These ornate High Victorian buildings
relate to the street with a suburban quality, as reflected in their
elaborate front porch and bay windows. Disinvestment in Philadelphia in favor of post World War II suburbanization eventually led to the abandonment of these ornate buildings. After 30 years of vacancy they were on the verge of total collapse. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has termed this rehabilitation one of the most ambitious it has ever overseen. The rehabilitation of these impressive structures is helping to return Parkside Avenue to its original grandeur as the neighbor to the Centennial Exhibition site while providing affordable housing for new and old
residents alike. Moreover, the restoration of this row will serve as a beacon for the renovation of the remainder of Parkside, and will eventually attract
necessary commercial development.
