Bok high school building sells to newcomer developer for $2.1M

A newcomer to the Philadelphia real estate scene has bought the Edward W. Bok Technical High School at 1901 S. 9th St. in South Philadelphia and has plans to convert it into a mixed-use complex.

Lindsey Scannapieco of Scout Ltd. bought the 8-story, 338,000-square-foot building for $2.1 million from the School District of Philadelphia. Built in 1938 and designed with three-distinct tower, the district closed Bok in June 2013.

Those familiar with Philadelphia real estate will at least recognize the Scannapieco name. Lindsey Scannapieco is the daughter of Tom Scannapieco, a developer who built 1706 Rittenhouse Square and is proposing to construct a condominium tower at 5th and Walnut streets in Philadelphia. While Lindsey Scannapieco is undertaking this project on her own, her father will be involved in some aspects of it.

For the last six years, the younger Scannapieco has lived in London operating an urban design firm that specializes in "activating and animating vacant or underutilized spaces in inclusive, resourceful and playful ways," according to its website.

To that end, Lindsey Scannapieco envisions taking the Bok building and converting it into a "creative center for that part of Philadelphia. It's something that speaks to its heritage," she said, noting that the project would tap into the burgeoning entrepreneurial and creative bent of the

neighborhood.

"This isn't your normal place but some place special and unique," she said. "I feel that area has a lot of grit, character and creative energy."

Co-working space will be part of the plans along with what she referred to as "dirty" space, where people can pay a fee to use equipment, such as a metal welder or 3-D printer, for products they make. A portion the building will be converted into live-work space as well as incorporating retail and restaurants.

"There are a couple of these types of facilities operating in Philadelphia but we think there is room for more, specifically in this neighborhood," Lindsey Scannapieco said.

A budget hasn't been determined and Scout just got the green light yesterday from the

school district and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. to formally acquire the property. The project will be phased and the Bok name will be kept.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal