917 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Behind the handsome brick facade of the c. 1885 Annie S. Kemerer House is 3,426 SF of charmingly chic living space, an extraordinarily deep yard, multiple porches and a detached three-car garage, all in an established in-town setting just blocks from Downtown Bethlehem. A familiar presence along Main Street, though not listed on the Historic Registry, the house retains the proportions and character of its late-19th century Victorian origins. Tall windows, high ceilings and generously scaled rooms unfold across three floors, offering tremendous flexibility for a buyer with imagination. The home is presently configured into multiple living areas, but its size and underlying residential character suggest exciting possibilities for creating a distinctive single residence. The first floor stretches deep into the property, opening to both a covered porch and a wonderful screened porch overlooking the backyard. Upstairs, large rooms and additional living spaces continue across the second and third floors, providing abundant room for bedrooms, offices, studios, guest accommodations or whatever arrangement suits the next owner. The deep parcel creates an unusually generous lawn and garden setting that feels remarkably removed from the city just beyond it. Mature plantings, established beds and pathways connect the house, porches and rear of the property, creating the feeling of a private urban garden. It is an unexpected amount of outdoor space for an in-town home. Completing the property is a detached 3-car garage with convenient rear access and 4-car driveway parking, along with approximately 1,150 square feet of basement space for mechanicals and storage. For the buyer drawn to older homes, this is an opportunity to work with something authentic rather than recreate it: substantial brick construction, wonderful scale, flexible rooms and a property that has evolved over a century and a half. Reimagine it as one expansive residence, explore a combination of private and supplemental living space, or simply appreciate the possibilities inherent in its current arrangement. This is a house with history, presence and, perhaps most importantly, room for another chapter.

An uncommon opportunity in the heart of Bethlehem, 917 Main Street offers the scale, character and flexibility rarely found in a residential investment property this close to the city’s historic core. Familiar to many who know this stretch of Main Street, the substantial c. 1885 brick residence encompasses approximately 3,426 SF above grade and is currently arranged as four separate living units. The existing configuration provides a variety of layouts across three levels, including multiple kitchens and baths, generously proportioned rooms and individual living spaces that retain the character of the original home. High ceilings, tall windows, substantial room sizes and period architectural details speak to the building’s late-19th-century Victorian origins, while its long history of adaptation illustrates just how versatile the property can be. What truly distinguishes 917 Main Street is what lies beyond the building itself. The unusually deep lot opens to a surprisingly expansive and private rear lawn — an unexpected oasis in this in-town setting. A covered porch and large screened porch extend the living space outdoors, while mature plantings and established landscaping create an appealing garden environment for residents. At the far end of the property, a detached three-car garage with rear access adds an especially valuable amenity. Additional basement space provides approximately 1,150 SF for storage and mechanicals, with painted masonry walls, distinctive arched openings and direct utility value. For the investor, the property presents an intriguing combination: substantial square footage, multiple existing living areas, outdoor space, garage parking and a highly convenient Bethlehem location. Its configuration also offers an opportunity for a future owner to evaluate improvements, repositioning or alternative use according to their investment objectives. A property with this much space inside and out is difficult to replicate in an established city neighborhood. 917 Main Street is not simply a multi-unit building; it is a distinctive piece of Bethlehem’s residential fabric with remarkable potential for its next chapter.