A Midcentury Modern Makeover in King of Prussia

Like its counterparts in the city, 251 DeKalb had gotten long in the tooth, so its owners gave it a total refresh.

By Sandy Smith· 7/21/2017, 12:06 p.m.

A model apartment living room at 251 DeKalb. | Photos: Sandy Smith

Followers of this channel should be aware that midcentury modernism is now history. That is, it’s become the subject of preservationist interest and action to preserve and update its iconic buildings.

This area saw three large midcentury modern apartment complexes rise over a span of about 15 years: Presidential City in the early 1950s, Park Towne Place in the late 1950s, and the 251 DeKalb Pike complex in King of Prussia in the early to mid-1960s.

Having documented the transformation of the first two, I was only too happy to accept the invitation from 251 DeKalb’s new owners, Candlebrook Properties, to take a look at what they’ve done with the third.

What they’ve done with the $50 million they spent on this makeover is quite impressive. Besides bringing the complex into the 21st century with a total replacement of all the fixtures and systems in the complex’s five towers, they’ve given them a bunch of new amenities designed to support an active live/work/play lifestyle and a touch of eco-friendliness to boot. Each building (the five towers are arranged into three buildings; the East and West buildings consist of two towers with a shared entrance lobby) has distinctive common spaces that set it apart from the others, but all of the facilities are available to all complex residents. Many of these amenities match or beat anything you’d find at apartments in the city — save perhaps for its two midcentury modern siblings.

The aesthetic Varenhorst Architects developed for the renewed buildings respects their modernist heritage while taking advantage of evolving technology and design and throwing in just a whiff of Art Deco sensibility. Each building has distinctive common spaces that set it apart from the others, but all of the facilities are available to all complex residents. Many of these amenities match or beat anything you’d find at apartments in the city — save perhaps for its two midcentury modern siblings.

Candlebrook CEO Neil Rubler led me on a tour of the revitalized complex. I’ll let the pictures tell the story from here. As you view them, you may spot elements this makeover has in common with those at the two in-city complexes.

251 DeKalb, On Top of King of Prussia

The West building is the first one the visitor encounters when entering the complex. Like the other two, it was given a two-tone exterior that. along with new windows, give it an element of geometric dynamism.

The main lobby of the West building features a fully equipped La Colombe coffee bar...

...along with the requisite work/hangout space...

...that's completely wired for power and data.

Didn't bring your own computer? You can use one of the complex's computers in this computer lab. (Through the window at left is a translucent sculpture that glows at night and doubles as a set of benches.)

Just to the south of the West building lie the main outdoor amenities in the complex.

The complex's pool received a full renovation that added a new deck, cabanas and new lighting.

A view of the pool, deck and cabanas.

Thirty-five percent of Philadelphians say great facility amenities matter when looking for an apartment. Good news for local apartment complex owners: even more - 38 percent - say they're willing to pay extra to get them.

There are outdoor amenities that set 251 DeKalb apart from its siblings, though, like these bocce courts.

Next to the bocce courts are outdoor grills for use by residents.

Residents with a green thumb can take advantage of another unique outdoor amenity here: a set of community garden plots.

Recreation takes center stage in the South building lobby. As with the other two buildings, artwork is an integral part of the redesign: the "rec room" doubles as the complex's "art gallery," which will feature rotating exhibits of work by local artists on its walls.

The South building's "rec room" lobby includes a foosball table...

...a billiard table...

...and a library.

The facade of the South building. The South and West buildings date to approximately 1967-68.

The East building is several years older, dating to about 1961. Its exterior is noticeably different, but it too received a black-and-white color palette.