Adaptive reuse + Revitalization at WRT

Adaptive Reuse + Transformation

We believe design has the power to elevate history, to adapt, and to reimagine.

Our work is imbued with public purpose, creating healthier, more vibrant environments in which to live, work, learn, and play, while establishing vital frameworks to improve quality of life future generations.

We value the impact of our collective approach to create simple solutions for complex problems across scales. We serve communities and campuses by designing places that enhance the natural and social environment.

With offices in Philadelphia and San Francisco, we seek to initiate, understand, and execute projects that create simple and effective solutions. We embrace our roots of 59 years, and continue the legacy of design that has flowed through the firm for the past five decades. We apply our design and planning capabilities to the areas of Education, Housing and Neighborhoods, Communities, Parks and Open spaces.

Over the firm’s history, we have completed a diverse range of projects including urban design plans, adaptive and historic reuse, design guidelines, detailed designs, redevelopment/revitalization plans and designs, comprehensive plans, specific plans, and master transportation plans, plans, for landscapes and buildings. We have assisted public agencies and private development groups in dozens of communities, both large and small, in improving the quality of experience, and vitality of their urban settings.

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St. Luke's Manor C LE V EL AN D, OH IO

Built in 1927 and shuttered since 1999, Saint Luke’s Hospital is a National Historic Register building located in the Buckeye-Shaker Heights area of Cleveland, Ohio. It was purchased by Neighborhood Progress in 2006 with the intent of converting to residential units. WRT worked with Pennrose Properties, Neighborhood Progress, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, and the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office to design a mixed-use building with 139 affordable senior apartment units; office space for non-profit and service organizations; a charter school; and the historic rehabilitation of an existing 400-seat auditorium for community use.

Once a symbol of urban blight, a renovated Saint Luke’s is becoming the centerpiece of a community revitalization effort that is bringing stability and pride to the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood. The adaptive reuse of the 300,000+ square foot building changed 100% of the program with only minimal changes to the original structure. The renovated building is expected to achieve a minimum LEED NC silver certification, and contributed to the neighborhood’s LEED ND silver certification.

Awards National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Trust/Department Secretary’s Award for Excellence, Historic Preservation Affordable Housing Finance Magazine, Readers’ Choice Award Nation’s Best Affordable Housing Developments, Historic Rehab Category NAHRO | Award of Merit in Housing and Community Development wr td e sign.c om

1401 Walnut PH I L ADELPH I A , PA

The 1401 Walnut Street renovation project breathed new life into a landmark 100-year-old office building, converting it into 36 luxury condominiums. The one- and two-bedroom residences range from 1,700 - 2,450 SF, and offer dramatic city views and private outdoor space.

The design introduces a contemporary aesthetic that provides a striking contrast to the building’s neoclassical architecture. The project is located in Center City within walking distance of Philadelphia’s main business district, City Hall and “Avenue of the Arts” theatre and cultural district. Amenities include SubZero refrigerators, textured Italian tile, hardwood floors, and stone shower floors.

Awards General Building Contractors Association, Construction Excellence Awards - Best Adaptive Re-Use Project

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Blue Ball Dairy Barn WI LM I NGTON, DE

A local landmark in northern Delaware, the Blue Ball Dairy Barn complex was originally constructed to serve as the dairy farm for Nemours, the estate of Alfred I. du Pont near Wilmington. The $4.6 million restoration and adaptive reuse of the barn followed WRT’s comprehensive Alapocas Run State Park master plan, creating a focal point for the park that accommodates a visitor’s center, museum, and event facility. Undertaken in collaboration with John Milner Associates, the design involved a careful synergy of new technology and building systems with historic preservation, resulting in a complementary pairing of contemporary and historical structures.

Today, the Blue Ball Barn is a regional icon that holds a prominent location and serves as the gateway to the Brandywine Valley regional attractions extending into Pennsylvania. Restoring and adaptively reusing the Blue Ball Barn underscored the commitment of the owner and the project team to educate the public about the benefits of reuse and smart design. Sustainable features include an energy-efficient building envelope, mechanical system that did not interfere with the historic character, and an ecological approach to stormwater management. This project achieved a LEED Gold rating.

