PHILADELPHIA, PA – For GlobeSt.com's ADAPT awards, we took a closer look at adaptive reuse projects around the country. This year, we proudly acknowledge The Atlantic in Philadelphia, PA as the best overall design conversion winner. We will be honoring the project at our awards ceremony in Baltimore on September 16th. Rising 22 stories above the renowned Avenue of the Arts, the Atlantic's distinguished exterior character has long made it one of the most recognizable buildings in Philadelphia. Once an office building, it stands as an archetype of historic Beaux Arts-style, and has been completely reimagined by Post Brothers, in collaboration with architect Rafael Vinoly. The Atlantic's rich history began with its design in 1922 by architect Joseph F. Kuntz as the headquarters of its namesake, the Atlantic-Richfield Oil Co. With a prestigious history and a prime location, the building represented a unique opportunity to transform a vacant property into the city's premier upscale rental community. But it wasn't without its challenges. Post Brothers took great care and attention to preserve the building's historic integrity while upgrading it into a market-defining residential building with the highest possible sustainability standards—a stark juxtaposition to its former life, but one that pays homage to its storied past.


➤➤ Join your colleagues at the GlobeSt.com ADAPT: Opportunity Zones awards September 16th in Baltimore, MD, where we put a spotlight on the achievements of those who have had a hand in locating adaptive reuse solutions across the country. At the same time it is also focusing on Opportunity Zones and the potential they offer - for both adaptive reuse and new construction. Click here to register and view the agenda.
The property now includes 256 luxury residences ranging from studios to three bedrooms, in addition to four duplex, four-bedroom penthouses perched at the top of the building. The reimagined Atlantic building now holds the distinction of being awarded LEED Gold certification for its innovative sustainable design. The community is completely powered by wind-generated electricity, which reduces its carbon footprint to near non-existence. The apartment interiors certainly exceed all expectations for what is possible from the conversion of an office building. For example, every home boasts soaring ceiling heights spanning from nine and a half to 14 feet, as well as contemporary, highly-functional open-layout kitchens. The amenity spaces at the Atlantic are designed to contribute to the ease of living and create a resort-like atmosphere. Among the many levels and spaces for amenities is top-of-the-line equipment suited for every fitness enthusiast and a recovery-focused "His and Her" spa facility includes high-pressure showers, dry saunas, stand-up light therapy and tanning, and state-of-the-art Hydro Massage beds, along with a steam room and a treatment room that can be reserved. In addition, the property features a children's playroom, coworking spaces, private meeting rooms, a vine-adorned dining pavilion featuring a 30-person table, a large rooftop dog park, a splash pad and more. Post Brothers purchased the Atlantic building in 2014 and following extensive renovations, launched leasing in the fall of 2018.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM Digital Member, you’ll receive:

  • Breaking commercial real estate news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
  • Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
  • Critical coverage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Ingrid Tunberg

Ingrid Tunberg sits on the editorial team as a coordinator and reporter for Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com. She is responsible for writing stories, assisting with industry awards and marketing nomination events. Previously, Ingrid worked as a copywriter across various industries throughout New York City and Chicago.