Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published in the Spring 2026 issue of Extant, a publication of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
Photo: Peter Woodall
Minority Arts Resource Council Building
Location: 1421 W. Girard Avenue
Built: Circa 1883-85
Threat: Unsafe L&I violation
The former Minority Arts Resource Council (MARC) Building at 1421 W. Girard Avenue faces an immediate and precarious threat, as an “unsafe” determination could trigger City-led demolition. Built circa 1883-85, the richly ornamented rowhouse is a rare American example of exterior design influenced by the British Aesthetic Movement. Its exuberant facade combines graphic rosettes, naturalistic floral carving, richly modeled stonework, and an elaborate stone-and-copper cornice, setting it apart from the surrounding brick rowhouses. It is listed on both the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places and the National Register as part of the Girard Avenue Historic District, underscoring its recognized importance.
The building was long owned by Curtis Brown, founder of the MARC, a nonprofit organization that provided opportunities for minority artists and craftspeople. Following Brown’s passing in early 2025, the property was listed for sale by his estate. During this transitional period, deterioration and structural instability, particularly of a non-historical rear addition, prompted the Department of Licenses & Inspections to issue an unsafe determination. While legitimate safety concerns exist, we believe the building’s historic core is not beyond repair and that targeted stabilization or partial demolition could resolve hazards without total loss.
The fate of the MARC Building now hinges on overcoming the unsafe violation long enough to allow a preservation-minded buyer to step forward. With appropriate investment and care, the MARC Building can be stabilized and restored, honoring Curtis Brown’s legacy and reaffirming Philadelphia’s commitment to protecting its irreplaceable historic resources.
Photo: Peter Woodall
Green Hill Farm House
Location: 6953 Greenhill Road
Built: 1916-19
Threat: Lack of historic designation
The house at 6953 Greenhill Road is an example of early 20th-century suburban residential design in West Philadelphia. Yet, it is currently unprotected from demolition or inappropriate alteration. (A nomination for the property has been submitted to the Historical Commission.) Built between 1916 and 1919 as a part of the Morris Estate’s first residential development of Green Hill Farm, the house was designed by the prominent architectural firm Mellor, Meigs & Howe and later altered by noted Philadelphia architect Louis Magaziner. Together with its companion property at 7001-09 Greenhill Road, it forms an unusual and carefully composed paired estate, with a shared garden wall, pergola, and central garage pavilion that read as a unified architectural ensemble.
Despite its architectural pedigree, the property is not listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, leaving it vulnerable at a moment of transition. The house, long used as a single-family residence, was recently purchased by a religious organization to serve as its new headquarters. No specific plans for the property have been publicly disclosed, raising concerns about potential redevelopment that could compromise its historic character.
This uncertainty underscores the need for proactive protection. Listing the property alongside its companion house on the Philadelphia Register would ensure that any reuse plans are subject to public review and preservation standards. The loss of this property would erode a key chapter in the planned suburban development of Green Hill Farm and diminish the architectural legacy of one of Philadelphia’s most influential design firms. Local designation offers a path forward that balances growth and respect for place.
Photos: Peter Woodall
Fairmount Park Houses
Location: 19 scattered sites in East and West Fairmount Park
Built: Primarily 18th and 19th century
Threat: Underfunding and lack of engagement
Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park houses are among the city’s most extraordinary and vulnerable public historic resources. These architecturally significant estates were originally built as private villas by prominent Philadelphians seeking a rural retreat along the Schuylkill River. When the City used eminent domain to create Fairmount Park beginning in the mid-19th century, it inherited these houses, embedding layers of architectural, social, and civic history into the park’s landscape. Today, 19 historic houses remain, including three relocated from elsewhere in the city, while others have been lost to fire, vandalism, and insufficient funds.
Despite their significance, many Fairmount Park houses suffer from deferred maintenance and chronic underfunding. Underutilized sites such as The Lilacs and Rockland Mansion, along with smaller, lesser-known resources like Boelson Cottage and Ormiston Mansion, face the biggest challenges, as limited public awareness makes it harder to justify investment or consistent stewardship. Even houses with long traditions as museums, such as Woodford, Laurel Hill, and Strawberry Mansion, rely heavily on volunteer organizations and nonprofit partners, stretching already thin resources.
Since the 2010 consolidation of park oversight under Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, responsibility for these complex historic assets has grown, but dedicated funding has not kept pace. Organizational supporters like the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Park Charms demonstrate how creative partnerships and long-term leasing can stabilize and reactivate properties, yet broader investment and visibility are essential.
To ensure these houses remain vital, accessible, and protected, the City must pair preventive conservation and regular maintenance with stronger public engagement and sustained funding.
