J-centrel communicates a balance of old and new, heritage and modernity, through its architectural foundation and its community-focused heart. It pays homage to the history, heritage, and resiliency of the Harrowgate and Kensington neighborhoods of Philadelphia. A once economic engine that housed looms, sewing machines, and furniture manufacturing has been re-energized to create workspaces for the next evolution of makers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and purpose-driven organizations and quality living for community builders. 

J-centrel is a historic renovation and adaptive reuse of a former loom mill and furniture factory turned workforce housing and ground floor retail, and space for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The development is 155,000 square feet and comprises +/-30,000 square feet of commercial space, 116 apartment residences, and a central landscaped courtyard with two sky bridges original to the building. The apartments are primarily loft-style studios, with a few 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom apartments. J-centrel is home to Càphê Roasters, Philadelphia’s first and only Vietnamese specialty coffee roaster, located on the ground floor and accessible to the main street. J-centrel showcases multiple tenant and resident meeting points via an integrated commercial corridor, the outdoor courtyard, and integrated tenant lounge. J-centrel is located in the Harrowgate and Kensington neighborhoods of Philadelphia and has been incredibly positive for the walkability and foot traffic of the surrounding blocks. The site is transit oriented, only one block from Septa Tioga El Station of the Market Frankford Line, the second busiest transit line in all of Philadelphia.

J-centrel is designed to be Philadelphia’s most civically engaged mixed-use project. J-centrel is setting the standard for how residents and businesses meaningfully engage and participate in their community. SHIFT developed the Good Neighbor Program to offer rent discounts up to $100/month for J-centrel residents who volunteer for four hours of service with our partner organizations or who are an employee of a Good Neighbor Program partner. The program is designed for existing neighbors and J-centrel residents to connect, work together, and support the community. SHIFT listened to current residents and business owners asking for J-centrel residents to support the existing initiatives and goals of the community, partnering with neighborhood organizations who focus on community building, economic development, and resident health and safety. Since the inception of the Good Neighbor Program, almost one-quarter of J-centrel residents have signed up, adding about 10 hours of community volunteer hours per month.

J-centrel integrates energy and water efficiency and boasts thermal insulated windows throughout the entire building to realize cost savings and positive environmental effects. The energy and water efficiency investments are expected to reduce J-centrel’s total carbon footprint by 2,700 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.​

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Developer: SHIFT Capital and Smith & Roller