The last remaining high-rise public housing complex in West Philadelphia is slated for renovation. Plans are underway to transform the three vacant towers of West Park Apartments in West Powelton into a vibrant, mixed-income community.
Upon completion, the West Park project will break up the existing superblock, adding a significant number of units to the city’s affordable housing inventory. Construction is scheduled to begin in the 3rd quarter of 2025.
Highlights
- The Philadelphia Housing Authority is set to transform the West Park towers into a superblock.
- The project has set plans to create 1000 units, a major portion of which will be reserved for affordable housing.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in Q3 2025, with the first phase expected to be completed by late 2027 or early 2028.
West Park Towers Slated to Be Renovated and Offer Affordable Housing Once Again
The West Park Apartments were completed in 1964 and are owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Over the decades, the complex became unlivable due to a lack of repairs, forcing the last tenant to move out in 2022.
The high-rise development is located at 46th and Market Streets. In total, the three towers consist of 323 apartments with 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom floor plans. Landscaped green spaces and pedestrian paths separate the three elevator towers.
The transformation of the West Park property will occur in multiple phases. The first phase will work to renovate the three tower buildings, build townhomes, and a mid-rise apartment building. Most of the construction during this phase will happen close to the El, as the project prioritizes connection to the transit.
A transitional space along the graded pedestrian path connecting the train station to the rest of the complex will also be created. This phase will have a total price tag of $200 million and is slated for completion by late 2027 or early 2028. The second phase will commence 10 or 12 months after.
At the end of all the phases, a total of 1000 units will be available for renters. Plans also call for the reconnection with the street grid and introducing new, high-quality public spaces along the route to the El station.
About 600 of all the units, or 60%, will be deed-restricted. Forty percent of the units will be designated as deeply affordable, with another 20% reserved for residents earning between 40% and 60% of the area median income. The remaining 20% will be market-rate units aimed at individuals earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income.
By structuring the deal as a ground lease, PHA ensures it keeps control of the land and stays at the helm of key decisions. This move will protect long-term affordability and stay true to the project’s goals, according to a council member for the city. The property manager will be Greystar.
Philadelphia, like many other US cities, built high-rise apartment buildings in the mid-1900s for its affordable housing projects. However, the building proved to be not so ideal and was demolished one by one. The West Tower apartment complex is one of the last of its kind standing in Philadelphia.
