An adaptive reuse project repurposing the former classrooms of a historic school into space for makers, nonprofits, small businesses, and artists.

 

Bok Vocational High School was built in 1936 and accommodated 3,000 students from across Philadelphia studying subjects like wallpapering, cosmetology, auto mechanics, bricklaying, and more. The School District of Philadelphia closed the school in 2013 due to decreased enrollment and deferred maintenance, putting the building up for public auction. Scout took ownership of the building in 2014. Over the past six years, the building has become a hub for makers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Today, BOK is home to more than 200 businesses including musicians, glassblowers, nonprofits, photography studios, community playspace, a contemporary realist art school, an award-winning rooftop bar, and more. 

 

WEBSITE

 

Watch our video "Eight Years in the Making: The Bok Building"

 

SIZE

340,000 square feet

 

AWARDS

2023 Special Mention by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Americas​ Awards of Excellence, among the select 20 projects listed in the US.

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Longlisted for the 2022 Dezeen Awards in the Rebirth Project category, one of only two projects in the US.

 

2021 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia Vision Award for Transformative Development | for excellence in adaptive reuse, mix of uses and catalytic economic development.

 

2021 Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

 

2020 Charter Award from the Congress of the New Urbanism | for exemplary work by those who design and build places people love.

 

2016 Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance Award | for this project’s approach to adaptive reuse of a historic building.

 

PRESS

Becoming Bok: From Decommissioned School to South Philly’s Center of Creative Cool / Philadelphia Magazine

After seven years, South Philadelphia's 338,000-SF Bok building is 98% leased / Philadelphia Business Journal

Philly’s Most Creative Neighborhoods Offer Everything From Babka to Black-owned Bookstores / Travel + Leisure

South Philly’s BOK building, known for its rooftop bar, is carving out space for creatives / Philadelphia Inquirer

Leaving New York to Find the American Dream in Philadelphia / NYT