This love story may be headed for a tragic ending. Faunbrook Inn on the corner of Rosedale and Bradford Aves goes up on Sheriff’s Sale on Thursday with a starting bid of just over $650,000 – or the outstanding debt on the property. Two years ago, the popular bed and breakfast was on the market for $1.75 million. 

Built in 1860 and designed by renowned local architect Samuel Sloan – he also designed Philadelphia’s Kirkbride’s Insane Asylum, Faunbrook was once the home of West Chester notable, Smedley Darlington. Mr. Darlington and his family used to host the town’s Fourth of July fireworks displays from his property overlooking the Brandywine Valley. That was 1867. 

Then sometime around the end of the twentieth century, the family estate was converted into a bed and breakfast. In 2008, Lori Zytkowicz purchased the property. For the next 15 years she lovingly handled all the inn’s management, guest, and breakfast duties (reportedly her favorite part of the job). Last summer, at the age of just 51, she passed away from cancer leaving the property unattended and debt ridden. However, it may not yet be too late for a happy ending. 

If you too delight in cooking breakfast for strangers, this charming 7200 square foot Victorian with 10 bedrooms, 10+ baths, two fountains, a pond, a waterfall, and countless stories could be yours for a steal. 

You can read the sale notice here.

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Originally published on Feb. 9, 2024

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