Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published in the Winter 2025 issue of Extant, a publication of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

Hawthorne Hall

Location: 3849 Lancaster Avenue

Built: 1895

Hawthorne Hall, located at the intersection of Lancaster Avenue, Saunders Avenue, and Hamilton Street in Powelton Village, was built in 1895 as a striking example of Victorian architecture. Constructed by developers Arthur Wright and Adolphus Prentzel, the building was part of a unified block of mixed-use structures featuring rust-colored brick, terra-cotta sculptures, and arched windows, which served as an impressive gateway to the city. It originally housed a drug store, post office, and various fraternal organizations.

Over the years, Hawthorne Hall served as a versatile community space due to its stage and balcony seating. It hosted meetings, performances, boxing matches, and church services. In 2012, People’s Emergency Center (PEC) purchased the largely unused and derelict property and mounted a campaign for the building’s stabilization.

With a vision to preserve its historic charm while introducing modern use, a developer purchased the property in 2021. A renovation project transformed the hall into six two-bedroom, two-bath apartments. The renovated spaces feature 12-foot ceilings, gourmet kitchens, and luxurious bathrooms, combining historic details with contemporary style.

Hawthorne Hall’s renovation symbolizes the continued revival of Lancaster Avenue, a corridor caught between blight and redevelopment. This project preserved a significant piece of Powelton Village’s history and enhanced the neighborhood’s diverse character and architectural heritage.

SEPTA Presidents’ Conference Committee (PCC) Trolleys

Location: Route 15

Built: 1947

SEPTA’s iconic green and cream trolleys, a staple on Route 15 between West Philadelphia and Port Richmond, have been restored and returned to service. Originally built in 1947, these historic PCC trolleys served the community for decades before being removed from service in January 2020 for restoration. Trundling through rain, snow, and road salt had corroded the cars’ frames, requiring extensive repairs. For four years, amid a global pandemic and ensuing supply chain issues, SEPTA ran buses along the trolleys’ path.

SEPTA’s Trolley Restoration Team undertook the recent restoration effort, meticulously refurbishing eight trolleys, with 10 more in various stages of completion. The team reverse-engineered and fabricated parts that were no longer manufactured at a fraction of the cost of new cars. Their innovative approach included extensive research and reviewing original blueprints from the 1940s to maintain the authenticity of these classic vehicles.

In addition to restoring the trolleys’ original charm, SEPTA also updated them with modern amenities, such as air conditioning and SEPTA Key readers, to enhance passenger comfort and convenience. While reintroducing the beloved streetcars, a combination of trolleys and buses will continue to serve Route 15 to allow SEPTA to maintain service frequency. As one of the last fleets of its kind in regular service in the United States, these trolleys continue to be an integral part of Philadelphia’s transit heritage.

Hotel Anna & Bel

Location: 1401 E. Susquehanna Avenue

Built: Earliest section dates to 1769

The former Penn Home has a long and storied history dating back to the 18th century. Established in 1852 as the Penn Asylum for Indigent Widows and Single Women, the building provided nonsectarian living accommodations for elderly widowed and single women of limited means. In 1858, the asylum purchased the 18th-century country seat of the Austin family, located at what is now Susquehanna Avenue and Belgrade Street in the Fishtown neighborhood. Over the next century, the institution expanded significantly, acquiring neighboring parcels and constructing numerous additions to the original “Mansion House” building. Throughout its 162 years of operation, the asylum was a community pillar, offering essential social services and evolving into a geriatric facility before closing in 2020. In that same year, the property was successfully nominated to the local register by the Keeping Society of Philadelphia.

The new hotel, which took nearly two years to develop, has repurposed the 18th-century complex into a 50-room inn that blends historic character with modern amenities. The interior rooms on the second floor have French doors opening onto a balcony overlooking a Mediterranean-inspired courtyard. This leafy courtyard is a highlight of the property, complete with a heated outdoor pool. Hotel Anna & Bel also features two full-service dining concepts open to the public, further integrating the hotel into the Fishtown community. The transformation of the Penn Home into Anna & Bel preserves the site’s rich history while providing a new space for visitors to experience the vibrant cultural scene of Fishtown.

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