Chocolate Works  Apartments

We were hired by Reinhold Residential to modernize the individual units and to design a model unit that would appeal to the younger crowd that was already flocking to the neighborhood. For the individual units, we focused on upgrading the kitchens and bathrooms using a neutral color palette. The bathrooms received dark cabinetry and tiled floors, using gray grout rather than white, helping the tub surround to maintain a new look for a longer period of time. 

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The kitchens received white quartz countertops, mid-tone wood cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances. Fixtures and finishes were selected to reflect a stylish, modern feel while remaining easy to clean and maintain. Luxury vinyl plank flooring was installed in all of the apartment's common areas because of its durability and easy maintenance. All bedrooms and stairs were carpeted with solution-dyed nylon carpet because of its stain-releasing properties. 

In addition to being young and trendy, Olde City Philadelphia is also home to a lively arts scene, known for its First Friday art gallery festivals. We wanted to draw inspiration from this in designing the model unit at Chocolate Works, selecting bright, vibrant colors for the walls and furniture. The building owner also wanted to furnish the model on a low-cost budget, entirely from IKEA, in order to show prospective tenants how easy and affordable it could be to replicate the model, even providing them a list of every piece purchased in the unit. The total cost of furniture and fixtures came to approximately $7,000. 

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Photos: Laura Kicey Photography