Freedom Lofts

• Philadelphia, PA

• 23-unit apartment building with roof deck and ground floor commercial

• 33,800sf

• completed 2023

• 2024 AIA Philadelphia Merit Award Winner for Historic Preservation/Adaptave Reuse

• project website: Freedom Lofts

general contractor: Tester Construction Group

photographer: Jeffrey Totaro

Freedom Lofts brings twenty-three new residential units and two commercial spaces to the Callowhill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Prior to development, the property consisted of two three-story, 19th century industrial buildings. 

Early in the design development phase, the team established the importance of maintaining a hierarchy between the existing buildings and the new construction addition. The existing buildings were to be the focal points, and the addition was to be a tasteful complement.   One challenge to rehabilitation projects is maintaining the building’s original character while also abiding by the modern building code requirements.  This building had previous purposes including a machine spring manufacturer (the name painted on the facade of the building) and Freedom Factory Motorcycles.

Freedom Lofts brings new life to the Callowhill area while maintaining the uniquely industrial fabric of the neighborhood.

AIA Philadelphia jury comments: “This was a thoughtful intervention that met programmatic demands and existing challenges in a clever way. The addition is clearly delineated- with a restrained modern palette- while still complementing the existing buildings. The decision to pull the new volume away from the existing edges pays homage to the existing buildings, letting their historic character shine.”