A Philadelphia Machine Shop Transformed into a Young Couple's Live-Work Quarters

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Kate Connelly and her father were on a celebratory run the morning of her wedding when she spotted a For Rent sign. It was tacked on the door of a brick building in Old City, Philadelphia. Kate and her partner, James Connelly, lived nearby and she ended up taking the space on the ground floor of what turned out to be a century-old machine shop. At the time, Kate was a Pilates instructor largely out of work due to the Pandemic and the rental became her first fitness studio.

When the building’s lone tenant moved out, the couple took over the second floor, too—mainly to protect Together Athletics, Kate’s burgeoning business (“we didn’t want complaints about noise,” she says). The four-story shell of a structure was in rough but original shape (scroll to the end to see it as it was). The previous occupant had set up a basic kitchen and there were existing bathrooms, so Kate and James—a former pro lacrosse player-turned-artist/illustrator—moved in. “It was outfitted just enough,” he says.

A year later, they were in the right place when their landlords, two sisters whose grandfather and father had built amd repaired motors in the building, were ready to sell and the Connellys were able to buy it directly. Having gotten to know their quarters well and liking a pared-down aesthetic, they had specific plans in mind, down to the Reform kitchen cabinets they wanted. After putting together their own deck and interviewing many designer/builders, they hired architect Kevin Kaminski and designer Alexis Pew, a talented local couple with their own firm and a willingness to collaborate. Join us for a tour of the results.

Photography by Daniel Isayeff, courtesy of Kaminski + Pew (@kaminskipew).

the four story, \2,600 square foot structure was used as a machine shop for dec 17 — Above: The four-story, 2,600-square foot structure was used as a machine shop for decades–and also a produce store, art gallery, and clothing store among other things, but the top floors had been empty for years. It’s located just a block from the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross house.

Since the couple were looking for ways to cut costs, Kaminski + Pew suggested that James oversee the initial work: the brick repointing and restoration and the roof and window replacement. “The exterior was in terrible shape,” says Kevin. “We introduced James to some of our preferred sub-contractors and answered questions as they came up. This allowed him and Kate to continue living in the space and save quite a bit.” A local fabricator replicated the existing profiles of the windows and installed new thermally efficient glass. James also oversaw the installation of a new plumbing and electrical system.

kaminski + pew rebuilt the storefront and introduced chicken wire glazing for p 18 — Above: Kaminski + Pew rebuilt the storefront and introduced chicken wire glazing for privacy. Kevin explains that Philadelphia is very stringent on window replacement in a historic district: “the style and sight lines had to match the existing windows exactly.”

Ground Floor: Entry and a Future Boutique

kate and james wanted an elegant and hard working entryway. envisioning one day 19 — Above: Kate and James wanted an elegant and hard-working entryway. Envisioning one day having kids, they asked that it be large enough to hold a stroller.

the designers were able to deliver the requested vestibule/mud room. it&#8\ 20 — Above: The designers were able to deliver the requested vestibule/mud room. It’s tiled in Terra Rosa and Burnt Sugar zellige from Zia and painted Reddened Earth from Sherwin-Williams.

A streamlined storage bench extends from the window; like all of the built-ins, it’s rift-sawn white oak custom made to Kaminski + Pew’s design by local cabinetmakers Summus Studio. Out of view, there’s even a dog bed and bike and trash can storage.

&#8\2\2\1;since it&#8\2\17;s a heavily used area, we wanted to use a ma 21 — Above:”Since it’s a heavily used area, we wanted to use a material that’s visually appealing but can also stand up to wear,” explains Alexis of the zellige.

The space down the hall—formerly home to Kate’s Pilates studio—is being reinvented: she and James plan to turn it into a shop selling favorite housewares, James’s paintings, and Together Athletics’ growing clothing line. Together Athletics, meanwhile, now has two nearby Philadelphia locations with a third on the way.

Second Floor: Art Studio and Living Area

what had been a makeshift apartment on the second floor is now james&#8\2\1 22 — Above: What had been a makeshift apartment on the second floor is now James’s fully outfitted studio. A self-taught artist, he calls himself Son of Grinch—he was known as Baby Grinch during his lacrosse days—and specializes in what he calls “modern hieroglyphics.” He takes commissions for murals and brand designs and logos while also producing his own work.

James and Kate decamped during the six months of construction but stopped in daily to oversee the work and troubleshoot. They moved back in this spring and report that Kieran, their general contractor from MCL Carpentry and Construction, has become one of their dearest friends.

the walls throughout the upstairs floors are painted white duck from sherwin wi 23 — Above: The walls throughout the upstairs floors are painted White Duck from Sherwin-Williams. The studio’s Hyllis galvanized steel shelving is from Ikea.

a flight dining table and field stools from sundays are used for meetings with 24 — Above: A Flight Dining Table and Field Stools from Sundays are used for meetings with clients. The slatted wood bowling alley chair came from Stickball, the vintage store a few doors away. The new flooring is white oak, sourced by the contractor from his supplier.

