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Watershed, Pollinator, and Bird-Friendly Garden Certification Programs

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Among the many positive aspects of gardening, is the pride you take in knowing that your efforts support wildlife and pollinators, conserve water, and add to the beauty of the natural environment. To encourage sustainable gardening, we’d like to introduce you to several programs and certifications that you can apply to whether your garden is on a terrace, rooftop, or backyard.

Why Pollinator Gardens?

According to the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society (PHS), pollination is essential to life on earth. 90% of plants, including fruits and vegetables, rely on pollinators to produce fruit and seeds. Without these animals, life on Earth would be drastically different. 

The monarch butterfly was once common all across the country but is now at risk of extinction. Pollinator-friendly habitats in backyards, balconies, and along sidewalks help bring this species back from the brink of extinction and support many other pollinator species.  Butterflies fly great distances between flowers, moving pollen with them and sustaining genetic diversity, even though they are often not as efficient at pollinating as bees.

Pollinator-Friendly Garden at the PHS Flower Show, FDR Park, Philadelphia. Image: Stephanie Aviles
Bee flying over to Goldenrod at the Emerald Wildflower Garden in Kensington, Philadelphia | Pollinator-friendly Garden at the PHS Flower Show. FDR Park, Philadelphia. Images: Stephanie Aviles

Over the past two years, the National Wildlife Federation has been working with PHS to transform a network of 26 vacant lots in West and Northwest Philadelphia into 50 climate-resilient pollinator gardens.  These gardens reduce the impacts of climate change through heat absorption and flooding mitigation — while also serving as a stop for migrating pollinators, which enriches biodiversity and supports a stronger ecosystem. 

Create a Butterfly Garden

You do not need a lot of space to have a butterfly garden or Monarch Waystation. A container garden on a terrace is sufficient. Laurel Hill Gardens in Chestnut Hill says it’s too early to plant a butterfly garden. They suggest you wait a couple of weeks until more native plants are available such as asters, zinnias, goldenrods, violet, sunflower, marigold, snapdragon, milkweed, and phlox. These are just a few of the many plants that attract butterflies. For a more complete list, visit your local nursery or visit Gardening for Butterflies. 

A butterfly-friendly garden contains both adult nectar plants and caterpillar host plants. A few common vegetables and herbs, including dill, oregano, and parsley, also serve as caterpillar host plants. Many butterfly gardeners plant extra vegetables, enough for themselves and their caterpillars. As a bonus, butterfly gardens often attract hummingbirds.

Since butterflies are cold-blooded and need to be warm to fly and feed, you should plant your garden in a sunny area sheltered from the wind. Storms and windy days can batter a butterfly to bits. If there is no natural shelter, plant a windscreen such as Spicebush or another flowering shrub that can provide both food and shelter.

Adult butterflies prefer purple, red, yellow, orange, or pink blossoms; flat-topped or clustered flowers; and short flower tubes. As a result, your butterfly garden will be colorful!

Get Certified!

To qualify for the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Certification Program at least three different nectar sources must be grown, preferably at least three of each selected species so caterpillars can find adequate food. Plus at least one milkweed plant to attract Monarchs. Because butterflies and many other beneficial pollinators are insects, insecticides and pesticides should not be used in your butterfly gardens, including Organic pesticides (they kill too). Gardeners may be certified online or by mail.

NABA Butterfly Garden Signs. Images: Naba.org

Once certified, you will receive a customized NABA Butterfly Garden and Habitat certificate. Certified butterfly gardeners may buy an outdoor, weatherproof certification sign with a Monarch image if their gardens contain at least one milkweed plant.  You may also register your Monarch Waystation by filing out a Waystation Certification Application for a donation of $18. Penn State also has a Pollinator Garden Certification Program for $10. To apply visit Pollinator Habitat Certification.

Monarch Waystation Sign. Image: Butterfly-lady.com

Create a Bird-Friendly Habitat

Audubon Pennsylvania provides Bird-Friendly Garden Designs for different types of light, soil, and moisture conditions. If your garden receives full sun with dry soil, they recommend planting Mountain Mint, Butterfly Weed, Aromatic Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Purple Cornflower,  Little Bluestem, and Prairie Dropseed. The result is an aromatic, colorful, varied garden sure to attract a variety of birds. For part sun and average soil which is probably common to most Philly gardens, they suggest Wild Geranium, Woodland Phlox, Black-eyed Susan, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Eastern Red Columbine, Arrowwood Viburnum, and Hairy Alumroot. For other light and soil combinations, refer to your local nursery or visit Audubon’s site.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Indian pink. Image: Audubon Society of Pennsylvania.

Audubon also offers certification for bird-friendly gardens. Visit their Certified Backyard Program for application and details. If you live in a hi-rise, get involved with Bird Safe Philly which encourages residents to pull down their window shades at night to avoid birds flying into windows.

Eastern Bluebird. Image: Audubon Society of Pennsylvania.

Protect Philly’s Watershed: Watershed-Friendly Certification

Reducing stormwater runoff and water pollution, conserving water, and supporting wildlife and pollinators are critical elements of healthy, watershed-friendly properties. Watershed-Friendly PA offers guidance and resources and allows property owners to fill out a simple online application to qualify for watershed-friendly property certification.

Watershed-Friendly Certification - Image: Stephanie Aviles
If you qualify, you will be emailed a certificate verifying that your landscape is watershed-friendly and receive a free decal in the mail. Image: Stephanie Aviles

To qualify, install rain barrels and rain gardens, use only native plants, never use chemicals or insecticides, and divert downspouts to the garden, away from sidewalks and driveways. Also, fix leaky faucets, take shorter showers, and install low-flow shower heads. For more information about saving water and having your garden certified, visit Certifying Your Urban Small Lot.

We hope these tips on creating sustainable garden habitats for butterflies and birds while conserving your use of water, encourage you to rethink your Spring gardening plans, whether its limited to a few containers or an entire yard. For more gardening tips check out our post on planning your spring garden.

