Dorado Village
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Leasing Information

Description

• 81 affordable units for very-low-income large families below 50% of AMI.
• Spacious One, Two, Three and Four bedroom units
• Off-street parking for each unit
• Three-story wood frame with stucco & brick masonry façade
• New construction
• Community Center, laundry and tot lot
• Placed in service in 1982

Developer
Pennrose Properties

Architect
GGK & Associates
Philadelphia, PA

General Contractor
Berel Company
Glenside, PA

Management
Pennrose Management Company

The Challenge

Dorado Village lies on one-and-one-half city blocks comprising about 2.7 acres in one of North Philadelphia's toughest sections.   When the Spanish Merchants Association sought to stabilize this neighborhood situated between the territory of two divergent ethnic groups, it was with a vision of creating an oasis of large affordable units for very large families below 50% of AMI.    They chose Pennrose as their developer.

The Solution

The design of Dorado Village reflects the sensitivity with which Pennrose approached the project.   The understanding developed during early meetings with the Spanish Merchants Association drove the finished product. Despite a density of about 30 units per acre with off-street parking spaces provided for each dwelling unit, the placement of the buildings still permitted a series of sheltered courtyards for the tenants' outdoor enjoyment. The central courtyard has a tot lot next to a small building with a community room and laundry. Architect Stephen Mark Goldner used flats, townhouses, and townhouses over flats to provide a variety of one, two, three, and four bedroom unit types and to vary the design of the façades and roofs. Appropriate architectural elements such as arches were incorporated within very tight budget restraints. Instead of common hallways that reduce unit space, each unit included a private grade-level entrance with private stairs for upper units.

This development underscores the Pennrose team's expertise in working with community groups to meet their need for quality affordable housing that will serve to stabilize their neighborhood.     Since it was placed in service in 1982, Dorado Village has been owned, managed, and maintained by Pennrose.