07.07.00
Old candy factory brightens residential rebirth in Olde City

By Sheila Dyan, FOR THE INQUIRER

In the middle of “young” Old City is a “new” old building – Mulberry Court. A factory turned rental apartment building, it’s an example of early-20th-century industrial architecture reconstructed to provide late-20th century industry residential space.

“The walls are 18 inches thick…. The large factory windows are almost to the ceiling, with the original wood beams,” said Dan Rink, 50, a partner with Sorgenti Investment Partners, and resident of Mulberry Court for 10 years. “But it has modern kitchen and bathroom amenities. And the old fire escape was converted to a deck. Here, in the middle of the city, it’s a quiet, peaceful place.“

Management and maintenance are terrific, although I rarely had any problems,” he continued. “But (when I called), they were always quite responsive. My water heater conked out one day, and, by the next day, I had a new one.”

Recently engaged to marry, Rink bought a house in Ardmore, but he’s keeping his apartment at Mulberry in the family. “I’ve handed down the apartment form one generation to another – my daughter, Ellen, lives there now.”

The building was constructed in 1906 as a candy factory at 225 Arch St. – then called Mulberry Street. It was designed by the Philadelphia Architectural firm Wilson, Harris and Richards in the Renaissance Revival style. The five-story, white brick structure features a limestone water table, stone steps, arched door surround and windows, limestone keystones, a projecting cornice with modillians, and dentil molding.

Redeveloped into an apartment building in the mid-1980s, it blends new apartment interiors – modern appliances, built-in book shelves, and contemporary spaces -- with such original architectural details as large, industrial windows; exposed brick walls; and exposed wooden joists supporting 12-foot-high, wooden ceilings. Mulberry Court is on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, and the National Register as part of the Old City National Historic District. Delancey Realty Services, Inc. has owned and managed the property since 1993.

The front is landscaped with a railroad-tie bed of trees and flowers; artwork hangs on the walls of the locked inner lobby and in the common hallways; and the elevator has a rear window allowing occupants to look outside as they ride.

One-bedroom units (700 square feet), with balcony, rent for $900 per month; two-bedroom units (1,100 square feet), some with two baths, rent for $1,200 to $1,300. Janet Chase, Vice President of Operations for Delancey Realty Services, said a gated parking lot would be available to the residents by August.

The basement and first floor are occupied by a television production company.

“The commercial space means people are always around during the day,” said Keith Peltzman, 27, business development consultant and aspiring author. “I feel this building is truly the gem of the neighborhood, which is the most thriving area in the city.” Peltzman, a resident for four years, has shared his two-bedroom unit with Josh Weiss, 25, a veterinary medicine student at the University of Pennsylvania, for the last year.

“It’s a perfect location, in the center of Old City. Everything’s within walking distance—a little grocery store across the street, bars, restaurants,” said Weiss, who lived below Peltzman for three years before they decided to share a unit.

“This is the Melrose Place of Old City – everyone knows everyone else,” Peltzman said. “And weekend nights, the area becomes like South Beach. I feel safe walking around at 1 or 2 in the morning.”