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Female Architects in Philadelphia

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Architecture has long been a field dominated by men but women’s involvement in the profession can be traced back to 17th-century England. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that they began gaining recognition. As we close out Women’s History Month, we take a look at Philadelphia’s female architects, inspiring women who broke through barriers to create their own architecture firms and achieve national attention for their work. 

Philadelphia Women Architecture Pioneers 

Minerva Parker Nichols (1863-1949) was the first woman in the United States to practice architecture independently and open a solo practice in Philadelphia in the 1880s. When she was just 29, Nichols was already earning the equivalent of $215,000 in today’s currency. But it didn’t happen overnight. Nichols worked as a governess and housekeeper while learning architectural drafting, consistently advancing her technical skills.

In the mid-1880s, Minerva Parker Nichols apprenticed for Edwin W. Thorne at 14 S. Broad, designing residences in Mt Airy, Jenkintown, and Bryn Mawr before opening a firm in 1889 which she operated until 1896. Nichols’ specialty was residential homes and during her career, she designed over 80 projects. Most of her projects were in Philadelphia; you can still see them in various parts of the City. These include 3313 Hamilton Street in the Powelton section, 102 Grayling Ave. in Narberth, and 746 Conestoga Rd. in Berwyn. Unfortunately, her design for the New Century Club, one of the first women’s clubs in America at 124 S 12th St. was demolished in 1973.

Philadelphia School of Design for Women.

Nichols also designed schools, churches, and hotels. She taught courses on architectural ornament at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, the first art school for women in the U.S. which later merged with the Moore College of Art.

Cottage designed by Parker Nichols.

Elizabeth Fleisher (1892-1975) was the first female to be licensed as an architect in Philadelphia. She started her career working for Edward P. Simon who is credited with designing the Fidelity Philadelphia Trust Company at 123 S. Broad in 1928. Fleisher later became known for designing showrooms, theaters, and factories. In 1952, she designed the 14-story Parkway House at 2201 Pennsylvania Avenue, one of the first post-war luxury apartment buildings in the city, still a highly desired, mid-century apartment building.

 The Columbus Square pavilion was designed by Elizabeth Fleisher in the mid century modern style. Image: Philadelphia Department of Public Records

Contemporary Philadelphia Women Architects 

Philadelphia now has many architectural firms owned by women such as Daniela Holt Voith, founding partner and director of design at Voit & Mactavish. She has designed many buildings for Ivy League institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and is known for her historic preservation work for several 1920s movie theaters in and around Philadelphia, including Bryn Maw Film Institute, The Sedgwick, and the Colonial Theater in Doylestown. 

Daniela Voith honored by AIA.

Architect Linda O’Gwynn founded Purdy O’Gwynn, a small architecture firm, in 1994. Her team has worked on recognizable projects in the area, including the Chemical Heritage Foundation headquarters in Old City, now known as The Science History Institute, and residential homes throughout Philadelphia and the Main Line.

Ramla Benaissa, founder and principal of Ramla Benaissa Architects, earned her PhD at the Weitzman School of Design and has taught design and architectural history at University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Her projects include renovations at the Municipal Services Building at 15th and JFK Blvd., Olney Charter High School Athletic Facility, and renovations of units at the Dorchester on Rittenhouse Square.

Judy Robinson founded Continuum Architecture and Design in 2005 at 635 Addison St. The firm’s projects include La Colombe in Fishtown, and the ongoing St. Laurentius Church adaptive reuse project. Named one of the best Green Architects in Philadelphia, Robinson is a member of the US Green Building Council and is passionate about sustainability. She also won a Preservation Alliance Grand Jury Award for her work on the 1905 Crane Stable Building in Northern Liberties.

Kiki Bolender is the owner and principal designer at Bolender Architects, 2118 Locust. She co-founded the Healthy Rowhouse Project and is on the Board of Friends of Historic Sedgeley. In addition to designing Rittenhouse Square and Fitler Square homes, she renovated the 1869 Women’s Humane Society and converted a former firehouse in West Philadelphia into the Dock Street Brewery and Pub. Outside of Philadelphia, Bolender played a big role in the restoration of Asbury Boardwalk of Bruce Springsteen fame.

Architect Mary Holland founded Cicada Architecture and Planning in 1995. Women make up 60 percent of the firm’s professional staff. In addition to working on cultural institution projects like the sustainable Pennypack Environmental Center, Cicada has designed several affordable housing developments and residential homes throughout the city.

Gabrielle Canno, founder and partner of Canno Design, has designed multi-family properties on North Broad Street, Fairmount Ave., and Ridge Ave. She has also worked on popular bars and restaurants including Charlie Was a Sinner and Wishbone in the Gayborhood and Bar Hygge in Fairmont.

Janice Woodcock, founder of Woodcock Design, is a one-person architecture/interior design/planning firm. The former president of AIA Philadelphia and executive director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Woodcock was the designer of the new Fillmore in Fishtown. Her work includes a hi-rise at 1100 Delaware Ave., the Sponge Factory Lofts in South Kensington, and the Frankford Friends School. She has also designed renovations for luxury dwellings on Delancey Place. 

These are just a few of the outstanding Philadelphia female architects impacting our City’s design. Meanwhile, women lead all four Philadelphia architecture schools at Jefferson’s College of Architecture, the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design, Temple’s School of Architecture & Design, and Drexel’s School of Architecture, Design and Urbanism. Interested in learning more about Philadephia’s women in architecture? Check out the Women in Architecture group on Facebook or reach out to Deborah, who holds a master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.

Passive House: The Future of Sustainable Housing

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

A Passive House is a sustainable building that is built adhering to rigorous energy-efficiency standards and requires minimal energy for heating or cooling. It employs the use of smart architectural design and clever engineering to generate heat and avoid losing it.

If you’ve not yet heard of a passive house, you are not alone. They are less common in the US than in Europe where energy costs are very high. However, as more homeowners seek out ways to make their homes more efficient, they are beginning to gain traction in US cities like Philadelphia and revolutionizing sustainable development. We hope this guide inspires you to retrofit your home with energy-efficient technology and, perhaps, consider someday owning a passive house.

