Luxury Home Remodeling & Historic Home Restoration in the Main Line & Philadelphia, PA
Mainline reBuild was formed with the mission to acquire and repurpose historically significant buildings for residential conversion throughout the Main Line. With combined decades of experience in real estate and historic preservation, our team has been recognized by Lower Merion Township’s HARB and on a national scale for adaptive reuse work — transforming architecturally significant buildings, from historic churches to Victorian-era estates, into distinctive residences that preserve what makes each property irreplaceable.
Building On A Legacy Of Craftsmanship
- Who We Are
Conversion and Preservation Rooted in the Main Line’s History
We are a Main Line development and restoration company with a mission to acquire buildings in need of renovation and repurpose them for residential conversion. Each project begins with a commitment to preserving architectural character — original masonry, structural woodwork, historically significant façades — while creating distinctive residences for buyers who value what makes these properties irreplaceable. Our team brings decades of combined experience in real estate and historic preservation, and includes HARB award recipients recognized at both the local and national level.
Our Vision
To preserve the Main Line’s architectural heritage by acquiring and converting historic buildings into residential communities that honor each property’s original character and contribute meaningfully to their neighborhoods.
Our Mission
Acquire historically significant buildings in need of renovation and repurpose them for residential conversion — creating distinctive residences for buyers who value craftsmanship, history, and what makes a property irreplaceable on the Main Line.
Mainline reBuild Team
General Contractor & Restoration Specialists
- Our Servies
Complete Home Remodeling & Home Improvement Services Throughout Pennsylvania
A kitchen remodel is usually the project with the most day-to-day impact on how a home feels to live in. We handle layout changes, cabinetry, and finishes for kitchens across Philadelphia and the Main Line, working within the constraints that older homes often present — load-bearing walls, outdated electrical, plumbing that needs rerouting.
Bathroom renovation on an older property almost always means dealing with plumbing that predates current code — galvanized pipe, outdated fixtures, and layouts built around fixtures that no longer exist. We handle everything from master bathroom remodels to smaller code-compliant updates, replacing aging plumbing where needed and addressing water damage common behind walls in older bathrooms.
Historic restoration is where Mainline reBuild started, and it's still the work we're most known for. Restoring a century-old property means matching original masonry, repairing plaster rather than replacing it with drywall, and navigating the permitting requirements that come with protected or landmark buildings. We've applied this approach across several Main Line adaptive reuse projects, including the conversion of a historic church into residential units.
A whole house renovation touches everything — layout, systems, finishes — and on a Main Line property that often means working around original architectural features worth preserving. We manage the full process from initial planning through final walkthrough, coordinating structural, electrical, and plumbing work alongside the design decisions homeowners are more directly involved in.
A finished basement adds real living space, but on older Main Line properties it also means dealing with moisture, drainage, and foundation issues that weren't a concern when the house was built. We handle basement remodeling with waterproofing and drainage as the starting point, not an afterthought — French drains, sump pump installation, and vapor barriers where needed — before any finishing work begins.
Converting a church, mill, or other landmark building into residential space requires a different kind of planning than a standard renovation. Structural systems, zoning, and historic preservation guidelines all shape what's possible before design work even begins. Our work on Narberth Place — the conversion of a historic church into condominium residences — is one example of how we approach these projects.
Adding square footage to a historic or older home means matching rooflines, siding, and architectural details closely enough that the addition doesn't read as an obvious add-on. We plan additions and extensions around the existing structure's proportions and materials, working through the permitting process required for changes to properties in Main Line historic districts where applicable.
Stone and brick exteriors are one of the most recognizable features of Main Line historic homes, and also one of the most commonly mishandled in renovations that don't account for how older masonry actually behaves. We repair and restore original masonry using materials and techniques suited to the building's age, rather than modern methods that can trap moisture and accelerate deterioration.
As general contractor, we manage the full scope of a renovation project — permitting, subcontractor coordination, scheduling, and budget — so homeowners aren't managing multiple trades directly. This applies across all project types, from a single-room remodel to a full home renovation or historic building conversion, throughout Philadelphia and the Main Line.
- Our Commitment
What Makes Us Different
Hassle-Free Process
From initial consultation to final delivery, we manage every stage of your whole house renovation or remodel so you don't have to.
Historic Property Expertise
Decades of experience navigating the unique challenges of restoring and adapting historic Main Line homes and buildings.
Local Contractor You Can Trust
A general contractor based on the Main Line, serving Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, and Narberth.
Built To Last
Quality craftsmanship designed for long-term durability, whether it's a full home renovation or a targeted remodel.
