A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has revealed that renovation work is underway at 115 East Huntingdon Street in West Kensington, where a five-story prewar building is being converted into a 56-unit mixed-use development, which is part of Project HOME, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and support services to socially vulnerable populations. Located on the Episcopal Campus of the Temple University Hospital, the development will offer two elevators, full sprinkling, and support staff. Permits list a project team of Cecil Baker + Partners Architects as the designer, the hospital’s Project HOME as the owner/developer, and T. N. Ward Company as the contractor. Construction costs are specified at $14.9 million.
115 East Huntingdon Street prior to renovation. Credit: Google Maps
115 East Huntingdon Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2022
Upon completion, the roughly 50,000-square-foot development will house accessory functions and amenities, which include a fitness center and storage for 19 bicycles, at the floor (also marked as the first story), two group living units with single-room residences and eight entry-level beds on the first floor above, and 54 apartments on floors two through four (or through level five by the alternate count).
Project HOME provides affordable supporting housing to persons in need of support, particularly those that have experienced homelessness and/or substance abuse issues. The latest development at 115 East Huntingdon Street is Project HOME’s 21st residence in the city and second in Kensington. The project will boost Project HOME’s total unit count throughout the city to 1,030.
115 East Huntingdon Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2022
The development at 115 East Huntingdon Street will provide its residents with support services for mental illness and substance abuse, among other issues, while also providing employment and education assistance.
The project’s funding partners include, among others, MPOWER, an initiative spearheaded by Leigh and John Middleton, the principal owner of the Phillies, and musician Jon Bon Jovi and his JBJ Soul Foundation.
The New Jersey-native star was present at the November 15 groundbreaking for the facility at 115 East Huntingdon Street. At the time of the groundbreaking, WHYY quoted Bon Jovi stating that “our mission is not just offering someone shelter, but also to end homelessness, hunger and poverty, one soul at a time,” adding that “we’re going to lend a helping hand to Project HOME’s outreach team, coming into this community every day to remind people that they, in fact, are not forgotten.”
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Bravo to…
John Middleton, the principal owner of the Phillies, and musician Jon Bon Jovi and his JBJ Soul Foundation.
The city could use more of these rich people who have the means to alleviate the downtrodden.