Diagram showing Passive House principles for a retrofit. Source: Bright Common

What is a Passive House?

The concept of Passive House was developed by Swedish structural engineer Bo Adamson and German physicist Wolfgang Feist. They were based in Europe, but their studies began by investigating North American projects of the 1970s that were responding to the oil embargo. The first Passive House in North America was built in Urbana, Illinois, in 2003 by German architect Katrin Klingenberg. These early passive house projects helped pioneer energy-efficient housing and led the way to new building standards. 

A Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually airtight building that is primarily heated by passive solar gains and internal heat gains from occupants, cooking, bathing, electrical equipment, etc. Control of summer heat through passive and active shading, window orientation, and passive ventilation helps to limit the cooling load. The remaining minimized heating or cooling demand can then be provided by a small source instead of a larger conventional HVAC system.

Shading your home, particularly windows, can have a significant impact on summer comfort and energy costs. Think of the use of wooden shutters in homes in the Sun Belt. Shading can also be provided by eaves, trees, adjustable louvers, and light-blocking blinds. The same goes for sealing drafts in winter.

Passive House Principles. Source: Remodelista 

To be officially called a passive house, the home must meet strict criteria. Some of the requirements from the International Passive House Association include using 86% less energy for heating and 46% less for cooling compared with other buildings in the same climate. PHIUS certifies the majority of passive house projects in North America with a locally tailored, globally applicable passive building standard.

Passive George

Solo Real Estate collaborated with Jeremy Avellino, principal and design director at Bright Common Architecture & Design previously on the development of Kensington Yards and we’re excited to share that we are working together again on a new sustainable multi-family housing project. Solo’s first passive house development, Passive George, at 1931-1933 W. George Street in Francisville will not be completed until the Spring of 2025, but it generated excitement when a preview was shared with attendees at SBN’s latest sustainable walking tour.

Solo Real Estate and Bright Common worked together on the development of Kensington Yards

“Solo came to me and said they had two small parcels which we re-created to give the 3,200 sq. ft. space the appearance of a single structure,” said Avellino. “Deborah Solo has been a real devotee of sustainability, since before it was cool. Alejandro said ‘it has to be passive.’ They are as passionate about achieving zero energy as I am.”

Sketches for Passive George. Source: Bright Common

Passive George is intended to be perceived as one building, while it is actually a semidetached structure, and Avellino’s design is based on quilts. “The exterior design borrows from established quilting practices,” he said. “The blue terracotta cladding of the primary facade is complimented by the materials which weave and bound its edges.” The main entry and electric vehicle parking space are tucked strategically under the upper levels to provide protection from the elements. A solar array contributes to the project’s goal of zero energy use.

Elevations and Section for Passive Geroge.  Source: Bright Common

As one of Philly’s leading designers of passive houses, Avellino explained, “It’s taken us years of research and design iterations to understand how Passive House opportunities interact with the complexities of urban development constraints, market fluctuations, and workforce conventions. I’m happy to see the industry begin to take the climate crisis seriously, but it has not been fast enough. We need everyone involved in the education, policy, regulatory, development, design, and construction sectors, as well as individuals in the market, to demand a built environment that supports the welfare of people, communities, and the planet.”

Jeremy Avellino

Meanwhile, the demand in urban cities like Philadelphia is growing. “Clients are coming to us with different requests. Some are concerned about noise levels, others want a house that will be resilient during power outages and some just don’t want to pay energy bills.  More recently, we have been asked about eliminating natural gas from homes or how to control indoor air quality when forest fires from across the country impact the air quality here in Philadelphia.  Passive House does a remarkable job of addressing each of these concerns not just individually, but as a holistic integrated process.”

Passive House Benefits

  • Airtight design and balanced ventilation provide superior indoor air quality
  • Thermal control helps keep the inside warmer when it’s cold outside, and cooler when it’s hot outside reducing heating and cooling costs
  • The material and mechanical systems employed maintain appropriate moisture levels in the space to reduce mold and provide comfort
  • Some of these projects have operational carbon neutrality and are set up for energy independence
  • Easy to use and maintain

Even if you are not in the market – yet – for a passive house, we encourage you to explore the many ways of making your current home more energy-efficient. Not ready to install solar panels? Invest in energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and the best windows you can afford. As winter approaches, seal off drafts and make sure that both your roof and basement are in good condition. If you are a renter, consider the advantages of renting in a low-energy building.

Featured Business: Good Buy Supply

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

For Emily Rodia and Jason Rusnack, founders of Good Buy Supply, 1737 E. Passyunk Ave, having a general store was a long-held dream. “We met as students at UArts,” said Emily. “The inspiration came to us on a trip to Canada. We discovered several amazing zero-waste stores and we wondered, “Why don’t we have something like this?”

Emily has always been interested in environmental conservation. “Even after we graduated and had jobs, we kept writing down ideas about our shared vision. We wanted to have a place that provided products that were good for the earth and good for people.” Those dreams had to be put on hold while Emily worked as a manager for another business. “I did a lot of buying and customer service, so I learned the ins and outs while running someone else business,” she said. In 2020, they opened Good Buy Supply in the heart of East Passyunk and the middle of the pandemic. 

Owners Emily Rodia and Jason Rusnack opened Good Buy Supply in East Passyunk in 2020. Image: Jason Rusnock of Good Buy Supply.
Owners Emily Rodia and Jason Rusnack opened Good Buy Supply in East Passyunk in 2020. Image: Jason Rusnock of Good Buy Supply.

Today, Emily handles the day-to-day ordering, inventory, and assisting customers while Jason does the photography for the website and handles what Emily dubs “the heavy work,” refilling 30-gallon drums. They hired their first part-time employee a month ago. A good sign that business is growing.

“We have a lot more products than when we initially opened,” said Emily. “What’s cool is that the recycling and sustainability movement is evolving and we are constantly finding new items. For instance, we have a reusable paper towel. It’s a cotton cloth that has the same thinness and absorbency as a paper towel, but you can put it in a washing machine and use it to repeatedly wipe off counters.” 

