H
istoric preservation in Philadelphia has become a clash not only with developers but also with homeowners and pro‑housing groups. For years the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia has been told that protecting old buildings stifles growth, cuts density, and limits the housing supply. To test those claims, the Alliance commissioned a comprehensive study of the economic and housing impacts of preservation. The findings challenge the conventional narrative: historic rehabilitation safeguards affordability, attracts investment, maintains density, and fuels population growth. The report also maps how much of the city is now historically designated.

    From 2017 to 2022, corporate buyers acquired one in four homes sold in the city. Most of these properties are held for rental, according to research by the Reinvestment Fund and Rutgers Law School. While smaller investors still dominate the market, larger corporate landlords are on the rise. These investors compete directly with low‑income buyers, often paying in cash and securing properties before they hit the market.

    A long‑vacant building on North Broad Street will be converted into apartments and a restaurant, illustrating how adaptive reuse can revitalize blighted sites. Two of New Jersey’s priciest homes on the public market now accept offers in cryptocurrency, a move that has helped a buyer secure a rancher in Collingswood quickly.

    In a Victorian rowhouse in Fitler Square, resident Natalie LaBossier showcases a curated mix of antiques and thrifted pieces—mid‑century mahogany cabinets, fruit‑shaped ceramic measuring cups, a French Empire settee—creating a living space that blends history with contemporary style.

    Last week’s photo quiz highlighted the former Painted Bride Art Center on Vine Street, now adorned with Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic mural “Skin of the Bride.”

    While most households have abandoned landlines, a small but growing group of families still value them as a simple, reliable alternative to smartphones, especially for children.

    Other local stories: Delaware County’s council race centers on rising property taxes; a South Jersey VFW is up for sale after 101 years; Philadelphia has seen an uptick in stand‑alone parking garage proposals; a city lawmaker is pushing a bill that would add red tape to university land sales in West Philly; and a historically designated rowhouse in Washington Square West is listed for $799,900, featuring a private brick patio.