4200 Pine: New Homeownership Opportunities in University City
October 10, 2006, Volume 53, No. 7	Print Issue

4200 Pine Street is being developed by Campus Apartments in association with Penn to convert the property into luxury residential condominiums. The property—in the heart of the Spruce Hill section of University City—was originally a residence and is now being returned to residential use. The century-old French Renaissance mansion designed by Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer (1868-1938) was built in 1904 for the Charles Eisenlohr family, owners of the Conco Cigar Company. That year, Architectural Record wrote, “his work exhibits the eclectic facility which is one of the characteristics of the modern American architect.” Trumbauer also built a home for Charles’s brother, Otto, at 3812 Walnut, which has served as the President’s House since the Hackney administration, after the Trustees passed a resolution to designate it as such. Irvine Auditorium, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Widener Library at Harvard University were among the 600 projects designed by Trumbauer.

In addition to the magnificent mansion, with its four fireplaces, there are two adjoining buildings on the one-acre plot that were previously the headquarters of the American College of Physicians. Penn bought the complex in 1989 and had used it until last year to house various administrative offices that have since been moved to the core of campus. Penn recently sold the property to Campus Apartments, the developers, who intend to create 28 modern light-filled condominiums overlooking a large landscaped courtyard and gated grounds, with parking and basement storage. There are one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans in addition to the five-bedroom mansion, with a courtyard view and a private terrace. Nine of the condos are already pre-sold. Construction has begun, and the opening is now slated for January of 2007.

At a recent open house event, Paul Sehnert, director of Real Estate Development at Penn described this as “a culmination of a dream.”

Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli said, “this will create a more sustainable neighborhood.”

This redevelopment is a ‘mission-driven’ goal for Penn to provide more housing options in the neighborhood for faculty and staff, as well as the general public interested in living in University City. These condos will also be offered for sale to the general public. These condominiums are not only within the Penn-Alexander School catchment area but are also within the boundaries for the Penn mortgage programs. Penn faculty and staff eligible for the program could have their entire mortgage guaranteed. Another feature is the ten-year tax abatement.

Campus Apartments operates 550 off-campus housing units that Penn  owns in University City.  Developer David Adelman said that this project continues their “strong partnership with Penn and creates homeownership and distinctive living in University City.” Original architectural details such as columned porches and tall end chimneys combine with modern luxuries and 24-hour security.

The architect for the project is the Philadelphia-based firm Qb3.

The entrance to the stately Trumbauer mansion.	Inside the front doors, the grand staircase leads up to the five bedrooms.	At 4200 Pine Street, the mansion is getting a new lease on life, along with the adjoining buildings that are becoming condominiums.
For floor plans and more information, see www.4200pine.com/development/index.html.