Neighborhood

East Kensington/Fishtown

Units

9

Candy Lofts - Two-Phase Multifamily Repositioning

Full Building Repositioning with Added Units and Fire Protection

Birdnest Group acquired The Candy Lofts from Rittenhouse Real Estate Advisors (GREA) under a clearly defined two-phase redevelopment strategy designed to unlock untapped potential within a fundamentally sound but underperforming multifamily asset. While the building benefited from strong structural bones and stable occupancy, its unit mix and infrastructure limited density, rental growth, and long-term operational efficiency without targeted intervention. During Phase I, we identified immediate and measurable upside in the existing configuration. Nearly all residences were designed as one-bedroom units, despite strong market demand for larger layouts. Through strategic floor plan reconfiguration, we converted units into two- and three-bedroom apartments, increasing functionality, improving livability, and aligning the asset with evolving urban renter preferences.

Following stabilization, the financial impact of Phase I was significant. Net operating income increased by 68 percent, generating more than $40,000 in additional annual revenue and materially enhancing the property’s valuation profile. The repositioning strengthened cash flow durability while establishing a stable foundation for further capital improvements.

Phase II, completed in 2019, focused on density expansion and life-safety modernization. Birdnest Group added three new construction units and fully sprinklered the 12,000 square foot building, bringing the property into comprehensive code compliance. The result is a high-performing, structurally reinforced multifamily asset positioned for sustained income growth and long-term stability.