ABOUT US
La Marceline is the result of over two decades of thoughtful planning, patient timing, and a deep commitment to building something meaningful for the East Kensington community.
A Letter from :
I purchased these lots more than 20 years ago after converting the adjacent building into apartments. I held onto them because I wanted to ensure that whatever was built next door would offer lasting quality and value. In the meantime, my tenants used the Frankford Avenue side as their informal side yard, a quiet placeholder for what would eventually take shape.
When the pandemic hit, it became clear it was finally time to bring my long-held vision for the site to life. I began searching for a co-developer who shared the belief that buildings should be more than just profitable, they should be sustainable and rooted in service to the neighborhood. To me, sustainability means more than energy efficiency or durable materials. It’s about building with integrity, creating structures that will stand for decades, support the health of both people and planet, and respect the community they’re part of. A truly sustainable project isn’t value-engineered into soullessness, and it doesn’t disrupt the very neighborhood it’s meant to serve.
That’s where Jeff Tubbs and JDT International came in. From our first meeting, Jeff’s deep commitment to Philadelphia, especially to East Kensington, was undeniable. His approach to development is guided not just by profitability, but by purpose, equity, and longevity. As we built our team, we selected Bright Common as our architecture firm for their unwavering commitment to sustainability. We knew that if it was embedded in every layer of design, it would be harder to remove later. Baer Enterprises joined the team during the final design phase, bringing invaluable insight and perspective as we refined key decisions. With JDT’s in-house construction company, L-Town Construction, leading the build, we were able to maintain strong cohesion between design and execution. That continuity helped ensure the level of quality and care the project deserved at every step.
La Marceline pushed us all, in the best way. It challenged us to think more deeply about design, sustainability, and what it means to truly contribute to a neighborhood. As a team, we come from different backgrounds and stages of life, which helped shape a more inclusive vision for the people who will one day call this building home. It also helped us stay grounded as we navigated the uncertainty of a global pandemic, rising inflation, and our ongoing economic shifts.
This project is a labor of love, rooted in the belief that good design, responsible development, and care for the community can, and should, coexist.
