Melmar Today | Melmar

The original entry pillars and gates still exist, but are now the entrance to the subdivision, not just the Melmar Mansion

Melmar has had several owners since the Biddle's sold the Estate in 1981, and has been completed refurbished both inside and out. The original entry pillars still exist at the Biddle Estates subdivision entrance off of Moredon road (picture to the left), however, the Melmar Mansion now only occupies 2.1 acres of the original estate and is located in the middle of the current Biddle Estates neighborhood. While the Biddle's occupied Melmar, their mailing address was Bethayres (see letter below), which has now changed to a Huntingdon Valley address.

Old letter addressed to Nicholas Biddle showing an address of simply:
"Moreland Rd. Bethayers, Pa"

Melmar can be accessed from either the main entrance on Melmar Rd, or the long driveway from Stokes Circle. With over 12,000 square feet of asphalt and concrete driveway, there is paved parking for more than 50 cars

The Entrance from Melmar Rd is flanked by 2 stone entry pillars capped with Bluestone slabs each topped with Pier Lanterns

The Entrance from the Stokes Circle cul-de-sac is a long driveway
that is lined with a 60 ft long row of Holly Bushes, a massive 21ft circumference Linden tree, and a 12ft circumfernce American Beech tree

A circular Belgian Block lined landscape with 3 tier Fountain and stamped concrete drive lead to Melmar's Grand Entry

Belgian Block lined landscaped circular entry with 3 tier Fountain

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth controlled multicolor LED landscape lighting provides security as well as decorative options for Melmar

The 1965 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III in the photo to the left also has historical provenance.
Click below for further history of the
Melmar Rolls Royce

Grand Entry

Melmar's Grand Entry features Pennsylvania Bluestone steps faced with Mainline Mica stone leading to a covered 450 square foot Mahogany Portico supported by four with massive fluted Greek Ionic columns

Melmar's ornate Entry with a solid Italian Marble footer

Fountains

Steps, Walks, & Retaining Walls

400 square feet of stamped concrete walks lead to two 8ft Pennsylvania Bluestone steps faced with Mainline Mica stone providing access to Melmar's Grand Entry

Four 20ft Custom Curved Pennsylvania Bluestone Steps faced with Mainline Mica stone lead to a large Bluestone Landing and a 30ft Bluestone Walk lined with Onyx & Shale Grey Techo-Bloc Squadra Pavers that provides access to
Melmar's Rear Portico Entry

Trex Transcend Lava Rock steps faced with Mainline Mica stone flanked by four Greek Ionic Columns topped with Pier Lights lead to the Kitchen Deck

Custom Trex Transcend Lava Rock & Island Mist steps leading from the Courtyard to the Pool Bath

Limestone & Bluestone cap pics

xx square feet of Mainline Mica stone retaining walls capped with 4in solid Limestone and Bluestone caps

xx Solid Limestone Steps

Portico's, Patio's & Decks

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Grand Foyer

Picture Caption....

The Crystal Chandelier in the Grand Foyer was purchased and installed by J. Bertram Lippincott and Anna Wharton Lippincott when "Melmar" was originally built in 1910.

The magnificent 1975 Herschede Hernando DeSoto Model 112 9 Tube Grandfather Clock in the Grand Foyer was a generous gift from Dr Augusto Adrid (1930-2025) and his wife Mrs. Billie Adrid to Melmar's current owners Rod & Cathy Nadal. The Adrid's were close friends on Rod's parents, Dr Ramon (1936-1997) and Karen Nadal. Dr Adrid was the former Director of Surgery at both Lower Bucks Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in Pennsylvania. Below is the description of the clock from the manufacturer:

The World's Finest Grandfather Hall Clocks, a symbol of wealth for the elite
The Herschede Hall Clock is superior to all Grandfather clocks and is exquisite for an exquisite home for an exquisite owner
Ornate shell carving graces Oak wood solids and veneers
Leaded glass front door with amber corner inserts, beveled side glass
9 tube, triple chime movement, moving moon, hand-engraved, gold-plated dial
Purely American Made

The walls of the Grand Foyer are dressed in Chinese silk wallpaper that was custom made in Hong Kong according to prior owner David Katzen's drafted specifications, and installed in the late 1980's.