'Worth Saving?

by Nicole Sarrubbo

In 1957, Mayor Richardson Dilworth built a Colonial-revival style house in Society Hill and moved his family there in an effort to renew a neighborhood that had been considered a slum for decades. Clearly, the revitalization plan was a success.

Soon, however, the Philadelphia Historical Commission will consider a proposal to replace Dilworth's home at 223-225 S. Sixth St. with a 15-story condominium building to be designed by renowned architect Robert Venturi. But with Society Hill designated a historical district and the Dilworth house deemed historically "significant," locals are fighting mad.

"Demolishing the Dilworth house is like ripping the heart out of Society Hill," says Paul Boni, vice president of the Society Hill Civic Association, which has collected more than 1,100 signatures on a petition opposing the demolition. Boni says developer and owner John Turchi is "almost trying to trade on the value of Venturi's good reputation and he is trying to use that reputation to change the focus from where it should be."

Boni emphasizes the importance of the Dilworth house and acknowledges Venturi's past successes but argues there are many other lots in the area on which he can build. The building plans feature 12 condo units, each of which covers an entire floor, plus a two-story penthouse. (Venturi's achievements range from the Guild House located at 711 Spring Garden St. to the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery in London to the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego.)

Turchi has applied for a demolition permit and is awaiting approval; if given the go-ahead, he says he would like construction to begin within six months. The developer disagrees with neighborhood-group assertions that the current property is of substantial worth.

"The building there now is out of place. I don't think the house has any real value," says Turchi, adding he'd like to create a large and attractive monument to commemorate Dilworth and his achievements.

The property has been under debate since September 2003, when the Historical Commission voted on Turchi's original proposal. At the time, he wanted to renovate the Dilworth house by demolishing and rebuilding the rear wing while adding a two-story, three-car garage. The committee approved a revised design that Turchi did not implement.

Boni says neighbors would welcome Turchi as a neighbor, provided he doesn't raze the current property. "It's a gorgeous house," he says. "Whoever lives in it would be the king of the city."