Situated just southwest of Germantown Avenue at 25 W. Penn Street lies a 4-story split level Clubhouse that has continuously served Germantown youth for 125 years. This is the story of that Clubhouse and the creative and socially conscious measures that saved it from the wrecking ball, transforming it into The Ralph J. Roberts Boys and Girls Club.

Built in 1898 for the advancement of local boys, the Club suffered economic challenges since the beginning and by the 1930s the building was already seriously inadequate. Since the 1940s, with Germantown’s economic decline and demographic shifts, both the landmark and offered programming have slowly declined. A 1985 assessment found that the rear wing and pool were abandoned and badly deteriorated; the basement regularly flooded; and windows and exterior envelope were in poor condition. Overall, the building failed to meet modern life-safety codes, needed upgrades were not attempted, and in the ensuing decades only certain spaces could be used for limited services. By 2016 the Clubhouse could no longer operate under its conditions even though its mission was critical for the disadvantaged neighborhood. Given its nonprofit nature, it was thought that a NEW singlestory facility maximizing the property would provide modern spaces, straight-forward circulation, minimize infrastructure, and be completely accessible. BUT…The community was concerned about the new building’s impact on the streetscape. Historians were upset about the loss of a local landmark. The site would lose most of its field space. A year was spent debating the merits of demolition; the architects researching all historical, community, zoning, and programming implications; all scenarios constantly circling back around to “Could the existing structure be leveraged, preserved and rejuvenated?”. In 2017, the Club announced foregoing demolition and instead TRANSFORMING the deteriorating site.

The exterior needed massive restoration; the team salvaged historic elements in a precise application of techniques to reduce the cost associated with a full exterior restoration. All building shell/masonry was reused/repaired. The pool and pump house had been in the process of collapse since the 1970s and required complete removal. Internally, problem solving for accessibility, streamlined circulation, and associated safety was challenging due to the complex split-level interior boasting SEVEN different levels within a FOUR-story building. The upstairs gymnasium’s beautiful heavy timber wood trusses needed extensive restoration. To reduce construction material waste and preserve historic interior details, the trusses were repaired rather than replaced. The renovation of the central stair corridor straddled the line between maintaining and modernizing; history and safety. Spaces created include a Literacy Center, Learning Center, STEM class, Tech Center, Teen Center, two Gyms, Music Room, Cafe, and Game Room.

The Ralph J. Roberts Boys and Girls Club is the ultimate model of community, professional, corporate, and non-profit voices and ideas collectively driving needed progress. The $9.3 million transformation preserves the historic neighborhood fabric while continuing to serve the community’s disadvantaged youth. The Germantown Club, moving into its 126th year of service, will provide programming after school, weekends & during the summer for over 3,000 youth annually.

Project Partners:

• Owner/ Developer –  Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia
• Architect – Heckendorn Shiles Architects
• General Contractor –  Daniel J. Keating Company
• Structural Engineer – O’Donnel & Naccarato
• Mechanical Engineer – Wick Fisher White Engineers