Their most popular products are found at the refill bar: hand soap, laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, and body wash. These bulk products come in unscented as well as popular aromas such as Citrus, Lemongrass, Grapefruit, Lavender, and Rosemary Mint Vanilla. To earn 20% off your tenth in-store refill, bring your own clean, dry containers; refill them with any bulk products; and receive a Refill Rewards card and stamp for each container filled. 

You’ll also find things like bamboo toothbrushes and lip balm, plus an extensive selection of food-related items that can really help create a waste-free kitchen. These include reusable beeswax wraps, linen coffee filters, and stainless steel coffee filters instead of plastic ones.

Good Buy Supply features a refill bar with hand soap, laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, and body wash. They also stock sustainable household products like bamboo toothbrushes, beeswax wraps, and stainless steel coffee filters Image: Jason Rusnock of Good Buy Supply.
Good Buy Supply features a refill bar with hand soap, laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, and body wash. They also stock sustainable household products like bamboo toothbrushes, beeswax wraps, and stainless steel coffee filters
Image: Jason Rusnock of Good Buy Supply.

In their home, Emily and Jason cook a mostly plant-based diet and compost all food scraps to reduce waste which is why they made it a point to stock the shop with attractive stainless steel kitchen compost bins with a carbon filter to reduce odors.

The interior of Good Buy Supply, a sustainable general store in East Passyunk, Philadelphia. Image: Jason Rusnock of Good Buy Supply.
The interior of Good Buy Supply, a sustainable general store in East Passyunk, Philadelphia.
Image: Jason Rusnock of Good Buy Supply.

Good Buy Supply is located in East Passyunk, a great neighborhood with a thriving and eclectic suite of small businesses just steps away from each other. “Next door is Philly Typewriter repair shop; their customer base is similar to ours. Nearby is A Novel Idea bookstore and August Moon, a woman’s boutique,” said Emily. “You can get everything you need for your home on the Avenue, from plants at Urban Jungle to flowers at Creations by Coppola. Over half our customers live in the immediate neighborhood,” said Emily who lives with her husband just a ten-minute walk from her shop.  

Another plus? “We are all independent businesses, protected by the business district so we’ll never get a Starbucks or other chain store. It’s also the highest concentration of women owners and we all support one another,” she said.

“We are proud to say that very little waste makes it to the curb at Good Buy Supply,” said Emily. “We have set up programs with Circle Compost, Bottle Underground, Rabbit Recycling, and TerraCycle to keep the shop waste from heading to the landfill. We reuse as much of our vendor packaging as possible for things like our online shipments, business cards, etc.” 

“We ship completely plastic-free! Our packaging is reused from other shipments, so packaging will vary from time to time,” said Emily. “We also have an option for carbon-neutral shipping through Cloverly.”

An interesting footnote for urban anthropologists: Going back to the 1950s, East Passyunk Avenue had previously been filled with mom-and-pop shops serving the needs of local residents. While many are gone, they have been replaced by young owners equally invested in the well-being of the community.

SBN Sustainable and Local Guided Tour of East Passyunk

Good Buy Supply is one of the featured shops that will be part of the Sustainable Business Network’s 2nd Annual Sustainable & Local Tour of East Passyunk. The event will be held on Saturday, September 30, from 11am – 3pm and is sponsored by Solo Real Estate. Guided tours begin at 11am, 12pm, and 1pm. Self guided tours will be throughout the day, as well as scavenger hunts. Stop by to visit Emily and Jason at Good Buy Supply and support sustainable businesses in Philadelphia.

Managing Stormwater & Protecting Our Watershed

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society have joined forces to create the Rain Check Program to help homeowners and renters manage stormwater runoff. Unlike water absorbed by the soil, stormwater runoff carries heavy metals, petroleum products, pathogens, and other pollutants into our rivers and oceans. Billions of gallons of stormwater and diluted sewage flow into local waterways each year. This is the biggest threat to the health of Philadelphia’s waterways and to our homes. Sidewalks buckle, roofs leak, basements grow mold. 

In 2011, PWD created Green City, Clean Waters, a 25-year plan to reduce the volume of stormwater using green infrastructure and traditional infrastructure improvements. As a result, Philadelphia is poised to meet pollution reduction goals by 2036. These goals include improving air quality, saving energy, reducing the heat island effect in the inner city, creating green jobs, increasing property values, boosting the local economy, and restoring our waterways. But they can’t do it alone. They need your help! 

Start by taking a Stormwater Quiz to determine the right stormwater tool for you. The Rain Check Program will share the cost of all the below options:

  • Free rain barrels, 55-gallon food-grade plastic barrels, that capture stormwater runoff from the roof. PWD provides professional installation including spigots, gaskets, winter caps, and a downspout diverter. You can use the stored water for your non-edible plants or outdoor cleaning.
  • Downspout planters are designed to absorb and filter stormwater before it enters the sewer system. All planters come with complementary, low-maintenance plants that are native, adaptive, and drought-tolerant. These plants will come back every spring and have deep, extensive root systems that allow them to absorb and filter stormwater runoff.
  • Rain gardens absorb water from your roof, allowing it to drain directly into the soil.
  • Rain Check will contribute $15 per square foot for permeable pavers, up to a maximum of $1,500 to replace impervious surfaces like concrete or asphalt. With a variety of colors and styles available, this can make a big visual improvement to your property and manage stormwater at the same time.

To be eligible to participate in the program and receive cost benefits, you’ll first need to attend a virtual Rain Check workshop. The workshops are typically hosted twice a month. To be notified when the next session will be, sign up on their website.

Rain garden diagram,

Apply for Watershed Certification

The watershed certification process recognizes residents and building managers, including renters, who employ best practices in managing water resources where they live in their everyday lives, including lifestyle choices that minimize water quality impacts. It applies to anyone who manages a private or shared outdoor space measuring less than 1/4 acre or manages a patio or rooftop garden. This includes container plantings on a sidewalk, roof, or patio, or maintain community green spaces that reduce stormwater runoff. 

