MM Partners Commenced Construction on Arch Street

The Philadelphia developer began converting the former Jewish Community Services Building into 116 apartment units.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Construction

Historic brick building exterior draped in green construction netting and steel scaffolding in an urban setting. — MM Partners has launched a $26 million project to convert the former Jewish Community Services Building in Philadelphia into 116 residential apartments. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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MM Partners officially began the residential conversion of 2100 Arch Street in Philadelphia in July 2026. The $26 million project transforms the 121,500-square-foot structure into 116 modern apartment units.

Why it matters

The project addresses the limited supply of new housing in the area while utilizing the building's existing floor plan, which avoids the need for complex light well installations. The adaptive reuse strategy leverages both federal and state tax credits to restore the historic property.

The development includes 36 studios, 64 one-bedrooms, and 16 two-bedroom units within the 121,500-square-foot footprint. Total project costs reached $26 million, supported by $6.6 million in federal and state tax credits.

The players

MM Partners

This Philadelphia-based real estate development firm specializes in adaptive reuse and residential conversion projects.

Axis Construction Management

This company provides professional construction services and is collaborating on the residential conversion project.

The details

MM Partners is collaborating with Axis Construction Management to repurpose the former Jewish Community Services Building. The layout consists of an original 1913 eastern section and a 1982 western addition, providing a versatile footprint for the new residential units.

The building's eastern section was constructed in 1913.
The western section was added to the property in 1982.
MM Partners purchased the site for $12 million in March 2023.
Conversion construction officially began in July 2026.
Project completion is expected in late 2027 or early 2028.

Market Landscape

This conversion aligns with a broader industry trend of transforming aging office properties into high-demand residential assets. By repurposing the existing structure, the developer effectively competes against ground-up projects while addressing Philadelphia's localized housing inventory gaps.

The project will eventually add 116 residential units to the local market, potentially easing supply constraints for renters in the area. Future tenants will occupy a building that blends early 20th-century architecture with modern apartment amenities.

The takeaway

Adaptive reuse projects like this offer a viable path to increase housing density without the carbon footprint of full demolition and new construction. Investors and developers often use historic tax credits to offset the high costs associated with modernizing older urban commercial spaces.