- Highlighted Real Projects
Featured Historic Renovation Projects Across Southeastern Pennsylvania
Mainline reBuild earned recognition for a distinctive approach to historic preservation: acquiring and converting architecturally significant Main Line buildings into residential communities. Projects featured in CBS News, Philadelphia Magazine, and Main Line Media News include:
- Narberth Place at Elm Hall — a stunning, historically significant building in Narberth housing six condominium units, each with a distinctive collection of design features preserved from the original structure.
- The Arbors at Athens — the former Ardmore Baptist Church, reimagined as five condominium residences while preserving key architectural elements of the original building.
- Gladwyne Commons — the former Gladwyne Methodist Church, converted into a mixed residential development including Righters Mill Place, The Chatham, Fellows Hall, The Drake, and The Parsonage Building.
- Barry House — three condominium units in a stately Narberth Victorian home, designed with contemporary open floor plans that are light-filled, practical, and charming.
- Vauclain Manor — three townhouses reminiscent of the Barry House era and a harmonious contribution to the Narberth Place streetscape.
The team includes HARB award winners from Lower Merion Township, recognized on a national scale for preservation work that honors original materials and architectural intent.
- Narberth, PA
- 12 Units \xe2\x80\x94 Condo & Townhome
- Elm Hall \xc2\xb7 Barry House \xc2\xb7 Vauclain Manor
- 3-Building Historic Complex
- How We Work
How We Approach Every Renovation
01
Initial Consultation
We assess your property, discuss your renovation goals, and outline a plan for your kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or full home restoration.
02
Historic Property Assessment
We review the property's history and existing structure to plan a renovation that respects its architectural character.
03
Project Execution
Our team manages construction with regular updates, keeping your renovation on schedule and on budget.
04
Final Delivery
We walk through the completed renovation with you, ensuring every detail meets our standards and yours.
A Closer Look at Our Restoration Work
Trusted Agency
Modern Design
Exclusive Property
Prime Location
Luxury Living
- Faqs
Have Questions In Your Mind? Get The Answers Now
Still Have Question?
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Our team of renovation experts is ready to help. Reach out and we’ll respond within one business day.
- Why Choose Us
Why Pennsylvania Homeowners Choose Mainline reBuild
Pennsylvania Historic Home Specialists
Historic properties don't respond well to a standard renovation approach, and that's the gap we built this company to fill. A few things set our process apart:
Historic property expertise
We've worked on landmark buildings and century-old homes long enough to know what generic contractors typically get wrong — from matching original materials to navigating preservation guidelines.
Licensed general contractor
Every project is managed under proper licensing and permitting, with subcontractors coordinated directly by our team.
Local Main Line experience
We know the municipalities, the permitting offices, and the architectural character of Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, and the surrounding communities.
Personalized project management
One point of contact manages your project from planning through completion.
- Service Area
Proudly Serving the Main Line & Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mainline reBuild provides home renovation, historic restoration, and remodeling services throughout the Main Line's residential communities, including Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, Narberth, Wayne, Haverford, and Wynnewood, as well as nearby Philadelphia neighborhoods. Our experience with the area's historic housing stock — from converted mills to Victorian-era homes — lets us plan renovations around the specific architectural character of southeastern Pennsylvania rather than applying a generic approach.
Main Line Communities
Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, Narberth, Wayne, Haverford & Wynnewood.
Philadelphia Area
Greater Philadelphia neighborhoods and the surrounding southeastern Pennsylvania region.
Historic Districts
Experience with protected and landmark properties requiring preservation review.
- Our Expertise
Remodeling Historic Homes Requires More Than Construction Experience
Renovating a historic home isn't just a matter of updating finishes — it means confronting whatever's behind the walls. Older Main Line properties frequently have galvanized plumbing that's decades past its intended lifespan, knob-and-tube wiring that doesn't meet current code, and foundations without the drainage systems modern homes are built with. We've seen firsthand how water damage from aging plumbing or poor drainage can go unnoticed for years in a historic property. Every renovation we take on includes an assessment of the building's structural integrity, plumbing condition, and moisture control.
Aging Plumbing
Galvanized and original plumbing systems decades past their intended lifespan — identified and replaced before finishing work begins.
Outdated Electrical
Knob-and-tube wiring that doesn't meet current code, assessed and updated as part of every whole-home renovation.
Moisture & Drainage
Foundation drainage issues and water damage behind walls — common in older Main Line properties and addressed before any rebuild.
- Articles & Insights
Latest Insights
Practical guidance on renovation, historic preservation, and home systems from the Mainline reBuild team.
Mainline reBuild is a general contractor specializing in historic home restoration, whole home renovation, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling throughout the Main Line and greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From adaptive reuse projects like the conversion of a historic church into residential units, to basement remodeling, additions, and exterior restoration, our work is built around preserving what makes a property distinctive while making it function for how people live today. Our projects regularly involve updating aging plumbing, electrical systems, waterproofing, and other critical home infrastructure to ensure historic homes remain functional for future generations.