Note the door: Kaminski + Pew introduced new doors with reeded glass throughout the interior to allow light to travel.

james says he had long dreamed of having a proper place to clean his brushes. t 25 — Above: James says he had long dreamed of having a proper place to clean his brushes. The Stainless Steel Work Table with Sink and Faucet is from the Webstaurant Store—”it was the most affordable thing in the house,” says Kate. Their Koala Sofa Bed enables the space to double as their living area and guest quarters.

Third Floor: Dining Area and Kitchen

&#8\2\20;we both don&#8\2\17;t like clutter,&#8\2\2\1; says james b 26 — Above: “We both don’t like clutter,” says James by way of explaining their custom shelves used to display a changing array of books and art (adds Kate, “since we don’t have a mantel, we plan to hang our Christmas stockings here”). Summus Studio stained the shelves to match the Sundays oak Plane Dining Table and Frame Bench.

kevin situated the kitchen in the front of the building—&#8\2\2\1;he repe 27 — Above: Kevin situated the kitchen in the front of the building—”he repeatedly created space where there wasn’t,” says James. The couple got their desired Reform Basis cabinets and island. They’re finished in Mushroom linoleum and topped with Caesarstone in Rugged Concrete Quartz (“we like the look of concrete but Alexis and Kevin said we’d hate the upkeep and suggested this as an alternative,” says Kate).

The Oko Mirror, a reflective art piece by Oskar Zieta, helps “soften the straight lines,” says Alexis. “We also like to put mirrors above sinks, so you see the space behind you.” The wall ovens are by Wolf. The steel range hood was custom built by Summus Studio.

kate, 34, and james, 35, are both philly natives and met in one of her pilates 28 — Above: Kate, 34, and James, 35, are both Philly natives and met in one of her Pilates classes. Their espresso machine is a La Marzocco.

heath tumeric tiles and a concretti newport basin with a newport brass east lin 29 — Above: Heath Tumeric tiles and a Concretti Newport basin with a Newport Brass East Linear Wall Mount Lavatory Faucet in the powder room.

Fourth Floor: Bedrooms and Bath

the hall outside the two upstairs bedrooms doubles as a dressing area. the cust 30 — Above: The hall outside the two upstairs bedrooms doubles as a dressing area. The custom white oak closets give the couple plenty of storage and more closets out of the picture contain their washer/dryer. Alexis notes that the custom wooden pulls were “inspired by a set Le Corbusier designed for the Unité d’Habitation.”

“Row buildings in Philadelphia are notoriously dark in the middle,” says Kevin of the new skylights. “We added one at the top of the stair to pull light down, one in the hall closet, and one in the primary bathroom—a bathroom without a window is very depressing.”

a large pulley hung on the top floor in place of the couple&#8\2\17;s bed. 31 — Above: A large pulley hung on the top floor in place of the couple’s bed. The exposed beams are original—their contractor sandblasted and restained them. The Thin Metal-Frame Oversized Floor Mirror is from Rejuvenation.

above: inspired by a hotel sink vanity, kate requested a place to sit and get r 32 — Above: Inspired by a hotel sink vanity, Kate requested a place to sit and get ready in the morning. Kaminski + Pew came up with this custom design and Kate found the wavy drawer pulls on Etsy, The shades of gray tiles are White Pumice from Heath.

Before and In Progress

&#8\2\20;decades of deferred maintenance, water damage, and general environ 33 — Above: “Decades of deferred maintenance, water damage, and general environmental degradation left the brick in rough shape,” says Kevin. “The bulk of the work was just repointing (with gentle cleaning), but a few small sections required replacement or removal and reinstallation of the brick. The mason was also able to source historic brick from the same era to patch where needed.” The sign in the window is from when Together Athletics pilates occupied the ground floor.

the couple&#8\2\17;s rudimentary living setup was inherited from the prior 34 — Above: The couple’s rudimentary living setup was inherited from the prior tenant. James looked into preserving the wood floor and tin ceiling but says they were too far gone: “there were all holes and splinters.”

The empty spaces, a basement included, provided the couple with valuable storage. During construction, they were able to receive and hold goods and materials shipments, a rarity James points out in such an urban setting.

this is what james&#8\2\17;s previous art studio, on the third floor, looke 35 — Above: This is what James’s previous art studio, on the third floor, looked like.

the start of demolition. 36 — Above: The start of demolition.

the top floor in progress with skylight frames. &#8\2\20;when we replaced t 37 — Above: The top floor in progress with skylight frames. “When we replaced the roof, we added exterior insulation which allowed us to expose the original beams,” says Kevin. That’s the old pulley in the corner (yes, they kept it).

More industrial transformations:

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A Machine Shop Makeover: A Young Couple’s New Live/Work Quarters in Old City, Philadelphia

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A Machine Shop Makeover: A Young Couple’s New Live/Work Quarters in Old City, Philadelphia