Chestnut Hill Community Centre To Undergo Renovations

CHESTNUT HILL, PHILADELPHIA — The historic Chestnut Hill Community Centre will soon undergo renovation to modernize and expand its historically certified 200-year-old building.

Next week, a groundbreaking ceremony will mark the start of the renovations.

The renovations, designed by historical preservation firm John Milner Architects, seek to create a diverse, inclusive place for non-profits and increase the center’s overall sustainability.

Renovation plans include preserving the building’s historically certified registration, increasing square footage, adding energy efficiencies, and increasing its ADA compliance.

The center will also be adding coworking spaces, conference rooms, and a large multi-purpose room that can be used for meetings and conferences by organizations leasing or renting space.

Additionally, the renovations extend to the center's exterior with plans to create a new side entrance to the building as well as an outdoor gathering space convenient to Germantown Avenue and its parking lot.

These efforts will ensure the center becomes more sustainable and increase availability to local residents and the non-profit community.

Renovations are expected to be complete by Spring 2022.

The center has been accommodating the needs of the non-profit community in the building donated by Gertrude Houston Woodward in 1917 and has provided a home to many organizations over the years including the League of Women Voters, the Red Cross, the Historical Society, and the Girl Scouts of America.

For now, the center houses The Seybert Foundation, Alcoholics Anonymous, counselors for adults and children, and meeting space for various community organizations.

Friends of Wissahickon will become the building’s lead tenant once the renovations have been completed and provide it with its long-sought permanent home.