Frankel Enterprises Breaks Ground on Bucknell Square and Girard Commons
A Place to Call Home in Sharswood: The Philadelphia Housing Authority and Frankel Enterprises broke ground yesterday on 73 new construction homes and condos in Sharswood. From left are US Congressman Dwight Evans; Zachary Frankel; Lynette Brown-Sow; Cherelle Parker; Darrell L. Clarke; Max Frankel, Kelvin Jeremiah, President and CEO of PHA, and Ryan Schlegel from Mid Penn Bank. Photo: Maurice Browne
73 Affordable Homes Will Revitalize the Site of the Former Norman Blumberg Apartments in Brewerytown/Sharswood Neighborhood
Bucknell Square and Girard Commons Now Accepting Applications
Philadelphia, PA (May 22, 2023) – Frankel Enterprises celebrated the groundbreaking of Bucknell Square and Girard Commons, two workforce housing communities totaling 73 affordable homes located in the Brewerytown / Sharswood neighborhood of Philadelphia. The $17 million projects are a partnership between Frankel Enterprises, Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), Mid Penn Bank, and the City of Philadelphia to create quality affordable housing opportunities for Philadelphia residents.
Photo: Kevin S. Nash
The new housing at Bucknell Square is located on the site of the former Norman Blumberg Apartments, a half century old public-housing complex demolished in 2016 that for years were the epicenter of crime and poverty in the area. The new workforce housing developments – located just projects will help revitalize the neighborhood and represent part of a $30 million Sharswood Blumberg Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant (CNI) that was awarded to the City of Philadelphia and the PHA in 2020.
This development comes on the heels of another successful workforce housing partnership completed by Frankel Enterprises and PHA at The Residences at Diamond Village, a community of 30 affordable single-family homes in North Philadelphia.
“We’re thrilled to kick-off this much needed project and look forward to another transformative partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority,” said Max Frankel, Principal of Frankel Enterprises. “Homeownership is a key factor in stabilizing neighborhoods and creating intergenerational wealth for residents. We look forward to supporting continued community revitalization through high quality housing for families in Brewerytown.”
“The construction of these new homes enhances Sharswood’s reputation as an up-and-coming neighborhood,” said Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President and CEO of PHA. “This mixed-income community currently has the building blocks to foster a vibrant community – an expanding commercial corridor, sustainable, award-winning housing developments, community venues where people can connect and grow, and now these workforce homes that offer lifestyle options.”
“The community of Sharswood continues to rise, and adding new, affordable workforce housing is crucial to all of this positive momentum in North Philadelphia,” said Council President Darrell L. Clarke (5th District). “The partnership between PHA, the City of Philadelphia, City Council, Frankel Enterprises and the financial lenders is improving housing opportunities and the overall quality of life for the people of Sharswood. We could not be more pleased.”
“We want to thank Council President Clarke and Senator Street for their leadership in addressing the housing crisis and creating opportunities for much needed affordable housing,” said Zachary Frankel, Principal, Frankel Enterprises. “Frankel has a rich history of building high-quality homes to last generations, and we are thrilled to partner with PHA and the City of Philadelphia to ensure working families have access to affordable home ownership.”
Bucknell Square and Girard Commons workforce housing developments are a collection of new construction, single-family houses and condominium units, each consisting of 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom floorplans. Bucknell Square will boast 36-single family homes with private backyards, assigned private parking, a roof deck, and rear patio. Girard Commons will feature a collection of 37 single-family homes and condominium-type units with private outdoor space no more than $299,000.
The city offers several grants for homebuyers.
Interested parties can learn more about the projects and virtually tour a home at PhillyWorkforceHomes.com. Individuals and families who meet qualifications can apply online at PhillyWorkForceHomes.com/apply or call directly at (267) 571-8519. Philadelphia Housing Authority residents can reach out to the homeownership department at (215) 684-8926.
About Frankel Enterprises
Founded in 1936 by E.J. Frankel, Frankel Enterprises is a fourth-generation, family-owned real estate development company incorporating planning, financing and construction into an efficient development process. The company’s portfolio includes affordable, market rate and luxury housing communities in Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio and South Florida. In Philadelphia, Frankel Enterprises commitment to affordable housing includes transformative projects such as West Poplar Homes, The Residences at Diamond Villages, Bucknell Square and Girard Commons. For more information visit www.frankelre.com.
About Philadelphia Housing Authority
The Philadelphia Housing Authority’s mission is to open doors to affordable housing, economic opportunity and safe, sustainable communities to benefit Philadelphia residents with low incomes.
