When you begin an apartment search, it is easy to focus on rent, location, amenities, and floor plans. The building itself can shape your day-to-day experience just as much.
A newly built apartment community may offer a consistent look, newer systems, and layouts that feel familiar from one apartment to the next, but an apartment in a renovated property often brings something different: exposed brick, original wood beams, oversized windows, tall ceilings, and floor plans that reflect the building’s past.
Both options have their advantages. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what feels most like home to you.
What Makes a Historic Apartment Feel Different?
Historic apartments are often found in restored factories, warehouses, townhouses, and commercial buildings that have been carefully converted into residences. Rather than removing every original feature, a careful renovation keeps the details that make the building memorable. Depending on the property, that may include:
- Exposed brick walls
- Original wood beams
- Oversized industrial windows
- High or vaulted ceilings
- Plank ceilings
- Restored masonry
- Split-level or loft-style floor plans
- Original arches, columns, or exterior details
These features are difficult to recreate in a new building. They also mean that two apartments in the same community may not look exactly alike.
For renters searching for historic apartments in Philadelphia, West Chester, and Pittsburgh, that individuality is often part of the appeal. The apartment feels connected to the neighborhood and to the building’s original story.
Historic Doesn’t Mean Outdated
Because these buildings were originally designed for different purposes, individual apartments may feature bi-level living spaces, lofted sleeping areas, deep windowsills, nonstandard room dimensions, or other distinctive layouts that give each home more character than a typical repeatable floor plan.
Thoughtfully restored properties can pair original materials and architecture with modern conveniences such as updated kitchens and bathrooms, individual climate control, in-home laundry, package services, and fitness centers. Industrial-style features like brick, timber, metal, concrete, and large factory windows also provide visual interest and a flexible backdrop for a range of decorating styles.
This combination of architectural character, individuality, and modern comfort can make these homes especially appealing.
Reinhold Residential Communities with Historic Character
Reinhold Residential has transformed former factories, commercial properties, warehouses, and townhouses into apartment communities while preserving the architectural details that give each property its identity.
Its portfolio includes historic apartments in Philadelphia as well as converted properties in West Chester and Pittsburgh.
The Chocolate Works in Old City
Located at 231 N. 3rd Street, The Chocolate Works was once home to the Wilbur Chocolate Company. Today, its five buildings retain industrial details connected to the property’s original use. Depending on the apartment, residents may find exposed brick, original timber, high ceilings, and large factory-style windows.
This apartment community also includes in-home washers and dryers, an on-site fitness center, a resident library with workstations, a lounge, outdoor patios and balconies in some homes, and on-site parking.
For renters who want industrial-style apartments surrounded by Old City architecture, restaurants, galleries, and historic sites, The Chocolate Works offers a home that feels closely connected to its neighborhood.
Waterfront II in Old City
Waterfront II, located at 106 S. Front Street, preserves an original brick facade with sandstone and granite trim. Inside, the building includes wood beams, plank ceilings, oversized windows, and spacious floor plans. Select apartments may also feature wood flooring or working fireplaces. Some have amazing river views.
Studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are available, along with in-home washers and dryers and individual climate control. The result is a historic Old City setting that still supports the needs of everyday apartment living.
Trinity Row in Center City
Trinity Row at 2027-31 Arch Street is made up of restored 19th-century brick and brownstone townhouses. Rather than feeling like one large apartment building, the community keeps the scale and character associated with Philadelphia row homes.
Original brick, exposed timber, wood beams, high ceilings, and split-level loft designs give the apartments a distinctive feel. Renters can choose from one- and two-bedroom bi-level apartments as well as single-level one-bedroom layouts.
In-home laundry, updated kitchens, individual climate control, storage options, and private patios in select apartments add practical convenience.
Sharples Works in West Chester
Sharples Works at 300 E. Evans Street brings converted industrial architecture to downtown West Chester. Many of its studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments include exposed brick, high ceilings, and original wood beams. Some homes also feature lofted layouts that make each apartment feel a little different.
The community includes a landscaped courtyard, a beer garden with barbecues, a fitness center, a dog park, a lobby coffee bar, a package room, and complimentary on-site parking.
Touring the available apartment is especially helpful here, since the original architecture can create floor plans with their own personality.
Shadyside Commons in Pittsburgh
Shadyside Commons at 401 Amberson Avenue was built in 1903 and once housed a family-owned hardware business. The converted building retains many of its original details, including exposed brick, timber ceilings, arches, cornices, oversized industrial windows, and ceilings that reach up to 18 feet.
Its one- and two-bedroom apartments pair this historic character with in-home washers and dryers, updated kitchens, adjustable storage, and access to a landscaped courtyard.
Choose the Apartment Style That Feels Right to You
A newly built apartment may be the right fit if you value uniform floor plans and a more predictable apartment style.
A renovated historic property may appeal to you if you enjoy original materials, uncommon layouts, tall windows, and the feeling of living in a building with a story.
The best way to compare the two is to tour the actual apartments you are considering. Notice how the floor plan works, how much natural light comes in, which architectural details stand out, and which amenities support your daily routine.
Reinhold Residential offers historic and converted apartment communities in Old City, Center City, West Chester, and Pittsburgh.
Contact our team to schedule a tour to see how restored architecture and modern apartment features can come together in your next home.