Land Development Today - July/August 2007 - (Page 18)

REDEVELOPMENT Reuse of Historic Buildings Becomes a Viable Strategy By Chris Reynolds As available land dwindles and antisprawl sentiment gathers in the metropolitan areas, especially in the Northeast corridor between Boston and Washington (DC), it’s no wonder that developers have increasingly turned to re-use and conversion of historic properties into residential and mixed-used developments. With their rich stock of high-quality buildings in historic neighborhoods, the older cities of the Northeast present conversion-minded developers with numerous opportunities - and with a unique set of challenges to address. Architecture and planning firm BartonPartners of Norristown, Pennsylvania, has recently taken a leading role in facilitating siting and development of several recent historic redevelopment plans. Two projects currently under way are The National in Philadelphia and the Vail Mansion in Morristown, New Jersey. The projects illustrate some of the complexities and rewards of urban historic redevelopment, and the win-win solutions available to forward-looking communities, developers, and planners. The National will add badly needed housing and retail capacity to one of Philadelphia’s hottest and priciest residential neighborhoods. Vail Mansion will provide Morristown with handsome parkland, parking, and a restaurant, all answering the needs of Morristown residents. Connecting Architecture in Philadelphia One of the last holdouts among the dozens of restaurant supply stores that once comprised a characteristic business sector in Philadelphia’s Old City, National Products boasted a landmark 1950s terra cotta tile façade, with the name of the enterprise emblazoned in stainless steel letters on the vertical sign that overhangs 2nd Street. The historically certified facade is among the icons of the Old City Historic District, along with Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the United States. Sensitivity to preserving these treasures was always important in development of The National, says Steve Patron, President and CEO of Paradigm Realty Alliance in Mount Laurel, NJ. Philadelphia's Old City Historic District is home to The National. The building (second from top) and site plan (third from top) are shown. (Courtesy of BartonPartners.) The Vail Mansion in Morristown, New Jersey, is undergoing renovations - here is a look at the exterior (top) and the interior's living room and kitchen (bottom). (Courtesy of Roseland Property Company.) 18 July/August 2007 Sustainable Land Development Today

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Land Development Today - July/August 2007

Cover Contents Our Voice: Industry Advocates Your Voice: Reader Response Cover Story: Preparing Your Tax Strategy The Rules of the Game Historical Redevelopment Project Profile: Seattle’s High Point Retention: From Ravine to Road Land Use: Picatinny Arsenal Mixed Use: Florida Offices Industry News Products/Services Showcase Classifieds Recommended Reading Advertiser Index Editorial Board The Last Word: What? Me Plan… Urban Development

Land Development Today - July/August 2007

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