St. Joseph's House for Homeless Industrious Boys

St. Joseph's House is a social service building in Nicetown-Tioga with Renaissance Revival design that blends Romanesque, Italianate, and Tudor Revival details across its facade. The structure stretches along West Allegheny Avenue and presents a mix of architectural traditions in its exterior composition.

The building was designed and constructed in 1929 by Philadelphia's architectural firm Hoffman-Henon. It earned National Register of Historic Places recognition in 1996, securing its status as a protected landmark.

This facility served homeless young men in Philadelphia by providing them with shelter and teaching them practical work skills. The place represented a community effort to give youth a path toward independence and self-sufficiency.

The building is located in the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood, nestled within a residential area alongside other older structures and street trees. It stands out visually from many surrounding properties because of its distinctive architectural style.

The building blends multiple architectural styles into one facade, making it an interesting example of the eclectic taste of the 1920s era. This unusual combination of Romanesque, Italianate, and Tudor Revival often surprises visitors who examine the details closely.