Sept. 9
By Thomas J. Walsh
For PlanPhilly
Early Tuesday afternoon, the review board of the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections overturned the Historical Commission’s unanimous approval for the restructuring of the Dilworth House on Washington Square and the accompanying development of a 17-story residential tower.
The decision came hours after the Zoning Board of Adjustment tabled further deliberations on the variances sought for the project. Attorneys were told to schedule a special meeting to hear yet more witness testimony. Between the three city agencies, many hours of testimony have been heard in 2008 alone, but today’s events are just the latest in a saga that stretches back at least four years.
Attorney Paul Boni, representing the Society Hill Civic Association (where he is a board member), was pleased with L&I Review Board’s decision.
“The new construction would be inconsistent with historic preservation standards,” Boni said, explaining that what the Historical Commission deemed an “alteration,” he feels is simply a “demolition.” “That in large part speaks to scale and massing. We always thought grafting a 17-story condo onto the back of a three-story house was a bad idea.”
The planned tower would be developed above the existing Colonial Revival Dilworth House on South Sixth Street, built by Mayor Richardson Dilworth in the 1950s. It’s next door to the historic Athenæum of Philadelphia, a 19th century architectural and design library, and plans called for merging the buildings with a dedicated floor for the Athenæum’s use. The plans called for keeping much of the original home intact.
Architect Robert Venturi designed the unique project for developer and owner John Turchi. It was unanimously approved by the Philadelphia Historical Commission after modifications were made to the design, but the SHCA and John Gallery, director of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, continued to fight the ruling.
“I find this to be a shocking decision,” said Craig Schelter, a planner and longtime active city development official who acts as a consultant to Turchi. “This project is exactly what Society Hill was always about – the notion of blending old and new ... a world-class architect, everything.”
Neil Sklaroff, the Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll lawyer representing Turchi, said he was taken aback by the ruling, but would continue to seek the zoning variance. Within the next few days, he said, a decision will be made on possible next steps, including bringing the matter before the Court of Common Pleas.
“L&I set aside a unanimous decision of the Historical Commission, made up of experts in historical preservation,” Sklaroff said. “We think the experts got it right.”
Customarily, L&I does not explain its decisions unless an appeal is filed. The board met five times to hear testimony on the issue, the last time on July 31.
“The ball’s in their court,” said Boni. “I think the board at L&I today was refreshingly independent. In the past, the board has all too often just affirmed whatever the agencies have done.”
Contact the reporter at thomaswalsh1@gmail.com.
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