CANAL FARM – Bucks County

CANAL FARM . BUCKS COUNTY

185 Headquarters Rd, Erwinna, PA 18920

Owner: Giles S. Gianelloni

Ownership Years: 1967-1977
This home last sold for $1,500,000 on Sep 18, 2014
Owner Estimate $1,893,389
Year Built: 1852
Renovations by Gianelloni: 1967-1969
Residence + Acreage (155 acres)
Estimate as of Apr 28, 2022 = $2,102,200

A fabulous equestrian estate perfectly balancing elegance and informality. Encompassing 158 bucolic acres of Bucks County horse country, this postcard perfect gentleman’s farm is ideal for the horse enthusiast as a weekender or full time residence. Anchored by an 1860 white painted brick Federal home as its main residence, the setting is perfectly balanced with the 2 horse barns situated at the far end of a vast verdant lawn, numerous fenced paddocks and a 170-year old bank barn serving as the backdrop for the pool/club house. The third barn that has been converted into an artist studio and a separate guest/caretaker’s apartment complete the structural elements of this property. Entering the gated grounds and winding around the drive, the main residence comes shyly into view. A flagstone path and terrace lead you from the gravel drive to the historic 4-bedroom home. Enter through a stately country foyer with a massive “cooks” fireplace on thru to the wood planked floored formal living room with fireplace, library with fireplace, dining room and kitchen, which also homes an oversized fireplace. On the upper level is the dramatically renovated and light-filled master suite with gallery hall, fabulous distant pastoral views and a Juliette balcony. The horse barns have elegant brick herringbone floors, 12×12 box stalls and wash area. There are 12 stalls in the main barn and 9 in the mirror image smaller barn. If you dream of even more for your personalized compound, the bank barn has fantastic raw space awaiting your inspiration. Dream, gaze and relax in what is undeniably a sophisticated take on country living. Easily commutable to NYC and Philadelphia. An existing private 600-ft. sod landing strip on the outer parcel is used for small aircraft and sail plane landings. The barn has been used to store the owner’s sail plane as well as antique automobile storage and similar craft memorabilia. A 100-ft. water well outhouse is set to the barn perimeter.

185 HEADQUARTERS, ERWINNA, PENNSYLVANIA
My father Giles Sabin Gianelloni purchased this property in 1967 which included main farmhouse, several barn structures and 158 acres from Headquarters Road down to the River. He leased the land to local farmers, installed sod landing strip, converted smaller barn into weekend retreat home while main house was being renovated from its poor existing condition and added 2-story guest house attached to garage with 2nd floor semi-enclosed balcony. Large barn remained as hay storage and machinery. Added new side entry road to direct access to farmhouse which was significantly renovated with modern fixtures and much needed TLC. Added glassed-in greenhouse over existing porch, planted significant trees, grape vines, and protected all wildlife (geese, deer, guinea hens) from hunters trying to access property. Our family lived there for about 10 years. Received many offers to subdivide acreage for developers but held back to retain property as a private homestead. Wonderful memories. Mr. Gianelloni passed away in 2012 at 91 years of age and fondly remembered the gentleman’s farm he resurrected. We have many land and aerial photos taken as Mr. Gianelloni was an avid private pilot and enjoyed using his soaring glider at nearby VanSant Airport where he created a towing business for fellow glider pilots.  
Submitted by his daughter, Meg (Gianelloni) McDonough.  Aug 9, 2015