Converting office buildings to residential uses is a hot topic, here and across the country, given the soft office sector due to remote and hybrid work. Alterra Property Group, a prominent Philadelphia real estate development and management company, selected 1701 Market Street in the heart of Center City as a prime candidate for such a conversion. The design vision by NORR and Eileen Tognini Design is to transform the 18-story high-rise building into a modern Class A residential mixed-use complex focusing on wellness.

Built in 1957, the exterior design preserves portions of the original Indiana limestone. To extend the tripartite facade and vertical expression to the horizontal tower, limestone strips were cut at the floor line allowing the incorporation of taller windows. A channel shape made of metal panels will lead up the façade to the sky frame which will capture unique views of the city.

The project is scheduled to open in June 2025 and DAG looks forward to welcoming the development, design, engineering, and construction team to discuss the details of the project, share some of the lessons learned during design and construction, and reflect on the unique challenges inherent in this type of office to residential conversion.

This event will be held at the Center for DesignPhiladelphia, 1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19107. 

Registration is not required for in-person events, however it is helpful for our planning. Light refreshments will be served.


Presenters 

Mark Cartella
Mark oversees the execution phase of Alterra’s real estate development and capital improvement projects including all facets of the project delivery process with a focus on design and construction.

 Prior to joining Alterra, Mark worked several years in the Philadelphia Business Unit of Turner Construction Company, the largest construction management company in the world by volume, gaining unparalleled construction management expertise. After Turner, Mark worked 7 years at one of Philadelphia’s preeminent professional project management/real estate services company, Aegis Property Group.

Over the course of his career, Mark has successfully managed the design and construction of various building product types ranging from highly sophisticated healthcare facilities, historic preservation/adaptive reuse buildings, higher ed/K-12 institutions, office space, and multi-family/mixed used developments with an aggregate volume valued in the billions .

Mark is a graduate of Drexel University and holds a BS in Architectural Engineering, Mechanical Concentration, as well as a dual minor in Mechanical Engineering and Construction Management. He also holds a LEED AP designation under the USGBC.

Adam Jeckel
As a Principal in the residential sector at NORR, Adam leads project teams across the spectrum of project types; from urban high-rise and low & mid-rise podium, to integrated development and transit-oriented developments, to attainable housing and seniors living. With two decades of architectural experience, Adam has developed a comprehensive understanding of design and the built environment.

His focus is mixed-use residential buildings including ground up, office to residential conversions, and renovations and adaptive reuse of historic structures for residential uses. Adam approaches each project with a keen eye for detail focusing on client service, design excellence and collaboration to build strong relationships and achieve quality project delivery.

Brett Pastorius
Brett has a broad range of experience in new construction, major renovations, and interior fit-outs in markets ranging from multi-family and hospitality to retail, commercial, banking, and education.

His can-do attitude and attention to each project’s unique challenges led him to his current role overseeing Clemens' Commercial Projects sector. Known for his strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, he is instrumental in planning the company's most complex jobs. Brett's leadership ensures that every project meets the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction.

Eileen Tognini
Long before starting her eponymous interior design studio, Eileen had fostered a love for art in its many forms. This proud lifelong Philadelphian was raised by two creatives: her father was an artist, and her mother a clothing designer, so naturally, creativity was in her DNA. Pivoting from sales & marketing management at IBM, she journeyed into a career in curation and design that began with a decade-long project curating a Sculpture Garden at her 175-year-old farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania, while also curating large-scale exhibitions throughout Philadelphia.

Eileen defines herself as a Curator, Collaborator, & Innovator, with a focus on an art-centric, bespoke approach to interior design projects, working closely with local artists & artisans that ground design concepts in reality. In addition to steering the ship of her interior design studio, Eileen has served for many years on the Board of Collab, the group supporting the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Contemporary and Modern Design Collection, as well as former Board Chair and current Board Co-Chair, in addition to serving on the Art Advisory Board of the Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA). She is a past recipient of the Philadelphia Arts & Business Council’s Business Volunteer for the Arts award. Above all, Eileen is a proud Philadelphian through and through.

Jim Gardler
Jim is a licensed Professional Engineer with more than 20 years of project management and mechanical engineering experience. He collaborates closely with clients, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for complex engineering challenges across diverse market sectors, including real estate, mission critical, corporate interiors, higher education, and life sciences.  Jim is highly skilled in providing tenant support services for a variety of clients, from improvement projects to major construction builds.

Jim leads a growing team of accomplished engineers and project managers, demonstrating a commitment to mentoring the next generation and actively engaging with professional organizations to further the MEP/FP profession.