Faced with a dwindling congregation and shrinking cash flow, the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral found itself in a conundrum that vexes many urban churches: how to fund the modernization of its cathedral (circa 1855) and maintain operations.
HONORABLE MENTION
3737 Chestnut, Philadelphia, Pa.
Luckily for PEC, the cathedral and its two rectory buildings sit on coveted land near Philadelphia’s booming University City innovation district. Church leaders partnered with Radnor Property Group to demolish the rectory buildings to make way for a 25-story, 276-unit multifamily tower and a three-story, 33,000-sf office building that includes below-grade parking and offices for church staff. The creative development strategy provided much-needed funding for PEC and upgraded facilities for the church’s operations and programs.
“What’s remarkable about the project is that they were able to pull it off—to find common ground, to save the church,” said awards judge Peter Ousley, Project Executive with Lendlease. “It’s an impressive feat given the complexity of the development.”
How will you decorate your 3737 Chestnut living room when you move in? pic.twitter.com/YXupzESINp
— 3737 Chestnut (@3737Chestnut) May 29, 2015
BUILDING TEAM
+Submitting firm: BLT Architects (architect)
+Owner: Radnor Property Group, Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
+Interior architects: Hartman Design Group, SPG3 Architects
+Structural: The Harman Group
+MEP: Bala Engineering
+Acoustics: Metropolitan Acoustics
+Lighting: Grenald Waldron Associates
+Civil: Boles, Smyth Associates
+GC: Intech Construction
GENERAL INFORMATION
Project size: 347,000 sf
Construction cost: $81 million
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 11, 2021
BD+C Awards Programs
Entry information and past winners for Building Design+Construction's two major awards programs: 40 Under 40 and Giants 400
Building Team Awards | Mar 12, 2021
2021 Building Team Awards Entry Information
Only new construction projects completed on or after January 1, 2020 are eligible. Deadline for submissions: May 14, 2021.
Building Team Awards | Mar 12, 2021
Deadline extended for the 2021 Building Team Awards
BD+C's Building Team Awards is the industry's only recognition program to honor projects that achieve excellence in both design/construction and collaboration of the AEC/O team. Deadline for entries: May 14, 2021.
Building Team Awards | Nov 4, 2020
12 projects earn BD+C's 2020 Building Team Awards
The Statue of Liberty Museum, Allianz Field, and the Long Beach Civic Center are three of the projects awarded with BD+C's 2020 Building Team Awards.
Building Team Awards | Nov 3, 2020
Birmingham's haven for the homeless
A coalition of ministries raised millions to build a new home for homeless men in Alabama’s largest city. The Firehouse Shelter wins Honorable Mention in the 2020 Building Team Awards.
Building Team Awards | Nov 2, 2020
It's back to the future for this contractor
Poettker Construction’s new headquarters in rural Breese, Ill., is recognized with a Bronze Award in BD+C’s 2020 Building Team Awards.
Building Team Awards | Nov 2, 2020
Long Beach gets a municipal marvel
The Long Beach Civic Center is honored with a Bronze Award in the 2020 Building Team Awards.
