Starting in the mid-19th century, Philadelphia earned its nickname as the “Workshop of the World,” leading the nation in manufacturing everything from locomotives to silk stockings. When these bustling factories, mills, and warehouses went silent in the mid to late 20th century, entire neighborhoods faced unemployment and urban decline.

Thanks to forward-thinking developers, architects, and preservationists, many of these historic industrial sites have since been reimagined as modern residential spaces, offices, and eateries—making Philadelphia a national leader in adaptive reuse. This transformation has helped restore prosperity and vitality to neighborhoods across the city, from Manayunk to Kensington, Brewerytown to the Navy Yard.

Here, we highlight four neighborhoods where reclaiming industrial sites has had a profound impact on community growth and identity.

Old City

Two hundred years ago or more, Old City was a powerhouse, generating vast wealth with over 800 factories and warehouses. One of its earliest industries was a 1794 sugar refinery known as the Sugar House, 225 Church St., between Market and Arch. This 8-story storage house expanded into a steam-powered refinery. In 1910, it was converted into a warehouse for the next 50 years. Then, in 1976, this 200-year-old building became The Sugar Refinery Apartments, one of Old City’s first industrial conversions. 

At that time, Old City was inhabited only by the residents of Elfreth’s Alley, a few artists willing to reside in factories with few amenities. There were, as yet, no art galleries, cafes, or shops other than wholesalers’ storefronts. 

That began to change in 1986 with the creation of The Chocolate Works, a 135-unit apartment complex at 231 N. Third Street. Originally built in 1902 for H.R. Wilbur & Sons, a renowned chocolate manufacturer, the building stood vacant for decades after the company relocated to Lititz, PA, in 1933. When it reopened as The Chocolate Works, The New York Times celebrated it as a landmark example of creative urban renewal.

More factory conversions soon followed: Bridgeview (315 New St.), The Castings (130 N. Bread St.), The Smythe Stores (101–111 Arch St.), and The National (109–131 N. 2nd St.)

Today, Old City is one of Philadelphia’s most desirable neighborhoods, home to over 8,000 residents, many of them young professionals drawn to its historic charm, walkability, and vibrant nightlife.

Brewerytown

Philly was once home to over 100 breweries, many in what is now known as  Brewerytown, running from the eastern bank of the Schuylkill River to 25th Street and from Parrish to Cecil B. Moore Avenue. The Louis Bergdoll City Park Brewery, built in 1856 in the ornate Romanesque and Italian Romanesque style by Otto C. Wolf, was the largest in Philadelphia. In the 1980s, the brewery’s classic main building and storage facility were transformed into The Brewery Condominiums, 870 N. 28th St., and The Brewery Condos, 825 N. 29th St.. 

Another brewery designed by Otto C. Wolf,  F.A. Poth & Sons Brewing, was built  in 1865 at 31st & Jefferson. Following Prohibition, this stunning brick building housed several businesses. Then, it sat vacant for 16 years and became a canvas for graffiti artists. In 2021, it was converted into 132 apartments with 25,000 sq ft of retail space. Now known as Poth Brewery, its graffiti has been reclaimed as “post-industrial art” and takes a place of pride inside many of the units.

South Kensington

While South Kensington has seen countless industrial conversions, one stands out for its social impact rather than its luxury appeal: Oxford Mills at 100 West Oxford Street.

From 1873 to 1913, Oxford Mills had been the headquarters of Quaker City Dye Works, one of the biggest employers in Kensington, manufacturing dyes, yarns, and silk. In the 1970s, it was a lamp factory. By the time Greg Hill and Gabe Canuso, founders of 3D Development, did a walk-through, it had trees growing through its roof. 

Their vision went beyond market-rate lofts. Oxford Mills now includes 114 apartments and 90 of them are affordable, below-market-rate units reserved for Philadelphia teachers, lower-income families, and nonprofits such as Teach for America. The project achieved Green Building Certification and received a 2015 award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. The building also houses Gryphon Coffee and offices with tenants like Teach for America, Beyond Literacy, Education Plus Health, and the Health Federation of Philadelphia.

Wayne Junction

All of the previously described adaptive reuse projects occurred as a result of developers converting one vacant property at a time. In 2011, Ken Weinstein, president of Philly Office Retail, decided that the best way to have a serious impact on a neighborhood was to tackle six or more abandoned industrial sites.

Weinstein’s enthusiasm was triggered by SEPTA’s $31 million restoration of the historic Wayne Junction Train Station, built in 1881 and redesigned in 1900 by Frank Furness. His investment in Wayne Junction included the former Max Levy Autograph Company, a 1902 Beaux Arts style factory, now the 32-unit Autograph Apartments. The late-19th-century Argunto Oilless Bearing Company, a former factory and church, is now known as Argunto Court, an office space and cafe. The 1893 Blaisdell Paper Pencil Company is currently home to Attic Brewing and Deke’s Bar-B-Que. Still in the works is the plan for the Wayne Junction Diner Apartments, a six-story building with a ground-floor commercial space and a diner.

Preservation vs Demolition

While there are many great examples of adaptive reuse in the city that aren’t mentioned in this article (for example, the BOK Building where Remark Glass is located), Philadelphia’s potential for adaptive reuse is far from over. Thousands of vacant industrial buildings remain, many at risk of demolition without the advocacy of preservation organizations. Protecting these sites means protecting the city’s identity, economy, and architectural heritage.

Want to get involved?

• Attend the Preservation Alliance Fall 2025 Speaker Series. 
• Sign up for Extant, the monthly Preservation Alliance magazine. 
• Participate in Preservation Alliance Neighborhood Walking Tours. 
• Check out Preservation Alliance Bookshop.