FAQ

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General
  • chevron_rightHow many units are in The Philadelphian?
    There are currently 753 residential units.  This is fewer than the original 776 residential units because a few owners combined two units and another handful of units have been converted to offices.
  • chevron_rightHow many people live in The Philadelphian?
    Over 1,200 people are estimated to live here.
  • chevron_rightWhen was The Philadelphian built?
    The Philadelphian opened its doors in 1963. Designed by noted architect Samuel Oshiver, it remains a classic of modern architecture. 
  • chevron_rightHow large is the staff of The Philadelphian?
    The Philadelphian Owners Association (the POA) employs approximately 60 people on its full-time staff, plus additional people on a contract basis. Staff positions range from engineers, maintenance personnel, and office staff behind the scenes to concierges and parking attendants on the front lines. The people who fill these roles combine an enormous range of skills and experiences with readiness to help residents solve problems and complete tasks. Some of them have worked at The Philadelphian for more than two decades. The staff report to the General Manager, who in turn reports to the Board of the POA. 
Governance
  • chevron_rightWho makes decisions about the building?
    The Philadelphian Owners Association (POA), a nonprofit corporation in which all owners automatically become members, governs The Philadelphian. Owners invest the power to make policy and financial decisions in a seven-member Board, all of whose members are themselves owners. The Board members hold two-year terms, which are staggered so that some terms end each year. POA members vote on candidates for Board positions annually.
  • chevron_rightDo owners participate in the decision-making process?
    Please know that our board is accessible and The Philadelphian offers numerous avenues for all residents to write and share input with our association's board members at any time.
     
    All owners are also welcome to participate in our semi-annual open meetings with the board and other owners, where all can pose questions and engage in debate. In addition, all owners vote annually to determine who will serve on our association's board and any owner may even choose to run for the board him or herself. 
     
    All residents are also encouraged to volunteer for committees organized by the board. Such committees advise the Board on substantive issues and do much of the day-to-day work that makes The Philadelphian a vibrant community. 
  • chevron_rightWhat is included in the monthly condo fees?
    Owners pay a monthly fee that covers their contribution to the operating budget and capital reserve fund. Included in this monthly assessment, which is set by the Board annually, are electricity, gas, water, sewer, and use of amenities such as the bus service to Center City, the fitness center, and both the indoor and outdoor pools. In addition, the monthly assessment includes core cable TV and internet services (please see discussion of digital services below for further information).
  • chevron_rightHow does The Philadelphian handle capital expenses?
    The Philadelphian's condo association is vigilant about proactively identifying capital projects and funding reserves. Consequently, a sizable portion of our ongoing condo fees are assigned to the capital reserve fund. As a result, The Philadelphian has handled capital expenses without special assessments for more than a decade. For example, a capital project handled through our reserve fund was a $13 million project, spread over 5 years, for work on the balconies and other areas of the facade. While the association cannot guarantee that owners will always be able to avoid special assessments, it makes this an extremely high priority.
Policy
  • chevron_rightWhat is the smoking policy?
    The Philadelphian is a non-smoking building.  The ban on smoking applies to all areas, including shared spaces, outdoor areas on our property, balconies, and individual units. The ban applies to everyone who is in the building at any time, including residents, guests, staff, and contractors. It covers any oral device someone might use to produce smoke, including cigarettes, vaping devices, cigars, and pipes. 
  • chevron_rightWhat is the pet policy?
    Residents of The Philadelphian may keep fish and small birds. Otherwise we are a no-pet building except for Assistance Animals, which help people with disabilities live here comfortably.
     
     
  • chevron_rightWhat is the policy for owners who want to rent their units?
    Owners may rent their units for terms of at least one year. The POA provides a form for the lease, and owners must turn in a signed copy to the management office.
Renovations & Repairs
  • chevron_rightWhat are the restrictions on how I can change my unit?
    To ensure adherence to all legal and safety regulations, owners must receive approval from the management office before undertaking any work. These regulations can affect considerations as varied as placement and type of clothes dryers, the load on electrical circuits, and fire safety elements. Building rules also regulate the use of spaces visible from outside our units, such as balconies, windows, and front doors.  Other than these considerations, spelled out in greater detail in the residents' handbook (which an owner receives at the time of purchase), you can change your unit as you like. It's your castle!
  • chevron_rightWhat is the division of responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep between the owners association and individual owners?
    The Philadelphia Owners Association maintains common elements, such as the heating/cooling system in our units; all the building systems in the walls; and the common spaces, such as the lobby, hallway, and social rooms. Individual owners are responsible for everything else inside their units and the pipes under the bathroom floors. The residents' handbook, which you will receive at the time of purchase, spells out each party's responsibilities.
Services
  • chevron_rightWhen are the front desk and the front door staffed?
    The front door and front desk are staffed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  This unusual level of coverage by friendly, helpful staff contributes enormously to residents' safety and convenience and the building's smooth operation.
  • chevron_rightHow are mail and packages handled?
    Mail: Post office personnel are onsite daily to process incoming and outgoing mail. Each residence has an assigned postal box located in the mail room adjoining the lobby. In the event you will be traveling for a period of time, simply visit our main services desk in the lobby to arrange for mail to be held on your behalf.
     
    Packages: The Philadelphian processes thousands of packages for its residents each month from Amazon, FedEx and similar services. You will receive an email from Package Concierge or Building Link each time a package is delivered for you and, in addition, there is a monitor in the mail room identifying each unit for which a package is being held. Packages can be collected from the Package Lockers at any time, or the Parcel Storage area managed by the concierge staff daily from 10 am to 8 pm.  
     
    As an added benefit of residence here, our concierge staff also assist residents with dry cleaning drop off and pickup. 
  • chevron_rightHow do residents move items to and from their units?
    The loading dock at the back of the building provides a convenient place for residents to unload their cars, which can be parked there for 30 minutes. Residents can also schedule use of the loading dock for major deliveries, move-in and move-out days, and use by contractors working on unit renovation projects. A freight elevator in each wing and loaner shopping carts and trolleys help, too.  
  • chevron_rightWhat are the building's digital services?
    The monthly assessment provides each residence the following digital services:
     
    • Xfinity X1 Standard TV service offering local broadcast channels and a selection of cable channels in HD resolution
    • WiFi internet service supporting 100 Mbps to empower streaming and other typical residential requirements
    • An Xfinity router for internet access, plus two TV boxes for connecting televisions with HD access
    Enhanced services such as premium channels, DVR recording, faster internet, and conventional phone services can be added by contacting Xfinity.
     
    Free WiFi is also available in the social rooms and Fitness Center. 
  • chevron_rightIs automobile parking available?
    The Philadelphian has a limited number of indoor and outdoor parking spaces available for residents to rent. The community also offers ten EV charging stations for those who use our parking facilities. Information regarding parking availability, EV charging, and fees can be provided on request.    
  • chevron_rightIs space provided for bicycle parking?
    The building has a number of spaces on the first floor for bicycle parking. Like car parking, these spaces become available on a first-come, first-serve basis and require an annual payment.  You can also keep your bicycle in your unit, but not on your balcony.
  • chevron_rightIs added storage space available?
    A limited number of storage lockers are available within the building for residents to rent. Information regarding the size, availability and fees for storage lockers can be provided on request.    
  • chevron_rightAre laundry facilities available?
    While many residences are equipped with their own washer and dryer, some are not. All residents are invited to use the well equipped laundry facility located on the ground-level service corridor 24 hours a day. The laundry is operated by a 3rd party contractor. To use the washers and dryers, residents need to purchase and use their re-loadable cash cards via their vending machine located right in the laundry room.