Sharswood Tower

Where: North Philadelphia

The renovation of this 13-story building – formerly known as Blumberg Senior Tower – is an example of PHA’s continuing focus on preserving the larger high-rise properties in its portfolio as affordable housing for seniors. This strategy allows PHA to concentrate support services and increase the ability of its senior residents to age in place.

Built in the 1960s, the $28 million renovation involved repairs to the exterior shell, selective interior demolition, and the installation of new electrical, mechanical and sprinkler systems, which brought the building up to current safety and energy codes.

The electrical upgrades allowed PHA to replace all radiators with heat pumps, which also provide air conditioning. Additional improvements included new kitchens and bathrooms, and upgrades to offices, the community room, laundry rooms and outdoor patio. A walkable park was also added. The renovation was completed in 2019.

The 13-story high rise is all that remains of the Blumberg Apartments 3-tower complex. The other two 13-story towers. which provided over 400 apartments for families, were razed as part of PHA’s 10-year, $500 million plan to redevelop the Sharswood-Blumberg section of the city with homes that are more walkable and connected to the neighborhood.  PHA is in the process of developing over 1,000 units of low-rise affordable rental and homeownership units on land it acquired through the purchase of 1,300 vacant or blighted parcels throughout the neighborhood.