Brentwood
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Leasing Information

Description

• Complete historic restoration of landmark turn-of-the-century mansion style town homes
• 43 affordable apartments for both families and seniors

1996 Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

Preservation Achievement Award

1997 Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition  
Tax Credit Excellence Award

1997 American Institute of Architects

for transformation of formerly abandoned buildings into "gifts returned to the community"

Developer
Pennrose Properties
Parkside Historic Preservation Corporation

Architect
Campbell Thomas and Company
Philadelphia, PA

General Contractor
Domus, Inc
Philadelphia, PA

Management
Pennrose Management Company

The Challenge

In 1983, Parkside, a 105-acre section of West Philadelphia adjacent to Fairmount Park, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.   Settled between 1890 and 1900 by German brewers, Parkside contained an array of architecturally unified structures.   The historic designation obtained by the Parkside Historic Preservation Corporation (PHPC) affirmed the importance of saving the neighborhood's magnificent Flemish-revival homes.   It provided a mandate for the neighborhood's revitalization.   Pennrose recognized the community's potential and in 1994 joined PHPC in the historic rehabilitation of The Brentwood, the signature building of the neighborhood.  

The Solution

Designed by the architect H.E. Flower and built in 1897 as six mansion-style town homes for the wealthy, The Brentwood had been vacant for more than three decades and stood as a burnt-out shell in a deep state of disrepair. Pennrose assembled a substantial number of financial resources that included among others HTC and LIHTC equity to commence and sustain the project. The experienced development team created 43 well-appointed apartments affordable for families.   Pennrose devoted exceptional attention to each design detail and reconstructed the building utilizing quality materials worthy of such a prominent landmark.   The restoration of the Brentwood was recognized as being pivotal in the overall neighborhood revitalization effort as demonstrated by its 1997 AIA award as a "gift returned to the community."

The Brentwood project underscores the Pennrose Development Team's superior expertise in sensitive historic preservation.   Pennrose's work served as a catalyst for the Parkside revitalization effort.   Since its reopening in January 1997, Pennrose has owned, managed, and maintained The Brentwood.

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