To certify your property, navigate to the online application and select the appropriate category. There is no cost for the application or certificate. However, successful applicants will receive a free window/door decal or purchase the Watershed-Friendly Property sign.

Other Ways to Protect our Waterways

  • Wash cars using nontoxic soaps to prevent dirty water from running into your nearest stream.
  • Maintain clean, clear storm drains by removing litter or debris that may cause a blockage. 
  • Avoid flushing or pouring fats, oils, greases, wipes, or toxic substances down storm drains.
  • Use native plants in your yard or container plantings. 
  • Mulch flower beds so they retain water better.
  • Use a broom instead of cleaning patios and driveways solely with water.
  • Use water from a rain barrel to water flower beds and potted plants.
  • Limit lawn watering. Grasses are adapted to periodic drying, and they will green up again once it rains.
  • Turning off faucets when not actively in use, such as when brushing teeth.
  • Capture water for reuse while waiting for shower or bath water to warm up.
  • Control invasive species that impair ecosystem health.

As a homeowner, investor, developer or renter you can make a difference. For more information on financial incentives and grants that the Philadelphia Water Department offers to property owners, project managers, and developers to increase stormwater management on their property visit their site here. They also have a helpful Home Stormwater Guide that offers simple DIYs and educational resources for anyone interested in protecting our waterways.

We hope you will join us and do your part in restoring and protecting Philadelphia’s precious watershed.

The Secret Life of Buildings: Gilded Era Landmarks in Philadelphia

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

From the 1870s to 1910, Philadelphia flexed its industrial muscles, generating a new class of elites: Robber Barons, railroad and steel magnets, real estate developers, and business tycoons. Eager to display their wealth, they engaged the leading architects of their day to design lavish estates and palaces of culture to rival those of Europe. Come with us on a tour of Gilded Age landmarks that remain beautifully preserved in Center City and the surrounding suburbs.

Close up images of Alexander Milne Calder sculptures on Philadelphia’s City Hall. Image: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

City Hall, Broad & Market 

City Hall, the intricate and iconic building that turns driving into a white knuckle competition is a prime example of Gilded Age architecture. William Penn planned it in the 17th century, but it took 200 years to happen and another 30 years to be completed. Designed by John McArthur in Second Empire style in 1871, all of City Hall’s 250 sculptures were designed by Alexander Milne Calder, including the 27-ton statue of William Penn atop the tower. (Yes, Calder is the grandfather of contemporary sculptor Alexander Calder.)

At 548 feet high, City Hall was the tallest structure in the world until 1908 and remained the tallest building in Philly until 1986. However, it is still the largest municipal building in the United States. Regardless of how you feel about its exterior design, the inside of City Hall is worth seeing for its Gilded Era grandeur. For guided tours, including City Hall Tower, visit the Philly Visitor Center. You can also read more about City Hall and its history in our feature here.

Union League, 104 S. Broad St.

The curving double stairs at the entrance to the Union League announce an era where form no longer followed function but instead announced opulence. Originally designed by John Fraser in Second Empire style in May 1865, additions in the Beaux-Arts style were made in 1905 by Horace Trumbauer, expanding it to a full city block. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the Union League is one of the few existing buildings that reflects the architectural elegance of Broad Street during the Gilded Age. Its exterior and interior grandeur were meant to showcase the power and wealth of the City’s industry scions. It closely resembles the same style of architecture used in Paris at that time. 

PAFA, 1900s. Image: Old Images of Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), 118 N. Broad

The oldest art academy and museum in the nation, PAFA was designed by Frank Furness and George Hewitt in the Gothic Revival style in 1871-1876. Here, is an opportunity to literally step inside the elegance of the Gilded Age and marvel at the beauty of the Museum’s second floor with its gilded walls, stained glass windows, cathedral arches, vintage light fixtures, and marble floors. Plus, it showcases American Art. It’s no surprise that PAFA is one of the City’s most popular wedding and event venues. 

Lippincott Mansion Interior.

Lippincott Mansion, 507 S. Broad

Built in 1886 and designed by architect George Pearson, this magnificent mansion was originally the home of James Dundas Lippincott and his wife Alice. It is one of the last remaining mansions of South Broad Street’s “Millionaires Row.” The grand home was once owned by religious leader Father Divine. Since 2008, it has been the showroom and workshop of Frederick Oster’s Vintage Instruments. (This is where the Rolling Stones come to check out a new guitar.) Amazingly, all of the original architectural grandeur is intact. The interior woodwork was milled and carved from oak, chestnut, and mahogany. The stunner? A 10 x 20-foot stained glass skylight can be seen from every floor due to the mansion’s atrium design. 

Charles Ellis Mansion. Image: The RowHouse City

Ellis Mansion, 1439 N. Broad

If you wanted to own a Gilded Age property you had your chance this past May when the mansion, originally owned by streetcar magnate Charles T. Ellis was sold at auction. It was designed by William Drecker in a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Classical elements and constructed in 1890 when North Broad Street was a prestigious address. In 1952, it became another home of Father Divine who invested heavily in real estate and whose organization retained ownership until the recent auction.

Lynnewood Hall Interiors. Images: Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation

Lynnewood Hall, 920 Spring Ave, Elkins Park

With 110 rooms, this is the largest surviving Gilded Age mansion in the Philadelphia area. Designed by Horace Trumbaurer in the Neo-Classical Revival style when he was only 29 for Peter Widener, founder of the City’s trolley lines and one of the 40 richest men in America of his time. Built-in 1897-1900 in limestone, the gigantic mansion was dubbed “the last of the American Versailles.” Note: Some of the furniture at Lynnewood Hall actually came from the Palace of Versailles!

Supposedly, Widener instructed Trumbaurer to create a home where his children would be “comfortable.” Somehow, that resulted in 55 bedrooms, an immense art gallery, a ballroom large enough for 1,000 guests, a swimming pool, wine cellars, a farm, carpentry and upholstery studios, and an electrical power plant. This required a house staff of 60, plus another 60 full-time gardeners. 

