Carl Mackley Houses, Residential complex in Juniata, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Carl Mackley Houses is a residential complex in Philadelphia that spans an entire city block. The development consists of five buildings, including four three-story residential structures and one service building, housing 284 apartments with one to three bedrooms, underground parking facilities, and a central laundry area.
The complex was built between 1933 and 1934 as the Public Works Administration's first supported housing project. This development emerged during a period when social reform movements sought to create new models for affordable housing.
The complex is named after Carl Mackley, a hosiery worker who died during a labor strike in 1930. The housing development was created as a memorial to this worker and represents the broader struggle of laborers for better living conditions.
The complex is located in an established residential neighborhood with good access by public transportation. It is best explored on foot from the outside to appreciate the architectural design and block layout.
Architects Oscar Stonorov and Alfred Kastner designed the complex in the International Style, with William Pope Barney serving as the official architect of record. This unusual arrangement allowed modernist designers to realize their vision for social housing.
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