4 Inspiring Adaptive Reuse Projects With Real Impact
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A circa-1893 abandoned textile warehouse at the corner of A Street and E. Indiana Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia’s economically disadvantaged Kensington neighborhood may not seem like an ideal candidate for renovation, but BartonPartners Architects and Planners had a goal to add much-needed affordable housing to the community.
In addition to 48 one-, two-, and three-bedroom subsidized apartments, the former warehouse now includes a community room, conference room, bike room, and a landscaped courtyard to reinforce the sense of social connection among residents.
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As important, the mixed-use development provides an anchor for the neighborhood and includes ground-floor commercial retail space.
The dilapidated five-story warehouse, built of heavy timber and brick, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. BartonPartners worked in tandem with other firms experienced in historical preservation to reconfigure the building and to restore features such as the original windows, ironwork, and brickwork.
Windows that were boarded up when the warehouse closed now boast intricate ironwork, while the apartments enjoy high ceilings with exposed beams, white-painted exposed brick walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing skyline views. The industrial feel of the development is enhanced by large pendant light fixtures and black window trim, along with structural columns that add definition to the open floor plans.
The adaptive reuse project was funded through a mix of sources, including federal historic tax credits, which provide an incentive for private developers to rehabilitate historical properties for income-producing uses such as rental units. Additional funding came from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
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