All of this opulence foreshadowed a great tragedy when, in 1912, Widener’s son and grandson were among the passengers who died on the Titanic. Three years later Weidener died and his invaluable art collection was gifted to the National Gallery. The estate’s 480 acres were whittled down to 33, making way for the development of Lynnewood Gardens Apartments as well as a separate development of single homes.

Shrouded in grief, the Widener family moved out in the 1940s and the estate changed hands several times and became vacant and overgrown until the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation was established in 2022 with the goal of restoring it to its former breathtaking glory. In June 2023, the house’s sale was completed, and ownership passed to the nonprofit Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation. Their plan calls for restoration of the estate’s formal gardens which are to be open to the public as well as historic restoration of Lynnewood Hall for educational purposes.

These are just a sampling of Philadelphia’s Gilded Age architectural treasures. For information about walking tours, contact The Preservation Alliance, Virtuoso, or try a Self-Guided Walking Tour.

This article is part of a series titled “The Secret Life of Buildings” where we cover the history and architecture behind Philadelphia’s storied buildings. We’ve written about row house styles, courtyards, and star bolts, among other topics. What else would you like to learn about? Follow us and DM us on Facebook or Instagram to let us know!

Featured Business: Fishtown Seafood Company

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

If you love fish stories, wait till you hear Bryan Szeliga’s! Before opening Fishtown Seafood Company at 339 Belgrade St. in 2022, this guy paid his dues. “I grew up fly-fishing, then I worked in the kitchens of James Beard Award-winning chefs in Portland, before working in seafood importing,” Szeliga said. Committed to sustainability and supporting local, women-owned businesses, he doesn’t just want to sell fish. Szeliga wants to “reinvent the customer experience” by educating them on the complex world of aquaculture, starting with where the fish you are eating really comes from.

“What chefs think they know about seafood is generally not correct,” he said.  The same goes for the guy behind the seafood counter at Whole Foods or Giant. According to Szeliga, there’s really not a major difference between wild salmon and farmed.

“Nobody’s talking about the fact that hatcheries release five billion so-called ‘wild’ fish into the rivers,” he said. Another myth buster? ”Sourcing local seafood isn’t practical in Philadelphia. Alaska produces far more seafood than that state can consume,” he said. “I buy domestic Cod, not something imported from Iceland.”

One more fish fact?  Szelig points out that fresh seafood is not necessarily better than frozen, especially if it has spent time being transported in a refrigerated truck or plane. “Compared to regular frozen fish, Super Freezing (-60% C) directly after being caught is much fresher,” he said. 

“Our scallops come from Maine. They are true dayboat scallops by law and they have no added moisture. Once landed, they are Super Frozen to -76 degrees. Our mussels are from the pristine waters of Mount Desert Island. The sustainable Dutch style farming that is used is an environmentally friendly process that yields plump and flavorful mussels,” said Szeliga. “Our littleneck clams are from Reval Island Virginia. Stop in to see if we are currently carrying middle neck or cherrystones.”

“Our shop is cutting edge and forward-thinking on sustainability. Most of our products, I buy direct. We don’t carry Atlantic Salmon. For wild salmon, we have two sources, sockeye from Bristol Bay Salmon and coho salmon from southeast Alaska. Our King Salmon is farm raised in freshwater canals from glacial runoff in New Zealand. This fattier cut is rich and delicious.” 

Szeliga also imports fish from Ecuador and Peru. His Dungeness and Johna crabs are from Kent Island, VA and his lobster is from Canada. “We have the best oyster selection in Philadelphia,” said Szeliga. “We offer top quality East Coast Oysters from Atlantic Canada through New England, New Jersey, and all the way down to Chesapeake Bay,  Our rotating selection allows you to try something different each time you come in.”  If your oyster shucking skills need an upgrade, sign up for a class at Fishtown Seafood.

Not your usual fish store, Fishtown Seafood stocks other products for one-stop dinner shopping. “We are thrilled to partner with Midnight Pasta Company for our house-made selection of pasta and Metropolitan for our baguettes,” said Szeliga. “We also have other grocery staples like eggs, rice, sauces, and drinks. We support as many local businesses as we can. We carry spice and oyster plates made by local women.”

Fishtown Seafood offers specials such as buy one 12 oz bag of shrimp and get one free every Wednesday.  Stop by for Friday Happy Hour, 1-6 pm, when oysters are just a dollar each as long as you purchase a minimum of six per variety selected. From Friday to Sunday, get 18 oysters and caviar for $50 while the supply lasts. Note: Their caviar comes from the roe of sturgeon and trout harvested by sport fishermen.

Want to eat seafood at home but are unsure how to prepare it? Have concerns about sustainability and human rights associated with seafood? No problem, stop in and ask.  “We care about sustainability and human rights and are happy to share industry and culinary knowledge about the products we sell,” said Szeliga.

Love Where You Live: 5 Reasons Philadelphia Is A Great Place To Live

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

How do I love thee, Philadelphia? Let me count the ways! Some fall hard for Philadelphia’s history and architecture. Others are passionate about our sports teams (Go Eagles!), and many swoon over Philadelphia’s cultural offerings. Here are our top 5 reasons we love where we live; and why you too should fall in love with Philadelphia.

1. History: Philadelphia is a City of Firsts!

We were the nation’s first capital, had the first hospital, and were the first to grant religious freedom. We had the first fire department; university; botanical garden; stock exchange; mint; art school; art museum; zoo; African American church; world’s fair. Philadelphia also had the first Thanksgiving Parade! Did you know the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in NYC came later?

Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1975.
Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1975. Temple Digital Collections.

2. World-Class Architecture

Philly is an architect’s paradise, from our 18th-century Federal and Georgian structures to 19th-century Greek Revival and Victorian buildings designed by William Strickland, John Haviland, Frank Miles Day, and Frank Furness. We also have the distinction of having the first skyscraper, the former PSFS office tower, designed in the International Style by George Howe and William Lascaze in 1931.

