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historic preservation

Lynnewood Hall as it appears today. Most of the photographs that follow show the home of Peter A.B. Widener and his grandson Joseph in its prime. / Photo: [tk]; other photos and sources as indicated. All photos courtesy Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation
Property

Now That It’s Been Saved, What’s Next for Lynnewood Hall?

Lynnewood Hall has finally found its savior. The Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation (LHPF) now holds title to Peter A.B. Widener’s grand mansion in Elkins Park. […]

philadelphia athenaeum makeover
Property

A Historic Philly Library Gets a Facelift – And Then Some

Although the tax-supported free public library as we now know it didn’t come into existence until 1833, Philadelphia and its environs played a major role […]

philly architecture
City Life

Philly’s Rapid Redevelopment Is Putting Its Architectural Character at Risk

When the owners of Capogiro Gelato Artisans announced they were closing all locations in December, my social media feeds exploded. There was mass mourning; people […]

Property

A First Look at Toll’s Second Jewelers Row Tower

“It’s better than last year’s.” That’s the best thing that can be said about SLCE Architects’ reworked condominium tower for Toll Brothers City Living, which […]

Property

1911 Walnut to Be Mixed-Use, Mixed-Income Project

Southern Land Company appeared before the City Planning Commission today with a revised version of its proposed apartment tower on the last piece of open […]

Property

The Gershman Y Wins Historic Protection

A prominent South Broad Street landmark that now serves two purposes has been added to Philadelphia’s historic register over the objections of its owner. Liz […]

Property

Task Force to Revise City Preservation Policy

Mayor Jim Kenney has appointed a panel of developers, scholars, city officials and preservationists to recommend ways the city can better prevent its historic buildings […]

Property

Another Upgrade In the Works for The Wissahickon

Another sign of the slow-motion transformation of the rental property market in Germantown is the just-concluded sale of The Wissahickon, a landmark apartment building at […]

Property

Fishtown Church Will Live On As Live/Work Space

Preservation activist Oscar Beisert’s petition to add the Church of the Living Word in Fishtown, which began life as the Fifth Reformed Dutch Church, to […]

Property

Toll Takes Wraps Off Jewelers Row Tower

Toll Brothers City Living finally revealed what the condo tower it plans to build in place of three structures on historic Jewelers Row will look […]

City Life

Council Members Push to Protect More of Philly’s Historic Architecture

A bill introduced in City Council on Thursday morning could end up nearly doubling the budget of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, a small department charged […]

Property

Chinese Cultural Center Prepares for A New Future

A 185-year-old landmark in the heart of Chinatown is getting ready for a possible new lease on life once the legal hurdles are cleared. While […]

Citified

Will Threat to Jewelers Row Finally Unite Preservationists?

On one hand, it looks like a losing battle for preservationists. The five buildings on Jewelers Row that a developer wants to tear down and […]

Property

University City Preservation Tragedy: When Density Begets Dullness

One of the positive aspects of the current development boom in Philly is that long-underutilized land is being put to better use. Denser development makes […]

Property

A Midcentury Modern Apartment Complex Gets a 21st-Century Redo

I will confess it’s a little unsettling to report on a ribbon-cutting that includes the unveiling of a historic plaque on an apartment complex that was […]