JKR Partners’ Presser Senior Apartments Ground Breaking
On April 14, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller and Nolen Properties, LLC, celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking for Presser Senior Apartments in the City’s West Mount Airy neighborhood. The 52,000-square-foot, Renaissance Revival-style building will be converted into 45 senior apartments by developer Nolen Properties and designed by JKR Partners. The $14 million project is being funded by the city of Philadelphia, and the state with federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Additionally, the project is an historic renovation of the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers. The original Presser Home was commissioned in 1913 by sheet music publisher and Philadelphia philanthropist, Theodore Presser. Unfortunately, the home became vacant and fell into disrepair before being acquired for rehabilitation in 2006 by Nolen Properties. In addition to restoring a historical site to its former grandeur and function, Presser Senior Apartments will help address the critical need for quality affordable housing for low-income seniors. The project is scheduled for completion in February 2011. JKR Partners Principal Matthew Koenig, Project Manager Deidre DeAscanis and Designers Samantha Chan and Marissa McMurtrie attended the ground breaking ceremony.
Photo Caption: Jim Nolen (Nolen Properties), Honorable Donna Reed Miller (8th Council District), Holly Glauser-Abel (PHFA), Honorable Michael A. Nutter and Peter R. Kaplan (PNC Bank)