Designed by notable turn-of-the-century Philadelphia architect Charles Barton Keen, Ivy Hall is a splendid mansion in the scenic Overbrook section of Philadelphia, a short distance away from the Main Line, a quick walk from the Regional Rail, and only 20 minutes from Center City. Since its construction in 1904, Ivy Hall has been regarded as both an icon of the area’s history and a remarkable location for meetings, assemblies, office functions, and much more.
Ivy Hall contains all the luxuries of a modern venue while still embracing its status as a piece of Philadelphia history. The mansion is equipped with a prep kitchen and service kitchen off of a large formal dining room, making it the ideal location for catered affairs. It also features a gorgeous ballroom that is perfect for a variety of functions such as recitals, art exhibits, and educational lectures. In order to provide maximum accessibility, a majority of the rooms are wheelchair accessible.
Guests of Ivy Hall will also be impressed by the rich history and provenance behind the building. Ivy Hall was commissioned by the Hon. Charles Young Audenreid (1863 – 1930), a judge of the Court of Philadelphia. When running for Mayor of Philadelphia, Judge Audenreid enlarged the house with the classical ballroom on the second level and a large reception room on the first. The Audenreids were great benefactors of what was then known as the German Hospital of Philadelphia, now Lankenau Hospital and Medical Center.
The second owner of the home was the redoubtable Madame Florence Cowanova, who opened what was to become the premier dance school on the Main Line. She named the house Ivy Hall after the London home of her friend, famed Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, which was named Ivy House. Madame Cowanova taught hundreds of students a variety of dance styles over the years. Some of the more notable students include Academy Award winner Grace Kelly and renown comic actress, Imogene Coca. When you step foot in Ivy Hall, you’re also stepping into an integral part of Philadelphia history.
Ivy Hall was acquired by the non-profit International Institute for Culture and was magnificently restored under the direction the renowned classical architect Alvin Holm, A.I.A.
Want Ivy Hall to be the location for your next big event? Contact us through our online form, or give us a call at 215-877-9910.
