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Naval Home in better days
Naval Home after the fire
Read recent Hallwatch stories on the Naval Home including one on Pennsylvania's partnership with Toll Brothers.
In 1988 suburban residential construction giant Toll Bros. bought the Naval Home from the federal government for a song: $1,200,000. View details of the sale. In exchange for twenty-five acres of prime real estate, the company agreed to preserve and protect Biddle Hall and other historic buildings on the site.
But after 15 years of ownership by Toll Bros., these historic buildings are covered with graffiti, scarred by unchecked vandalism, and only a step away from becoming charred ruins. In December the City cited the company for practicing "demolition by neglect." On February 3, an arsonist set fire to Biddle Hall, the Greek Revival centerpiece of this magnificent National Landmark property. The arson followed Toll Bros.' decision to reduce security at the Home from 24 to 8 hours per day and its failure to repair significant gaps in the fencing along the back of the site.
Despite heavy damage to the roof, city officials believe the Home is structurally sound and can be restored. They have asked the Courts to force Toll Bros. to take proper care of its property, but the City can't do this alone. We must, in the words of L&I Deputy Commissioner Robert Sovibile, "be annoying."
Please help neighbors and lovers of historic buildings by writing city, state, and federal officials. Fifteen years of neglect is long enough! Toll Brothers needs to develop the site now--or else sell it to someone who will. Like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the Naval Home is a part of American history, but unless officials act quickly this National Historic Landmark will be lost forever. Tell elected officials to hold Toll Bros. to its word and take care of a property whose history belongs to all of us.
Thank you,
Ann Hoskins-Brown
Resident of Southwest Center City
