December Advocacy Update

Proposed Amendment to Philadelphia’s Historic Preservation Ordinance

On November 20, Bill No. 251030 was introduced in Philadelphia City Council proposing amendments to Chapter 14-1000 of the Philadelphia Code, which governs the designation and protection of historic buildings and districts. As introduced, many provisions would significantly weaken the ordnance by changing how historic designations are initiated, how notice is provided, and how building permit applications are handled during the designation process. Read our impact analysis of the legislation to learn more.

At its December 4 meeting, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission voted to issue a 45-day hold on the bill. Read the Preservation Alliance's testimony here. This hold allows for additional time to review and discuss before the legislation advances to a public hearing before the City Council Rules Committee, most likely in February or early March.

During this period, the Preservation Alliance is meeting with Councilmember Squilla, the Department of Planning and Development, the Historical Commission, and other stakeholders to address the concerns raised in our impact analysis and to pursue revisions that strengthen, rather than weaken, Philadelphia’s historic preservation ordinance. We will keep our members informed as next steps are scheduled in the new year.

December Architectural Committee Highlights

At the December 16 Architectural Committee meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, three important projects moved forward with reviews. Each reflects thoughtful approaches to reuse and reinvestment that align with the Alliance’s goal of preservation-minded development.

New plans for the historic Wanamaker Building were reviewed that would transform much of the former department store into a mixed-use destination. Proposed changes include a reimagined retail space with new street-level entries and signage and a revitalized Grand Court with improved natural light and historic paint scheme.

The Committee also reviewed a proposal to convert St. John’s Baptist Church at 13th and Tasker into 26 apartments. This adaptive reuse leverages a 2019 city zoning law that encourages the conversion of large historic buildings, such as churches, into productive uses while preserving their character. Discussion focused on how to refine exterior alterations, such as dormers and roof materials, to be more sensitive to the church’s appearance.

Also reviewed in concept were plans for the Conkling-Armstrong Houses in Nicetown-Tioga, a striking pair of 1898 Chateauesque homes noted for their ornate terra cotta detailing. The proposal would restore the historic facades and add compatible new construction (rendering shown here) at the rear to support new residential units, an investment that would stabilize and revitalize these architecturally significant structures.

Join the Preservation Alliance and PlaceEconomics on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 PM for a free public presentation and discussion of Growing Through Preservation: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Philadelphia.

Hosted by the Design Advocacy Group, this program will highlight new research that quantifies how historic preservation strengthens Philadelphia’s economy, housing supply, and neighborhood vitality.

The study finds that rehabilitation of historic buildings has generated more than $4 billion in investment citywide, supports approximately 2,500 jobs annually, and plays a critical role in sustaining diverse and affordable communities. The presentation will share key findings and explore their implications for urban design, development, and public policy.

We are also grateful to the University City Historical Society, Development Workshop, Crosstown Coalition, and ULI for inviting us to present this report to their members in recent weeks. If you are part of a group or organization that would be interested in hosting a presentation, please email us, we would love to work with you!​