October Advocacy Update

New Report: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Philadelphia

The Preservation Alliance is pleased to release Growing Through Preservation: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Philadelphia, a new report by PlaceEconomics that quantifies how preservation drives the city’s economy, housing, and community vitality.

This is the most comprehensive analysis ever conducted on how preservation affects Philadelphia’s economy, housing, and community fabric. As the city debates growth, housing, and development policy, we wanted data to demonstrate preservation’s role in those conversations.

Preservation is sometimes misconstructed as something that slows development. In reality, the report shows that rehabilitation of historic buildings generates more than $4 billion in investment, creates 2,500 jobs annually, and contributes to neighborhood diversity and affordability across the city.

The Love Park “Saucer” Earns Historic Designation

The former Philadelphia Hospitality Center at Love Park, affectionately known as the “Saucer,” has been officially added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.

Designed in 1959 by Roy F. Larson of Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson (H2L2), the Saucer has welcomed visitors to the western half of Center City for over 60 years. Its circular form and glass walls exemplify mid-century optimism and the International Style. Its location at the foot of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway bridges City Beautiful ideals of the early 20th century with the urban renewal spirit of the 1950s Penn Center redevelopment.

This designation marks the culmination of a decade-long advocacy effort by the Preservation Alliance and our Young Friends group, who first rallied to save the Saucer during the 2014 Love Park renovation. Though the building has remained vacant in recent years, the City’s recent rehabilitation has positioned it for a new chapter, and its addition to the Philadelphia Register ensures that this modern icon will continue to anchor one of Philadelphia’s most beloved civic spaces for generations to come.

A Symposium Looking at Reusing, Repurposing, and Reinvigorating the Roundhouse

We’re excited to share that six design teams have been selected to present their adaptive reuse concepts for Philadelphia’s iconic Police Administration Building at The Roundhouse Reimagined symposium, co-hosted by Docomomo PHL and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

From over 30 submissions, the following teams were chosen for their creativity, preservation sensitivity, and thoughtful responses to community needs:

·      Design Advocacy Group

·      Ian Smith Design Group

·      KieranTimberlake

·      Parallel Architecture Studio

·      RVA Architecture

·      SSPJ Design

Join us on Wednesday, October 29, from 12–6 PM at WHYY for an engaging afternoon featuring presentations from the selected teams, a keynote address by Alan Greenberger, and closing reflections from Inga Saffron.

(Eligible for 4 AIA LUs.)

We are saddened to report the loss of Lawnside, the 1859 Superintendent’s House on the historic Friends Hospital campus, due to arson. In mid-September, the vacant building was demolished following a fire that rendered it unsalvageable.

Constructed of coursed fieldstone amid the hospital’s park-like grounds, Lawnside was a rare surviving example of mid-19th-century institutional housing and a contributing structure to the National Historic Landmark designation of Friends Hospital, the nation’s first private psychiatric hospital, founded by Quakers in 1813.

In July 2023, the Philadelphia Historical Commission approved the building’s demolition to make way for a new public health center, despite strong community opposition and a robust preservation case advanced by the Preservation Alliance. At the time of its loss, the final appeal to the Commonwealth Court had not yet been resolved.

The destruction of Lawnside marks the end of a 166-year-old historic building and a long preservation effort aimed at balancing public needs with Philadelphia’s architectural heritage.​

Celebrating Philadelphia’s Cultural Icons, Robeson and Coltrane

October 10 marked significant milestones in the preservation of two of Philadelphia's most influential cultural landmarks.

The Paul Robeson House and Museum in West Philadelphia reopened after an extensive renovation of its annex. The newly renovated space now includes a 150-capacity event hall, expanded office and archive areas, and a renovated kitchen. The reopening ceremony featured performances by the Tyehimba African Drum Ensemble and remarks from local officials, including City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and State Senator Vincent Hughes.

In Strawberry Mansion, the John Coltrane House is undergoing restoration, thanks to a partnership between local and national organizations. The house, where Coltrane lived from 1952 to 1958, is being revitalized as a cultural landmark. At a community event, Ravi Coltrane, the jazz legend’s son, expressed his family’s excitement and support for the project. The restoration aims to honor Coltrane’s legacy and provide a space for artistic and spiritual growth.

Support for the restoration comes from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Mellon Foundation, the Strawberry Mansion CDC, the Coltrane Estate and the Ars Nova Workshop.

These efforts reflect a growing commitment to preserving Philadelphia's rich cultural heritage. The Preservation Alliance continues to support such initiatives, recognizing the importance of these sites in our city's history.

The Preservation Alliance mourns the loss of Randy Cotton. He was a founding staff member of the organization in 1996, having previously worked for many years with the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corp. At both organizations, he helped build and oversee our preservation easement program, which is still going strong today. He also served as interim executive director during leadership transitions.

Randy brought tremendous expertise and high integrity to his work, leaving his imprint on the organization that continues to be felt to this day. A memorial service will be held next month; details can be found in this obituary.