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Long-Term Leasing
Process & FAQs
Case Studies
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Process
There is a formal process for leasing and rehabilitating historic Park
properties that all interested parties must follow. This process is outlined in a document
called Procedures and Standards for Leasing and Adaptively Reusing Historic Properties in
Fairmount Park. If you would like to receive a copy of this document, please
download the following form and submit it to the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust, 3250 W. Sedgeley
Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131-3724.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I live in a Fairmount Park house?
Not under the long-term leasing program. Several of the Fairmount Park properties have
caretakers in residence; however, this is the only capacity which individuals are permitted
to live in the Park houses. If you are interested in becoming a caretaker, please send your
resume and a cover letter expressing your interest to the Trust's offices.
Can I buy a property in Fairmount Park?
No. The properties in Fairmount Park are owned by the City of Philadelphia, and are not for
sale. However, a long-term lease will allow you to feel confident that you will be the
beneficiary of the capital improvements you make to the property.
Why should I invest in a property I cannot own?
A long-term lease on a Fairmount Park property will allow you to feel secure in your investment.
Although you cannot build equity in the building, your lease gives you many of the same occupancy
rights as owning a property. There are intagible benefits to leasing an historic property in
Fairmount Park. A long-term lease on a property will provide your organization not only with
the space it needs, but also a landmark headquarters. The office/classroom/meeting space you gain
will be rich in historic character. Additionally, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that
you have preserved one of Philadelphia's cultural treasures.
Can I build an addition, remove a section of the building, or otherwise change the structure?
Each property has different needs, as does each investing organization. The needs of
the building and organization will be considered on a case by case basis. On rare occasions,
alterations including additions have been authorized, however, an organization seeking to
demolish a portion of a building will likely be better suited to a smaller building. It is
important to understand that all work on Fairmount Park properties under lease by the Trust
must be authorized by the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust and all other necessary
agencies (e.g. the Philadelphia Historical Commission, the Philadelphia Art Commission, the
Fairmount Park Commission) prior to any intervention.
Who is eligible to negotiate a long-term lease on an historic building?
Both for profit and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to officially express interest in
a long-term lease, as long as they are open to the public. Any organization interested in a
long-term lease must be able to prove a strong management and financial history, and demonstrate
its potential for continued growth and development.
How long does the leasing process usually take?
From the time an organization completes the official Expression of Interest until the
organization takes occupancy of the building will depend on a number of factors, including
how much work the building needs, the schedules of the administrative bodies authorizing the
project, and the time of year. In general, a construction project of significant scale will
take approximately 9-12 months to complete.
How much money is required to restore and maintain a building?
As always, this depends on the needs of the building. Most of the properties available for
long-term leasing will require significant capital investments for their restoration.
Annual maintenance will vary based on use and size. The investment required may be costly,
but these properties are some of the most architecturally significant properties in the nation,
and as such, must be maintained according to the Standards set by the Secretary of the Interior.
Additionally, in the restoration process, the long-term lessee will be required to retain as much
historic fabric as possible. For example, the use of replacement windows is rarely approved.
However, if the existing windows are deemed irreparable by the Fairmount Park Historic
Preservation Trust staff, then the Trust would require that they be replaced with true
divided light wood windows that meet certain specifications. Restoration to this level is
frequently more costly, but ultimately results in the best preservation of the building.
How have other properties been used? What kinds of uses are considered appropriate?
Many uses are considered appropriate, including office, classroom, meeting, and catering
spaces. Current uses include a resource center for cancer patients and their families, an
historic site, an educational facility, and a restaurant. Other potential uses are office
space, centers for community-based organizations, and performance space, among others.
If you are unsure as to whether or not your proposed use is appropriate, please do not hesitate
to call the Trust's offices to discuss your idea.
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