This has served as a private residence and a hotel during its long history. The exterior attic doorway to and porthole windows on the frieze are quite unusual.
Fort Gaines Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Brown House, Circa 1830, Fort Gaines
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
This home was purchased and turned into a haunted house attraction during the Halloween season.
Maybe the steps to the third floor are too small to be of any real use, or at least too small to move furniture, and they needed an easier access to the attic. There are a lot of buildings in Philly that have a door on the third floor. They have a wood beam that sticks out over the door with a pully on it, to pull furniture up.
Just a guess.
Have a great day.
I’ve never thought of this use, Pat, but how fascinating. Very likely on this building too, as it was most certainly a boardinghouse at some point…
So cool! We Brown’s always did do things a little bit different!!!
The front facade does have some classic features .