Between the French Creek and Schuylkill River in Phoenixville, Pa., 349 newly built apartment units stand on the site of the town’s historic steel mill, where, when the project team members began excavation, they encountered a number of surprises, including a water canal system below the site that had to be reconfigured before building could begin. The canal waterways had been used during the mill’s operation to regulate water flow off the creek. Situated between two waterways, the site was also in a floodplain, requiring the residences to be elevated to make room for an underground garage.
The mill’s original foundation also remained intact, extending as deep as 20 feet into the ground. To reduce waste and materials costs, the team crushed the foundation on-site and reused the concrete for structural fill.
The site still included a footbridge once used by millworkers to access the production plant from their offices. The team rehabilitated the bridge, which now provides access to restaurants, boutiques, and microbreweries in downtown Phoenixville.
In a tribute to the site’s past, the clubhouse at the center of Riverworks was designed to stand apart from the modern residences, with brick-and-stone masonry, exposed steel framework and detailing, clerestory windows, wood plank details, and other design elements reminiscent of the steel mill.
The clubhouse features a lounge, game room, 24-hour fitness center, rock climbing wall, and a steel mill–inspired mural created by local artists. The development also offers a pool and sundeck with a courtyard, grills, fire pits, outdoor TV lounge, dog spa, and access to the Schuylkill River trail, which extends all the way to Philadelphia.
.
