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Distorted Perceptions Demolished The Levy-Leas Mansion
Preservation

Distorted Perceptions Demolished The Levy-Leas Mansion

The historic Levy Leas Mansion at 40th and Pine has now been reduced to a pile of debris. Hidden agendas and selective thinking is to blame says architectural historian and preservation professor Aaron Wunsch. Here is his final word on the 160-year-old West Philadelphia home

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The End Of The Road For 40th And Pine

Demolition of the beleaguered Levy-Leas House is underway at 40th and Pine. Hidden City co-editor Michael Bixler takes one last look at the building’s lost potential with a walk inside one of architect Samuel Sloan’s last remaining West Philadelphia homes

At The Eleventh Hour, Seeking A New Accord At 40th & Pine
Preservation

At The Eleventh Hour, Seeking A New Accord At 40th & Pine

Could a last-ditch effort at diplomacy between the University of Pennsylvania and the Woodland Terrace Homeowners Association save the John P. Levy House from demolition? Aaron Wunsch says it can and should be done, though it would take a touch more civic stewardship by the university and an even-keeled willingness to compromise by the neighborhood group

Penn Takes “Collage” Approach To Preservation With Perry World House
Architecture

Penn Takes “Collage” Approach To Preservation With Perry World House

Not every historic building in the city can be saved, though total demolition doesn’t have to be the final answer either. Co-editor Michael Bixler looks at a third way at Perry World House, now under construction, in conversation with University of Pennsylvania campus architect David Hollenberg

Sloan Mansion Days Are Numbered: Penn Can Proceed Without Permits, Says Historical Commission
Preservation

Sloan Mansion Days Are Numbered: Penn Can Proceed Without Permits, Says Historical Commission

Bad news for the John P. Levy House at 40th and Pine. Condition goes, says the Historical Commission, approving the University of Pennsylvania’s request to remove a proviso that barres them from razing the mansion before proper permits are obtained and building plans established

Historical Commission Hardship Meeting Puts Sloan Mansion One Step Closer To Demolition
Preservation

Historical Commission Hardship Meeting Puts Sloan Mansion One Step Closer To Demolition

The days might be numbered for the Samuel Sloan-designed John P. Levy House at 40th and Pine. Today the Historical Commission’s Hardship Committee approved a recommendation that could clear the way for the Italliante mansion’s demolition

Historically Designated Brownstones To Be Demolished, Replaced By Apartment Tower
Preservation

Historically Designated Brownstones To Be Demolished, Replaced By Apartment Tower

The green light’s been given to the demolition of two brownstones on the city’s Historic Register at 38th & Chestnut. Chris Mote reports that the homes, once the parish house to the adjacent Episcopal Cathedral, will be replaced by a 25-story apartment tower whose profits will go toward a complete restoration of the church and provide new facilities for the Diocese

At 40th & Sansom Church, The Possibilities—And Limits—Of Reuse
Preservation

At 40th & Sansom Church, The Possibilities—And Limits—Of Reuse

A Samuel Sloan designed church in West Philadelphia is the latest case study in the stare-down between preservation and demolition. Christopher Mote tells us P&A Associates wants to demolish and replace it with a one-story modern glass building, but a group of Penn preservation students is thinking big about reuse


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