Preserving a Community Landmark with the Wynnefield Overbrook Redevelopment Corporation

Regional Housing Legal Services (RHLS) provided critical legal services to the Wynnefield Overbrook Redevelopment Corporation (WORC) to preserve a long-standing and significant community landmark, while simultaneously providing housing for area seniors.

The Wynne Ballroom was originally a movie theater until the mid 1950s, when it was sold to a community civic leader and converted to a ballroom and catering facility. The facility witnessed significant milestones for many area families for nearly forty years, until the death of its owner in 1993.

Though the ballroom closed and the building quickly fell into disrepair, the architecture and the building’s signage remained significant community landmarks. In 2013, Pennrose, a national developer of affordable housing headquartered in Philadelphia, saw its development potential and began working with WORC to assess the best use of the facility based on the community’s needs.

After a significant process of incorporating community voices into the planning of the structure’s redevelopment, Pennrose and the WORC have designed the building so that post construction, Wynne Senior Residences  will contain 51 units of housing for seniors, with the first floor reserved for retail space and a community center. The building’s signage has temporarily been removed for restoration, and will regain its place in the community as the building takes on a new life.

Dina Schlossberg is  proud to have served as WORC counsel on this project and RHLS is glad it could have a role in preserving a community landmark with such meaning to its neighbors. Check back for updates!

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