Deborah Solo, Solo Real Estate owner and broker, appreciates Philadelphia’s architectural treasures.

“Having trained as an architect, living in the Rittenhouse Square area offers me constant opportunities to explore some of Philadelphia’s architectural treasures. While as a lover of history, I’m spoiled for choice when it comes to seeing the layers of this city’s past continue to inform our communities and futures,” said Solo Real Estate owner and broker, Deborah Solo.

Solo Property Manager, Amy Noroski shares Deborah’s love of Rittenhouse Square, especially in the Spring and Fall. “It’s a great spot to have a picnic, people watch, and enjoy whatever musicians are playing,” she said.

3. Abundant Green Space: Parks, Gardens, Trails

William Penn’s “Greene Country Towne” was designed in 1638 with five public squares for the health of its residents. Logan Circle, Rittenhouse Square, Franklin Square, Washington Square, and Centre Square, now known as Penn Center, continue to be a source of pleasure for Philadelphians. Within the City limits, we also have Fairmount Park’s 2,000 acres of rolling hills and natural landscapes on both sides of the Schuylkill River, offering a vast recreation area for city dwellers.

The piece de resistance is the Schuylkill River Trail. A favorite spot for Solo agent, Rebecca Nichols-Franqui, the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) offers 30 miles of scenic walking, jogging, and bicycling. “You can hop on through the South Street Bridge ramp, and enjoy the views leading up to the Art Museum, up Kelly Drive, and, if you’re ambitious, all the way to the Wissahickon!” she said.

Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk

Deborah Solo appreciates the city’s abundance of parks and public spaces with historic charm. “The walkability, ease of access to shops, restaurants, and attractions like the Rittenhouse Farmers Market, River Walk, and the charm of Fitler Square are just some of the wonderful things about where I live. I am also proud to have been a part of creating Liberty Lands Park in Northern Liberties where I lived and raised my children for thirty years.”

Another of Deborah’s favorite places is Columbus Park in the Passyunk Square Neighborhood. “I have spent many hours at the park with my beloved granddaughter Miriam and look forward to taking her sister, Gloria there as well,” said Deborah.

Solo Property Manager Amy Noroski on a hike in Philadelphia.
Solo Property Manager Amy Noroski on a hike in Philadelphia.

“I love where I live because there is always something to do,” said Solo Property Manager Amy Noroski, “Sporting events, live music venues, green spaces in Fairmount park and the Wissahickon Trails, plus exceptional bars and restaurants. My favorite places are The Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in West Fairmount Park, the Horticultural Society Grounds, and the Azalea Garden behind the Art Museum. They take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city, allow you to decompress, and enjoy the magnificent array of flowers and greenery.”

Shofuso Japanese Garden. Image: Visit Philly.

Amy also loves Matthias Baldwin Park at 423 N. 19h St. “Friends of the Park maintain it so well and the landscape architect designed a truly beautiful space with a view of the skyline and the moon as it rises in the evenings.” Like many Phillies fans, another of Noroski’s favorite places is Citizens Bank Park when her team is in the playoffs.

4. Renowned Arts & Cultural Institutions

When it comes to the arts, Philly has few competitors. Voice and music students come from around the world to study at Curtis Institute and the Academy of Vocal Arts. The Philadelphia Orchestra takes no prisoners! The same can be said of our theaters, including the Wilma, Suzanne Roberts, and Arden. Art lovers from Manhattan to Paris flock to our Barnes Foundation which houses the world’s largest collection of French Impressionist painters. (Even the Louvre is envious.) When it comes to dance, Philly is on the move, from the PA Ballet to PhilDanco and the Koresh Dance Company. And let’s not forget, “the Philly sound” was created by Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia International Records. If you love jazz, we’ve got you covered at Chris Jazz Cafe, South Jazz Kitchen, and the Clef Club.

Academy of Music. Image: Visit Philly.

Solo Blogger Stacia Freedman has a deep appreciation for the narrow cobblestone streets, charming alleys, and Trinity houses that echo the City’s past but her favorite places in Philadelphia are all about the city’s art and cultural offerings. “I love the Academy of Music and its younger sister the Kimmel Center. Whenever I have out-of-town guests, I always take them to the Constitution Center and the Barnes Foundation,” she said.

5. Culinary Mecca: Restaurants and International Cuisine

Foodies rejoice! With several James Beard Awards under our belt, Philly is now officially a nationally recognized culinary mecca. Not just at expense account restaurants with two-month waiting lists, but at intimate eateries featuring inventive international cuisines.

One of Deborah’s favorite places is Reading Terminal Market. “This is such a Philadelphia institution and it represents what I love so much about our city. The communal experience of buying and enjoying multi-ethnic food in a historic building displays our diversity, culture, and vibrancy,” she said.

A Philly favorite. Reading Terminal Market Interior. Image: Visit Philly

Solo agents Alejandro Franqui and Rebecca Nichols-Franqui also love Reading Terminal Market for its variety and vibrant ‘city feel’. “Reading Terminal Market will always be on the top of my Philly favorites lists. I love the commotion, the mix of tourists and locals on lunch breaks, and trying something different every time I go,” said Rebecca.

Rebecca Nichols-Franqui and Alejandro Franqui love the variety and vibrancy of Reading Terminal Market.
Rebecca Nichols-Franqui and Alejandro Franqui love the variety and vibrancy of Reading Terminal Market.

Alejandro agreed and added “it’s a place where seemingly everyone in Philadelphia goes to shop and eat — and tourists love it too so it strikes a great balance. Similar markets in other cities lack the vitality that Reading Terminal has. Probably because they lack the locals coming to buy from butchers, produce sellers, and shops.”

A City Of Neighborhoods

Philadelphia is a City of neighborhoods, each with something to love.

