One of the more impressive adaptive reuse projects we've seen around town looks to be finishing up. Though the name Penn Treaty Village Pennthouses is a bit of a mouthful, the project itself, located at Front & Brown, is an impressive sight to see. Core Realty has been working on the conversion of the former auto storage buildings now for several years, completing the first phase in early 2012 back when the project was still called Waterview Grande. Last summer, we noticed that work had begun on the second building.
The second building is a little taller than the first, but is otherwise offering the same high ceilings and outstanding amenities. We can't vouch because we haven't been inside the newer units, but we would have to assume that they, like their slightly older counterparts, include flatscreen televisions in the bathrooms. What can we say, we're easily impressed. One thing we don't need to see first to hand to know for sure is that many units have phenomenal river views. That means that some have less phenomenal highway views, but so it goes. In addition, the buildings have the stuff you've come to expect from luxury rental properties like a deck with a pool, resident lounges, and concierge service. Unlike others, they offer daily coffee, tea, and pastries along with a catered lunch on weekends. Fancy.
While it's interesting to consider the amenities the Pennthouses offer, it's much more interesting to us to reflect on the change they've brought to this location. For years, these buildings sat as giant shells, hearkening back to a more industrial era in the neighborhood but plainly stating that said era has passed. With the rebirth of the buildings (and thankfully not their demolition), the message turns to rebirth on the waterfront and the extension of Northern Liberties and Fishtown development. The Delaware waterfront still has a ways to go, but the Pennthouses will serve as an attractive anchor for future development in the years to come.