Awards Inaugural Awards Program for Designing the Parks partnership, NPS Honor Award AIA PA, Honor Award for Architectural Excellence AIA Philadelphia, Honor Award for Design Excellence AIA DE, Honor Award for Design, “Best of the Best” Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, Grand Jury Award Restoration and Adaptive Re-Use, Preservation Achievement Awards AIA DE, AIA Delaware Earth Day Award wr td e sign.c om

FringeArts PH I L ADELPH I A , PA

Once the site of a semi-abandoned historic pumping station at the foot of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, FringeArts celebrates Philadelphia’s industrial legacy.

FringeArts (formerly Philadelphia Live Arts Festival + Philly Fringe) engaged WRT to transform the historic High Pressure Fire Service building at Race Street & North Columbus Boulevard into a thriving arts center. Located at the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge and directly across from the new Race Street Pier the building houses the operation’s headquarters and serves as its flagship venue. The catalytic project includes a 234-seat black-box theater, event and rehearsal studio spaces, a plaza for outdoor seasonal events and picnic-style outdoor dining, a gastro-pub type restaurant, and office space for the organization. The new theater opened for the Philly Fringe Festival in September of 2013.

Awards Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award, 2015

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Levitt Pavillion SteelStacks B E TH LEH EM, PA

The project showcases the former Bethlehem Steel foundry’s blast furnaces as part of a unique cultural and entertainment campus. The master plan called for extensive reuse of buildings in addition to strategic infill of new construction to create a live, work, and play community. The project integrates parts of the country’s largest brownfield site into a sustainable urban fabric uniting north and south Bethlehem.

WRT’s landscape and architecture designs focused on the project’s public space, provided the unifying framework for new building programs, such as a Broadcast and Performing Arts Center, Visitor Center, Festival Center, and Music Park. The public space also serves as a “town square” for the local community, capable of hosting a farmers market, celebrations, and civic events.

The design includes a flexible foreground landscape that respects historic resources, is easily adaptable, and provides everyday attractions like interpretive and interactive displays. The parks and plazas include an outdoor stage supported by the Levitt Foundation for the Performing Arts, seating, lighting, informational/educational features, public art, and play elements.

Awards AIA, Tri-State, Honor Award AIA, Philadelphia, Merit Award AIA, Pennsylvania, Merit Award Engineering News Record, New York, Best Small Project Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Award for New Construction wr td e sign.c om

The National PH I L ADELPH I A , PA

Located next to the oldest street in Philadelphia within a neighborhood of converted lofts, the National is a mixed-use development that includes the reconstruction of a historically designated Art Deco facade. Rather than mimic the Deco, Colonial, or 19th century industrial context, WRT created a 21st Century design that meets the demands of the modern residential market, provides ground floor retail, and is sensitive to all of its neighbors.

The development is the result of neighborhood negotiations and Planning Commission approvals, and includes a six-story building above the historic façade. The scheme also includes a 10-story building and nine townhouses surrounding a landscaped pedestrian courtyard above one level of underground parking. The concept incorporates a green roof and a landscaped courtyard.

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HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS

John C. Anderson Apartments Philadelphia, PA

WRT has received more than 400 local and national planning and design awards.

WRT was recently honored by AIA Pennsylvania as the ‘Firm of the Year’ We were one of the first firms to tackle issues of ecological, social, and economic resiliency with large scale interventions and planning— something we remain committed to today.

WRT has received numerous design awards including the ASLA National Firm ward and the inaugural PA Excellence Award.

HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS

NC Five Philadelphia, PA

Noteworthy Accolades Paseo Verde Philadelphia, PA The nation’s first LEED Platinum Neighborhood Development certification (second in the world).

John C. Anderson Apartments Philadelphia, PA One of the first LGBTQIAfriendly affordable senior housing developments in the country.

Microsoft Campus Silicon Valley, CA The first Net-Zero Water campus in the nation (also LEED, Living Building Challenge, and Well Building Standard certifications).

GreenPlan Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA The city’s first integrated, sustainable city-wide open space planning framework.

PHILADELPHIA

SAN FRANCISCO

1700 Market Street Suite 2800 Philadelphia, PA 19103 T: 215.732.5215

478 Tehama Street Suite 2B San Francisco, CA 94103 T: 415.575.4722

www.wrtdesign.com