At its meeting on January 10, the Philadelphia Historical Commission spent much of the time reviewing the designation of a new thematic historic district. It also considered requests for alterations to historic properties and commented on nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Northwest Philadelphia Apartments Thematic Historic District comprises 30 properties near the Chestnut Hill West SEPTA Regional Rail Tulpehocken, Upsal, Carpenter, and Richard Allen Lane stations in Germantown and Mount Airy. The Philadelphia Register of Historic Places includes individual designations for four of the properties, while three are on the National Register.

Cresheim Valley Apartments at 7200-04 Cresheim Road were built in 1914 and designed by Henry DeHoff. The featured postcard shows the apartment complex shortly after its completion in 1914. | Photos: Michael Bixler and West Mt. Airy Neighbors

Embodying characteristics of several architectural styles, including Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Neoclassical, Italian Renaissance, Beaux Arts, and Art Deco/Moderne, many of these buildings differ from more urban apartment complexes. Their inclusion of suburban-like features such as lawns and landscaped courtyards are blended together with the tree-lined streets of the neighborhood. Built between 1910 and 1940, they transformed the area into a suburban-like, middle-class enclave.

The Historical Commission approved the designation in a roll call vote of 10 to one after hearing public comments in favor of the nomination and objections from owners of two buildings within the proposed district.

1927 Diamond Street, designed by Willis G. Hale, and adjoining empty lots. | Photo: Michael Bixler

A revised proposal for three new buildings within another historic district was also reviewed. The Diamond Street Historic District was created in 1986 and features a collection of large post-Civil War Victorian houses along Diamond Street between Broad and Van Pelt Streets. The proposed sites are currently all vacant lots along the 1900 block. One was demolished before designation, while the other two were taken down after designation, despite one, attributed to Willis G. Hale, being listed as significant and the other as contributing to the historic district. After weighing in on various design elements, the Historical Commission approved the proposal.

Yet another historic district was on the agenda with the nomination of the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital Complex Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places. These nominations are overseen by the appropriate state agency, in this case, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). In the process, PHMC is required to solicit comments from the appropriate local government, which in turn must also provide a forum for public comment. The Historical Commission speaks on behalf of the City of Philadelphia in historic preservation matters including the review of National Register nominations. Within its meetings the Commission provides an opportunity for the public to weigh in.

The Gothic entrance to Hahnemann Hospital on Broad Street. | Photo: Michael Bixler

The Historical Commission offered comments on the collection of Hahnemann buildings, which occupy the block located at 225-31 North 15th Street and 216-48 North Broad Street. Contributing buildings include the Hospital Building (1928 South Tower/1979 North Tower addition), the New College Building (1938/1970), the Nurses’ Residence (1963), the Myer Feinstein Polyclinic Building (1908/1967), and the Bobst Building (1967). Much of the complex was included in the local register in 2021 and 2022, which focused primarily on the 1928 original hospital building and the 1938 Klahr Auditorium.

The Historical Commission cited the significance of the complex in Philadelphia’s medical history, playing a prominent role in the city for nearly a century, as well as the mid-rise and high-rise towers that represent popular architectural styles for hospital and educational buildings in the mid- to late-20th century.

Interstate Storage Warehouse at 3935-61 Germantown Avenue. | Photo: Michael Bixler

A second National Register nomination was for the Interstate Storage Warehouse at 3935-61 Germantown Avenue. The seven-story, reinforced concrete building with a brick facade was designed in 1924 by Moores & Dunford. The architecture firm of became nationally known for its distinctive styles of warehouses, which created an important visual feature of the urban landscape in the United States and Canada in the early 20th century. The building is currently not listed on the local register therefore it is not legally protected. Historical Commission members offered comments in support of the nomination.