Penn Ave

Two long-abandoned buildings on Penn Avenue—once silent fixtures of Scranton’s Historic District—have been transformed into a modern residential project that builds on the strong rental demand shaping downtown’s revival. Though the pair of three-story structures shared a party wall and a long chapter of vacancy, they offered the kind of raw material that makes adaptive reuse both challenging and rewarding. Today, they collectively house ten thoughtfully designed rental units, a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments that bring new life to this historic stretch of the city.

At street level, the deteriorated storefronts were replaced with a new, modern façade—a clean architectural insertion that provides flexibility for future use without competing with the historic brick above. While the ground floor establishes a fresh presence along Penn Avenue, the project’s true identity is found in the residential levels, where existing character and contemporary design converge.
Inside the apartments, exposed brick walls, tall ceilings, and original structure form a rich architectural backdrop. New thermally efficient windows draw daylight deep into the units, improving comfort and creating bright, inviting living spaces. Modern kitchens, clean-lined finishes, and restrained detailing elevate the interiors while allowing the buildings’ texture and history to remain central. Each one- and two-bedroom layout is designed with clarity, simplicity, and everyday livability in mind.

The project responds directly to downtown Scranton’s healthy and persistent rental market, contributing a new supply of high-quality units within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the civic core. Structural upgrades, modern mechanical systems, and improved thermal performance ensure long-term resilience, while the renewed exterior presence reinforces the growing momentum of residential life on Penn Avenue.
What were once forgotten buildings now stand as a unified residential anchor—historic above, modern below—offering warm, character-rich homes and a strong vote of confidence in the continued evolution of downtown Scranton.