PRESERVATION Preservation Alliance MATTERS for greater philadelphia THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA FALL 2006 landscape architect Margaret Lancaster Duncan, and consultant Greenbelt Knoll – Louis I. Kahn designed it. The mid-century Modern, one-story homes were integrated into the surrounding landscape and arranged so that each house had ample privacy while relating to Philadelphia’s Newest the other properties in an orderly pattern. Overhanging eaves, EXECUTIVE large windows, wood siding and decks and patios are characteris- DIRECTOR’S tic of each home. Charles Fuller, author of the nomination and MESSAGE Historic District long-time resident, explains, “Living in Greenbelt Knoll is like liv- Greenbelt Knoll, a modest suburban-style subdi- ing in a forest surrounded by trees, flowers—an occasional wild lthough the City of Philadelphia vision adjacent to Pennypack Park in Northeast animal—and quiet.” revised its Historic Preservation Philadelphia, became the most recent historic dis- The idea of nominating Greenbelt Knoll as an historic district Aordinance in 1985 to permit the trict to be listed on the Philadelphia Register of originated with the community as part of its efforts to celebrate its designation of historic districts, Phila- Historic Places when it was approved by the 50th anniversary. At a community brainstorming meeting, resi- delphia has made less use of historic dis- GPhiladelphia Historical Commission in June 2006. This marks the dent Art Friedman proposed nominating the neighborhood as an tricts to protect historic properties and first time the Commission has ArchitecturalArchives, University of Pennsylvania. The historic district after reading a neighborhood character than have other approved an historic district local newspaper article by Penn- cities. A survey conducted several years since the Old City Historic sylvania House Representative ago showed that while Philadelphia had District was approved in 2004 Michael McGehan about historic 9 historic districts New York had 79, and brings the number of dis- designation in Philadelphia. Many Chicago 53, Cleveland 22, and I’m even tricts listed on the Philadelphia residents were present at the told that Phoenix, Arizona, has 25! Register to ten. Historical Commission meeting The Preservation Alliance believes that Greenbelt Knoll is a residen- in June to support historic desig- the preservation of overall neighbor- tial subdivision created in 1956, nation. Original resident Virginia hood character is just as important as the by Morris Milgram, a pioneer Barlow was escorted to the meet- preservation of individual landmark in the development of racially ing by neighbors, and spoke of buildings. During the past year we have integrated residential commu- the importance this neighbor- begun several initiatives to promote and nities. This was Milgram’s first hood had for integration in the city support historic districts; a number of venture and, as stated in the of Philadelphia. In a later inter- these are described in this newsletter. But nomination, is historically view, Fuller added, “I’d like the no matter how hard we or neighborhood important “as the first planned city and residents of Philadelphia organizations try, historic districts will integrated suburban develop- Architect Louis I. Kahn presenting a signed architectural rendering to know that living in an integrat- not increase unless the Philadelphia ment in the city and one of the of a Greenbelt Knoll house to developers George Otto and Morris ed environment can happen, with- Historical Commission responds to first in the nation.”Original res- Milgram. LEFT TO RIGHT: Kahn, architects Newcomb Montgomery and out intolerance and the fears that nominations for new districts. idents included Milgram him- Robert Bishop, Otto, Milgram, and contractor William Jones, c. 1955. most people believe will occur.” There are now four historic districts self, U.S. Representative Robert Greenbelt Knoll was a major awaiting action by the Philadelphia N.C. Nix—the first African American to represent Pennsylvania in milestone in American open housing and civil rights movements Historical Commission: Spruce Hill, the U.S. Congress— and the Reverend Leon Sullivan. and is an excellent example of the organic vein of mid-20th cen- nominated in 2002; Overbrook Farms, The subdivision consists of 19 parcels, 18 of which are single- tury Modern architecture. The present and past residents deserve nominated in 2004; a small portion of family homes setback from Longford Street and bordered by our appreciation for preserving this important housing develop- East Falls, nominated in 2005; and woodlands. Greenbelt Knoll has changed little since architects ment and securing its designation as an historic district. Parkside, nominated in 