The National, 121 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
PHILADELPHIA, PA—The National, a 220,000 square foot, 192-unit mixed use apartment building, has opened in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood, adjacent to Elfreth's Alley, a historic landmark and one of the most heavily foot-trafficked sites in Philadelphia.
The Harman Group, which specializes in structural engineering and parking planning and design, provided structural engineering services for the six-story project. The project was developed by The Buccini/Pollin Group in partnership with AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust and designed by architect BartonPartners.
“We are honored to be a part of the team who brought this historic location back to life,” say Jason Squitiere, associate and project manager at The Harman Group. “The Harman Group's extensive mixed use and historic renovation experience allowed us to determine the best structural systems for the building's different uses, so we could optimize the amenity, retail, and residential spaces for Old City.”
The structural system designed by The Harman Group used structural steel for the first floor and parking garage, supporting cold-formed bearing walls and wood trusses for the upper five floors. THG also provided parking planning consultation to the architect.
The National features 4,000 square feet of retail and amenity spaces on the first floor, sweeping views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Delaware River and a two-level underground parking garage with space for 60 cars. At the northwest corner of the site, the former parking lot has been transformed into a public park for residents and visitors to Elfreth's Alley.
The former National Products Company site has a deep history in Philadelphia and is recognized by the Philadelphia Historic Commission for its iconic orange tile façade, which was remarkably replicated in the new facade on the North 2nd Street elevation. The new building pays homage to the site's former occupant by including the original stainless-steel sign from the restaurant supply building.
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Steve Lubetkin
Steve Lubetkin is the New Jersey and Philadelphia editor for GlobeSt.com. He is currently filling in covering Chicago and Midwest markets until a new permanent editor is named. He previously filled in covering Atlanta. Steve’s journalism background includes print and broadcast reporting for NJ news organizations. His audio and video work for GlobeSt.com has been honored by the Garden State Journalists Association, and he has also been recognized for video by the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He has produced audio podcasts on CRE topics for the NAR Commercial Division and the CCIM Institute. Steve has also served (from August 2017 to March 2018) as national broadcast news correspondent for CEOReport.com, a news website focused on practical advice for senior executives in small- and medium-sized companies. Steve also reports on-camera and covers conferences for NJSpotlight.com, a public policy news coverage website focused on New Jersey government and industry; and for clients of StateBroadcastNews.com, a division of The Lubetkin Media Companies LLC. Steve has been the computer columnist for the Jewish Community Voice of Southern New Jersey, since 1996. Steve is co-author, with Toronto-based podcasting pioneer Donna Papacosta, of the book, The Business of Podcasting: How to Take Your Podcasting Passion from the Personal to the Professional. You can email Steve at [email protected].