Rebecca Nichols-Franqui lives in Passyunk Square and appreciates the neighborhood feel. “I love that Passyunk very much feels like a neighborhood, yet still has such easy access to all that Philadelphia has to offer. We know our neighbors, recognize kids at the park, and still can walk to dinner in Center City easily as well. We are also an easy few BSL stops away from the stadiums — so of course we had to finally get our Phillies season tickets!” added Rebecca.

Whether you live in University City, East Passyunk, Bella Vista, Queen Village, Old City, Fairmount, Germantown or Fishtown, there is a strong sense of community. You can participate in community clean ups, gardens and street fairs, enjoy local parks, support independently owned shops, buy fresh produce at farmers’ markets, develop lasting friendships and take pride in your neighborhood.

The Secret Life of Buildings: Philadelphia’s Iconic City Hall

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Philadelphia’s City Hall commands attention. Placed at the crossroads of Broad and Market Streets, it serves as an architectural compass, dividing the City into north, south, east, and west. Walking through its monumental archways inspires awe. Driving around it requires Indie 500 skills. No other American city has such a colossal building that, literally, stops traffic. How did it come to be? Read on to find out!

City Hall History

Philly’s first City Hall was built during the time of William Penn and was located on 2nd Street. Its ground floor served as a jail. In 1791, the second City Hall, now known as Old City Hall,  opened in a Federal-style red brick building which still stands today adjacent to Independence Hall. During the 1790s, it served as the US. Supreme Court and is open to the public today.

Old City Hall, Philadelphia’s first City Hall is adjacent to Independence Hall. Image: Antoine Taveneaux via Wikimedia Commons.
Philadelphia’s City Hall Under Construction, 1881. Photo: City of Philadelphia, Dept of Records. PhillyHistory.org

As the City grew, so did its ambition.  In 1870, voters selected City Hall’s current site at what is now Dilworth Plaza (formerly Penn Square) for what would be the largest City Hall in the nation. Designed in the Second-Empire Mode of French Renaissance Revival architectural style by architect John McArthur, Jr., construction began in 1872.

City Hall plaque. Image: Asce.org

Completed in 1901, Philadelphia’s current City Hall is an iconic building but it was also an engineering feat. A 2006 brass plaque at its base from the American Society of Civil Engineers states, “The building is still the world’s tallest masonry load-bearing structure made of 88 million bricks and thousands of tons of stone…it is the nation’s most elaborate seat of municipal government.” 

Philadelphia City Hall, 1910. Photo: Phillyhistory.org

City Hall Architecture and Sculptures

The walls are brick, faced with white marble, and the seven-story building measures 486 feet by 470 feet. The Tacony Iron and Metal Company hired civil engineer C.R. Grimm to design the upper wrought-iron frame, metal-clad portion of the tower, which surmounted the masonry tower and supported the 37-foot-tall, 27-ton bronze statue of William Penn. Sculptor Alexander Milne Calder designed the 37-foot high, 27-ton bronze statue, cast in fourteen sections at Tacony Iron and Metal Company.  It took two years to complete and was installed in 1894. 

City Hall’s Observation Deck is currently closed. Photo: M. Edlow for Independence Visitor Center.

At one time, every eighth grader in the City was taken to the top of William Penn’s hat for a spectacular view of the City.  The creation of an observation deck below Penn’s feet brought the view down to 548 feet, but it is currently closed due to the pandemic but tours of City Hall are still available at the Love Park Visitor Center kiosk.

The William Penn statue. Photo by M.Edlow for Visit Philadelphia.

Did you know William Penn is not alone up there? Take a close look and you’ll find 250 sculptures of nature, artists, educators, and engineers who embodied American ideals, including several sculptures of the building’s designer McArthur and two Native Americans. BillyPenn.com has a guide to all 250 sculptures, including bison and cats.

Preservation & Restoration

Did you know our iconic City Hall building was almost demolished? In the mid-1950s, the city considered demolishing the building and erecting a new one elsewhere. According to an article in the New York Times, “calls for the demolition of City Hall began when it was less than 20 years old and persisted for decades.”

At the time, Edmund Bacon was the Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and renowned architect Louis I. Kahn was the master planning consultant. Both advocated for demolishing the building due to the building’s disruption of traffic as well as its Second Empire architectural style, which had already fallen out of fashion by the time it was built. Louis I. Kahn called it “the most disreputable and disrespected building in Philadelphia.”

In a victory for historic preservation, the building was saved and remains today, not because of public outcry but because cost estimates to demolish it came in equal to the cost of construction. The high cost of removing it and objections from members of the American Institute of Architects caused the city to acquiesce.

As early as 1910, City Hall Tower was covered in a layer of black soot, due to coal being the primary source of power in the city. The soot was not removed until the 1960s and again in the 1980s during a restoration project that lasted more than 5 years. Yimby provides is a closer look at the restoration that took place in the 1980s.

Close up images of Alexander Milne Calder sculptures on Philadelphia’s City Hall. Image: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Dilworth Park: The Heart Of The City

Surrounding City Hall is Dilworth Park. In 2014, Dilworth Plaza, named for Mayor Richardson Dilworth (1956-1962), originally designed in 1972,  was totally redesigned and renamed Dilworth Park. This transformation turned an under-utilized and unsafe area into a brightly lit recreational center currently featuring the Rothman Orthopedics Ice Rink, the Deck the Hall Light Show and it recently hosted the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market.

City Hall and Dilworth Park lights up during the holiday season. Images: Cara Stapleton for Solo Real Estate.

In the spring, Dilworth Park hosts fitness classes, roller skating specials, and performances from some of Philadelphia’s many arts and cultural organizations. A beautifully appointed park with an interactive fountain, lawn, and tree grove seating areas, it features a café. Festivals live musical performances, outdoor movie screenings, and happy hour specials bring an audience to the park at all hours of the day and night. All of this takes place above a major transit hub and under the watchful eyes of our City’s founder, William Penn.

This article is part of a series titled “The Secret Life of Buildings” where we cover the history and architecture behind Philadelphia’s storied buildings. We’ve written about row house styles, courtyards, and star bolts, among other topics. What else would you like to learn about? Follow us and DM us on Facebook or Instagram to let us know!