Alician Apartments
Upper Darby, PA
creating value is a shared value
Nolen Properties partners with best-in-class firms to create value from challenging properties, and we welcomed this adaptive reuse project as our first opportunity with Nolen. The St. Alice Social Center had been a hub of the community, and many people in the neighborhood – including our client representative – had fond memories of dances, skating, and games they enjoyed together “back in the day.” This project would respect the past by preserving some of the architectural details of the existing building and look to the future by providing market-rate-type apartments in an affordable senior living building.
The main scope of this project centered around the demolition of the façade and substructure. The original stone veneer was salvaged and some vertical sections of that stone were used on the corners of the building. Since the existing steel and new wood trusses created varying heights in the building, the ceiling plan utilized Chicago grid ceilings and architectural soffits. Our client was able to choose many upgrades, such as stainless appliances, subway tile backsplashes, granite countertops, and faux wood window blinds, which gave the the look and feel of a market rate project.
How Harkins Made a Difference
- During demolition, the team discovered that the stone veneer walls were not tied back to the steel structure of the building. Temporary shoring was quickly devised, but it interfered with construction of the building addition, which was on the critical path. Harkins and our framing contractor re-sequenced operations and started framing on the 3rd floor, where there was already a slab to build on.
The project was completed on time and within budget. We are very happy with the finished product.
Awards & Certifications
Green Communities
Enterprise Green Communities