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Posted Aug 2, 2017, 5:37 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Philadelphia
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Awaiting condo developer, Philly's historic Dilworth House suffers from neglect
Quote:
Amid high-rises and office buildings, modern architecture and refurbished condominiums, the quaint, Colonial-style house that sits on Washington Square stands out in more ways than one.
At just three stories and 3,800 square feet, the Dilworth House on South Sixth Street represents another time. With a pitched roof and white trim, the red brick house appears as if it’s withstood change for decades as the city has revitalized around it.
Yet that’s not the most surprising thing about the Dilworth House: While Washington Square has become some of Philadelphia’s premier real estate, the house has sat vacant for more than a decade. Paint on its classic white shutters has flaked and chipped. Boards have replaced windows. And in the backyard, grass, cut only sporadically, has grown tall. Last month, the city issued multiple violations against the owner for the lack of upkeep.
Over the last 16 years, big plans for the house have been made — and fought. When developer John Turchi Jr. and his wife purchased the house in 2001 for $1.75 million, they wanted to renovate and move in. Then, the plan shifted to demolition, and then partial demolition, to make way for a 16-story condo tower. A nearly decade-long legal battle involving Turchi, the city, and residents ensued, until finally, in 2015, the Commonwealth Court upheld Turchi’s plan: The Dilworth House’s rear and side wings could be demolished, and the condo tower was approved.
Yet today, no construction, no tower. Two years have passed since Turchi won approval, so why hasn’t anyone followed through?
According to Turchi’s lawyer, Philip S. Rosenzweig, Turchi, now 75, has “quietly” marketed the property and “was actively looking to see if there was a developer who would be willing to acquire the site and build it.”
“At the moment, there is no transaction happening, but the opportunity exists for one of Philadelphia’s preeminent developers to acquire the site,” Rosenzweig said. “Mr. Turchi is committed to the project. He has no intention of relinquishing.”
But tackling Turchi’s project will be no easy feat, according to developers, and city officials familiar with the site. Long-standing community tensions still permeate, and logistically, the experts said, construction would be difficult. Zoning variances are needed. Parking is problematic. The lot measures nearly 9,000 square feet — but the house takes up part of it — meaning a tower would be confined by not just height, but also width and depth.
“It’s a small lot — it’s like trying to stuff five pounds of cream cheese into a one pound bag,” said Councilman Allan Domb, known as the “Condo King” as a result of his real estate brokerage. “A developer would be buying into an environment where there has been a fight for 10 years and where residents are concerned about the impact on this small-sized land.”
“I’m not saying it can’t be done,” Domb said, “but I’d love to see the developer sit down with neighbors and see what works for everyone.”
Since Turchi began shopping it, the site has caught the eye of some of Philadelphia’s top developers. Tom Scannapieco — whose $17.85 million penthouse at 500 Walnut, right around the corner, broke the record for the most expensive residential sale — said he explored the possibility of buying the Dilworth site six to nine months ago, but walked away.
“This is one of the most contentious pieces of real estate in the city,” Scannapieco said. “… It’s frankly a heavy lift with an unknown ending.”
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Read more here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/re...-house-condo-redevelopment-20170805.html
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