Rafael Porrata-Doria Place

2739‐47 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133

HACE has been in the forefront of CDC’s involvement in commercial development. Since 1997 HACE has engaged in commercial corridor revitalization initially around 5th Street and Lehigh Avenue, “El Centro de Oro” commercial corridor – which has the largest concentration of Latino owned businesses in the Philadelphia area. Today HACE owns and manages over 35,000 square feet of commercial space on the corridor to attract small businesses, diversify the business mix and creates job and economic opportunity in the Fairhill neighborhood.

HACE is developing Rafael Porrata-Doria Place, a new construction Mix‐Use building offering 30 efficiency affordable units and approximately 2,100 square feet of commercial space to be located at 2739‐47 N. 5th Street in North Philadelphia. With a prominent location on North 5th Street, HACE will redevelop a vacant site offering affordable rental housing to persons age 55+ and to persons with intellectual disabilities. The ground floor will offer retail space to increase business activity in the area and create new jobs. This development is named in honor of one of HACE’s founders, Rafael Porrata-Doria, Esq., Professor of Law at Temple University.

Rafael Porrata-Doria has taught at Temple Univeristy School of Law since 1983; he was a visiting professor at the University of Puerto Rico, Rutgers-Camden Law School, LUISS Guido Carli University (Rome) and at the Lauder Institute of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Before teaching, Professor Porrata-Doria practiced law in Philadelphia and Miami, Florida. He is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian. He has written on securities, and international law; consulted for World Bank, American Law Insititute and Senate of Pennsylvania. Professor Porrata-Doria has selflessly contributed over 35 years to HACE since its founding.

The design of this new midrise apartment building responds to the neighborhood context while meeting needs for accessibility, visibility, and contemporary living. The new building will be 4 stories in height, with materials and colors which correspond to those commonly found in the neighborhood. Window sizes will be proportional to the building, suiting the neighborhood scale. Upper story bays and the entry canopy will enliven the primary elevations while remaining in keeping with the local character. The building will have brick and stucco exterior, with projecting bays at upper stories articulating the facade such that the horizontal scale of the building approaches local townhouses.

HACE focuses on redeveloping larger properties that generate impact that is measurable and benefits both residents and businesses in the corridor. HACE’s revitalization strategy concentrates on larger buildings that may otherwise not get absorbed in the private market, and given their size and location generate greater economic and visual impact for El Centro de Oro and improves the quality of life for the residents that live on and in close proximity to the corridor. This development is an essential component of HACE’s 2025 Neighborhood Plan.

Rafael Porrata-Doria Place is funded by the Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Philadelphia Land Bank, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), the National Equity Fund, Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), Citizens Bank, Arc Foundation, PA Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED), Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).