2006 (see story Montgomery & Bishop with associate architect Harry Duncan, HISTORIC DISTRICTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 page 2). In addition, the Alliance is working with representatives of the Awbury Arboretum neighborhood and expects that a nomination for that area will be submitted in September. These Marine Club Protected By Easement five districts would provide protection to he Marine Club Condominiums at South Broad Street perpetuity but, in most cases, can provide the property owner approximately 3,400 historic properties. and Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, is the latest prop- with an (often) substantial federal-income tax deduction resulting No action has yet been taken by the Terty to be protected by a preservation easement held by from the donation of the easement. For more information on Historical Commission on any of these the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. The Alliance preservation easements contact Randy Cotton at randy@preserva- nominations. Nor has the Commission now administers nearly 200 easements protecting historic proper- tionalliance.com or 215.546.1146 x 2. given any indication to the community ties throughout the region. organizations that nominated these The property was originally designed and built in 1904 as the districts when it intends to take any Marine Quartermaster’s Depot. During World War I tens of thou- action on them. sands of U.S. soldiers were outfitted and equipped by more than Philadelphia lags woefully behind one thousand military and civilian workers operating at the other cities in the use of historic dis- Depot. Other activities at the Depot included the production of tricts to protect historic resources and mosquito nets, mess pans, helmets, uniforms, foot lockers and the character of its neighborhoods. It is stoves. Later, during WWII, 6,000 employees worked around the time for the Philadelphia Historical clock making uniforms, tents, lockers and bunks. Commission to respect the efforts of When the Marine Corps decommissioned the property, it was those communities that have spent converted to market-rate apartments and renamed the “Marine time and money to prepare historic Club”. Now, in keeping with the current demand for condomini- district nominations and bring all of ums, Marine Club Associates, LP – donors of the preservation these nominations to the Commission easement – is improving and selling the over 200 units as condo- for action within the next six months. miniums. The property is a convenient five-minute subway ride JOHN ANDREW GALLERY from City Hall. Executive Director Preservation easements not only protect historic properties in WWW.PRESERVATIONALLIANCE.COM fall 2006 preservation matters 1 HISTORIC DISTRICTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 resources, any future development of the area would fall under the jurisdiction of the Historical Commission, thus protecting the ADVOCACY UPDATES The Brentwood in the overall character of the district. proposed Parkside The survey of historic resources for the Historic District. Awbury district was undertaken by Reagan onsiderable progress wing of the house, which is not visible from Baydoun and David O’Malley, both gradu- Dilworth House 6th Street and Washington Square. ate students in the University of has been made in new proposal for the house of for- Both the Alliance and the Society Hill Pennsylvania Historic Preservation pro- preserving many of mer Mayor Richardson Dilworth Civic Association were encouraged that the gram using the same mapping technology the historic properties A(listed as an Endangered Property new plans included the preservation and data collection techniques that were C in 2004) has been presented by the property of the front portion of the property. developed for the Parkside nomination. that have been the focus of the owner, John Turchi. While earlier proposals, However, both organizations still have Dominque Hawkins AIA and Judy West, Preservation Alliance’s advocacy designed by the noted architect Robert concerns about various aspects of the new consultants to the Alliance for Parkside, Venturi, called for the complete demolition plan and have been discussing these con- trained the students and helped organize efforts in recent years. This includes of the house or all but the façade, the latest cerns with Mr. Turchi to see if this new the survey data. With the assistance of good news about a number of proposal preserves the front portion of the proposal could lead to a design all parties Awbury Arboretum residents and the sup- house and places a new condominium could support. The proposal is scheduled port of the staff of the Arboretum, the his- properties previously listed on tower on the rear portion of the site. This for review