Bernice Arms
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Leasing Information

Description

• Major transformation of vacant      apartment building situated within Historic District of Philadelphia
• $5 million Historic Restoration
• 46 affordable apartments within one complex for senior citizens
• Placed in service in 1998

Developer
Pennrose Properties

Architect
Designed by J. Ethan Fieldstein in 1928
Historic Restoration by Santos, Levy & Assoc.

General Contractor
Domus, Inc.
Philadelphia, PA

Management
Pennrose Management Co.

The Challenge

In 1998, the Cobbs Creek Automobile Suburb Historic District was entered onto the National Register of Historic Places.   Herein lay a handsome brick and limestone trimmed colonial revival walk-up apartment house, the Baltimore Court at 6000 Baltimore Avenue.   Designed by J. Ethan Fieldstein in 1928,   this landmark building was in a sorry state and in need of major rehabilitation.   Vacant, it was a contributor to the blight overtaking this Philadelphia neighborhood.   In concert with the efforts of West Philadelphia Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell to re-establish West Philadelphia as a desirable place to live, work, and visit, Pennrose undertook the historic restoration of this important property.  

The Solution

This Pennrose Development Team utilized funds from the City of Philadelphia, HTC and LIHTC Equity, and other financial resources to transform the building into 46 attractive apartments affordable for senior citizens. In so doing,   Pennrose was particularly sensitive to the traditions and history of the neighborhood.   The design team maintained as much as possible the footprint and character of the original building.   The restoration included new floor decks, roof deck, roofing, steel stairways, elevator shaft and elevator, security, electric, mechanical, plumbing and HVAC systems.   Opened for residency in 1998, this landmark building now stands as a vibrant part of West Philadelphia.

This affordable housing historic restoration underscores the Pennrose Development Team's expertise with adaptive reuse and its continued commitment to community revitalization.   The Bernice Arms Senior Complex is owned, managed, and maintained by Pennrose.  

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