Scout is an urban design and development practice interested in reimagining how once neglected places can be transformed.
OUR STORY
Scout began in early 2011 to bring an idea for a temporary cinema that could connect with new and local audiences in Hackney Wick. The resulting project, Films on Fridges, was called “Britain’s coolest new pop-up cinema” by The Guardian. Other site-specific commissions followed for projects that balanced community engagement and creative activation of otherwise overlooked spaces. Many of these were short-term experiments that tested long-term aspirations for how a space could develop and evolve. Examples of this included, Watch This Wall commissioned by Brent Council and Network Housing Group and the study of Millicent Fawcett Court.
Through our work exploring temporary ideas, we started to question the role of the public sector and private developer in the transformation of our cities. After a robust strategy for the reuse of a public asset got put on hold by our client, a community member asked us why (scout) wouldn’t buy a building and apply the learnings and partnerships that we have formed in the community in the process. That got us thinking - but we didn’t imagine we would ever purchase a building.
In 2014 we stumbled upon a list of historic schools for sale and submitted a bid where the infrastructure could be thoughtfully reused to support a creative community. In this way we became accidental developers of Bok, and this old school has become our entire life over the last 6 years.
We hope to take on future projects of long-term and short-term reuse that are thoughtful, community-driven and unexpected in our role as developers, designers, advisors and collaborators.
MEET OUR TEAM
Lindsey Scannapieco
Managing Partner
Lindsey co-founded Scout (uk) in 2011. After over six years of living in London, Lindsey moved back to her native Philadelphia and established scout-us. Lindsey holds a B.S. in Real Estate Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California and a Master's in City Design & Social Science from the London School of Economics. She is actively engaged in the wider development of the city as a board member of Fleisher Arts Memorial and as the Secretary for the Friends of FDR Park.
Liz Maillie
Director of Leasing & Marketing
Liz joined the Scout team in early 2015 and, in her role, has the pleasure of working closely with some of Philadelphia's best and brightest to find spaces to call their work home. Previously as Next City's programming and development manager, Liz created and implemented the organization's Philadelphia-based event series and lectures and conferences in cities across the country. Liz is also co-founder and a board member of the nonprofit, Friends of the Rail Park.
_edited.jpg)
Jackie Rush
Director of Operations & Building Community
Jackie joined the Bok Bar team in the summer of 2016 and transitioned into a full time role with Bok Events in October 2017. She has worked in the hospitality industry since 2005, with experience in high volume restaurants, venues and pop-ups across the country. Jackie's idea of a great event includes an open bar, the electric slide, and tiny versions of full sized foods. She has two geriatric cats, one impish human, and a well documented history of being unable to turn down a dare.
Everett Abitbol
Director of Hospitality & Development
Everett began as a prospective tenant at Bok, and joined the Scout team in 2020 to work on development, hospitality and operations at Bok. He attended the University of Rhode Island (where he met his wife Valerie) and began his career in the transportation industry, co-founding a fleet with operations in 5 cities. In 2018, Everett founded the Deacon Hospitality Group, which owns and operates hotels; The Deacon in Graduate Hospital, Dye House in Providence, RI, and a forthcoming project with YOWIE. He also serves on the board of The Steel Yard, an arts organization. Outside of BOK, Everett is a proud father of two, as well as a constant scavenger for great design.
Hannah Baker
Operations and Leasing Manager
Hannah has been a part of the Philadelphia community and arts scene for over 14 years. She joined Scout in the spring of 2019 as the Administrative Coordinator. Previously, she managed a residential leasing office for nearly a decade. She attended University of the Arts and received her BA in Crafts with a focus in Metalsmithing. With a passion for art, fine details and exploration, Hannah can often be found hard at work in her jewelry studio, enjoying the rich culture of Philadelphia or traveling to discover new places.
Wayne Woodward
Operations and Leasing Coordinator
Wayne joined the Scout team in 2021 after working as a project manager in advertising. After moving to the US from Mackay, Queensland, Australia, Wayne earned his BFA in graphic design and multimedia from City College in NYC. When he’s not managing the operations of all things Bok, you can find him, negroni in hand, enjoying a weekend at his home in the NJ woods - gardening and spending time with his two French bulldogs.
Danielle DeMuro
Book Keeper & Accounting
Danielle joined the Scout team in 2018.
Kelley Garrard
Creative Marketing Director
Kelley has over 13 years of experience in graphic design, marketing, and brand identity. Born and raised in Portland, Maine, she studied advertising and graphic design at the New England School of Art & Design in Boston. Kelley has previously worked as a designer at Nylon Magazine and Entertainment Weekly, and as a creative director at Urban Outfitters. She has executed design projects for several clients including ASOS, Baggu, Cocokind, Whitney Port, Yowie, Zando, and the Deacon Hospitality Group. Outside of design, Kelley's hobbies include craft projects, dancing to disco, and road trips to any place weird or historic.
Brogan Austin
Events Manager
Brogan joined the Scout team in 2022, bringing with her a passion for community driven programming and events. Her enthusiasm stems from her experiences in the nonprofit and service industries, along with her education in Community Development and Studio Art from the University of Vermont. She grew up with goats and chickens in Western Massachusetts, however has been thrilled to call Philly home for the past 10 years. When she’s not running around at events she can be found slurping down a bowl at Pho 75, or painting at home with her 2 cats.
AWARDS
Scout was awarded the 2021 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia Vision Award for Transformative Development of Bok, for excellence in adaptive reuse, mix of uses and catalytic economic development
Scout was awarded a 2020 Charter Award from the Congress of the New Urbanism for our work on Bok. The award recognizes exemplary work by those who design and build places people love.
Scout was the recipient of the The 2016 Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance Award for the project's approach to adaptive re-use of a historic building.