This House is a Very, Very, Very Fine House.  It’s All Part of a Rock and Roll Fantasy.
Rock and roll is here to stay. It will never die — surely not on Charlie Knott’s watch. Fueled by his passion for rock music and admiration for the legends that perform it, this investment manager by profession has applied his means to a very specific end: A totally customized Chester Springs dream house complete with a unique salute to his favorite superstars; his own personal rock and roll hall of fame. 

The Music Room, as Knott and wife Katie call it, is the architectural focal point in a 6,000-square-foot addition the couple built onto architect Brooke Drinkwater’s 6,300-square-foot luxury spec home. “John Diamant, (the builder) called and said the Knotts loved the property but were only interested in buying the house if they could add something more,” recalls Drinkwater, who had no idea how extensive and dramatic that “something” would turn out to be. “The challenge with an addition of this magnitude was to maintain the integrity of the home’s exterior. It had to look like it was always there…not like we just stuck two different houses together.”

Mission definitely accomplished.  The affectionately dubbed Knott’s Landing is two separate structures seamlessly blended into one stately mansion, its graceful exterior devoid of even the slightest incongruity. 

In its original incarnation, Drinkwater’s concept was a nod to C.F.A Voysey, a turn of the century English architect influenced by the European Arts and Crafts Movement. Details that reflect the flavor of his style and the general genre — like a large overhanging roof and exquisite transom-style wood grill work — spill over into the new wing for a combined interior that is also consistent and unified. “The open grid work is a common theme in both wings, to sort of give a sense of separation and definition between the rooms. The effect is to engage your eye, to intrigue you to look out and see what is beyond.”

Though several of the functionally elegant architectural elements are Voysey inspired, the layout of the original spec property is strictly vintage Drinkwater. Her signature philosophy: Less space in the living room, to provide more room for actual living. “I like to decrease the size of the less used, formal areas and increase the size of what I call the private family areas in the back of the house — including the butler’s pantry, mudroom, laundry room, storage areas. These are the spaces people really want and need in their homes but somehow never get around to spending money on,” explains Drinkwater who enjoys the freedom of creating spec homes that deviate from standard cookie-cutter designs. “The whole back of the house, where the home office, kitchen, breakfast room, and sunroom are located, is private and sunny with great views. And it is separate from the formal entertainment areas.”

The Knotts had already downsized from their Exton home into a smaller single home in Hershey’s Mill. Katie had a feeling it was not where they would ultimately settle, though she never imagined upsizing again to this extent. “It is kind of a giggle, isn’t it? Here are these two people, living in this humongous house. It really is a contradiction in terms,” she says somewhat sheepishly, the first to acknowledge that 12,000 square feet are hardly cramped quarters for two.  “But we are so grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate this time in our lives in such a spectacular environment. It is really special.” 

Though the nest is huge, it is hardly empty. Charlie Knott is a collector extraordinaire.   His home is an expression of an eclectic assortment of interests, most prominently a love for music that is off the charts. In fact, Knott derives such joy from his vast treasure trove of rock and roll memorabilia, he erected an extra half of a house to showcase it. Driven by his vision, and list of very explicit goals, Drinkwater created a two-story, fantasy worthy addition in which the centerpiece is the aforementioned Music Room — a gargantuan space that is theater, entertainment venue, concert hall and museum rolled into one. Lining the walls are music mementos, including more than 50 framed guitars, each previously owned and signed by superstars, past and present. Represented are the likes of Elvis, Billy Joel, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, Genesis, Pink Floyd, The Bee Gees, Roy Orbison and The Rolling Stones. The beat from their collective spirit is palpable. 

Knott’s favorite keepsake is his first — and oddly enough, not actually a guitar. “In 1991 I got a chance to buy “Abbey Road,” the gold record that was issued to the Beatles. I bought it because I thought it was the Beatle’s most important record. I think it is my favorite because it was the beginning of all this,” explains Knott, gesturing around him. “Next I bought a guitar that Billy Joel signed and then it just mushroomed.”

The addition’s super-sized raison d’etre is on the upper level, thus facilitating a lower level that includes totally outfitted gaming and exercise rooms, a huge dressing room and bathroom, and a full-to-capacity wine cellar, large enough to accommodate a table for four as well as almost 5,000 bottles of wine.

If you go strictly by the numbers, Knott’s oenological zeal pales by comparison to his mania for music. Witness the tunes of his 19,000 CDs — now stored on an electronic server and available at the touch of a button. This is not to mention the drawers that line the perimeter of the music room, filled to the brim with DVDs of concerts, operas and movies. 

Providing ample storage was the least of Drinkwater’s issues in a room that had the potential to look — and sound — like a big empty barn. “Charlie didn’t want any windows in the room at all, but I had to insist we add some, especially because this room is in the front of the house, on the street.  I got nervous about how the neighbors would respond to a great big barn in the front of the house,” she laughs. To improve the quality of the room’s audio, Drinkwater installed an undulating sheet of punctured aluminum on the ceiling. “It was a hard sell at first,” she recalls shaking her head. “Nobody had ever seen anything like it before.” In the end, the futuristic finishing touch did much more than enhance the sounds of music. Like the floating glass bar, it has the “wow” factor, enthuses Drinkwater. “That’s exactly what Charlie was looking for.”

Who says you can’t get no satisfaction.  Yes, he knows it’s only rock and roll…but he likes it.