Divine Intervention

reincarnation ahead?: A commercial real-estate brokerage lists the Divine Lorraine for $12.5 million.
Photo By: Michael T. Regan

A North Philly landmark is up for sale.

by Mike Newall

The historic Divine Lorraine Hotel, which has sat idle and decaying for five years, was put on the market last week. The 121-year-old cultural and architectural landmark — and nearly four acres surrounding it — is listed at $12.5 million [Cover story, "Left Behind," Michael T. Regan and Mike Newall, Jan. 13, 2005].

In November, the Divine's current owners, 699 N. Broad Street Associates, purchased the vacant lots surrounding the hotel, a move that would allow a sale to proceed. The largest batch of ground on North Broad Street between City Hall and Temple University, it occupies advantageous real estate at the intersection of Broad Street and Fairmount and Ridge avenues. Its development, say those marketing the building, will likely be the linchpin of efforts to resuscitate the North Broad corridor.

Built in 1894 during Philly's Gilded Age, the Lorraine was originally designed as a luxury apartment house for nouveau-riche industrialists. She was built in grandeur: 10 stories of Pompeian brick and ornate marble; oversized, lavish suites with tile-lined fireplaces; rooms even had electric lighting and telephone service. In 1948, it became home to the Universal Peace Mission Movement of Father Divine, the controversial religious leader who claimed to be Christ incarnate. Under the Peace Mission's watch, the Lorraine was re-christened the Divine Lorraine and became Philadelphia's first major integrated hotel. Rates were cheap and the hotel was often full with clientele ranging from businessmen and holy rollers to traveling students and reformed stumblebums. Today, it is cold and spectral inside.

Jonathan Stavin, the broker handling the sale for commercial real estate brokerage CB Richard Ellis, says many developers are expressing interest (he wouldn't name them) and that the Divine will probably be converted into a swanky apartment house and retail space.

"North Broad is really poised to take off," says Stavin. "You have major development occurring on almost every block between City Hall and the Divine. At one time, the Divine was the center of North Philadelphia's universe. It could very likely return as the center of North Broad."