HERRINGBONE LOFTS
2501 Oakford St, Philadelphia, PA
SPA was engaged early to help the owners maximize the use of the building through a number of feasibility studies. As with all of our work, it was important that we not only understood the programmatic and structural needs of the building but also that we took the time to fully grasp the clients desires.
A former factory/warehouse for the Howard Clothes Company constructed sometime between 1918 and 1930 has been underutilized for years. The brick, heavy timber and steel structure originally incorporated four stories and a basement. In 2011 the first floor was removed to create a double height space with ramped vehicle access. The building served as a warehouse on the ground floor, while the upper levels remained vacant.
The adaptive reuse project consists of a large commercial space, apartment units and amenity spaces, including a conference room, media room, gym, bike room, and more.
IMAGE © HERRINGBONE LOFTS
Due to the lack of use and maintenance over the years, substantial capital investments were needed to stabilize the structure and make it attractive to new tenants. Throughout the design phases, we applied and tested the initial principles at progressively more refined and detailed scales working closely with our clients and a carefully assembled team of experienced and capable consultants.
This adaptive reuse project included the addition of a fifth floor to maximize the potential number of units and collaborative spaces. The addition is set back and finished in a different material from the historic structure to keep the intentions of the original architect clear. Cor-Ten steel was introduced to the facade design as a simple, yet visually effective new spandrel that highlights the verticality of the brick structure .
IMAGE © HERRINGBONE LOFTS
IMAGE © HERRINGBONE LOFTS
With each phase of design we seek to find the best balance between aesthetic, pragmatic, and financial considerations in a timely manner. Oakford transformed an underutilized factory/ warehouse into a modern mixed-use building, integrating modern conveniences with the character of the historic structure.
IMAGE © HERRINGBONE LOFTS
IMAGE © HERRINGBONE LOFTS
Construction progress reported by Philadelphia YIMBY
Featured by AIA Philadelphia in CONTEXT magazine.
