History
History in the Making
The next chapter in an iconic, storied location. Once home to a large brewery that proudly served Manayunk’s world-famous beer…
Today, three beautiful buildings (former Church, Rectory, and School) each architecturally distinct, have been immaculately restored and completely revolutionized into modern-day luxury apartments.
Discover the fully story in the video below.
Second Life to Architectural Masterpieces
The Roe gives new life to three architectural treasures from the former St. Mary’s campus of Manayunk: the Church, Rectory, and School. Once central to the neighborhood’s history, these buildings have been thoughtfully restored and reimagined as modern residences with boutique character, refined interiors, advanced sound control, new high-performance windows, garage parking, and sustainability-focused design.
The result is a rare balance of old and new. Original historic character — tall ceilings, substantial stonework, detailed craftsmanship, wide hallways, large windows, loft-style spaces, and distinctive architectural details — is preserved and paired with modern interiors, efficient systems, and everyday residential comfort.
In the former School, now home to the Heights Collection, residents experience dramatic loft-style living shaped by soaring ceilings, wide corridors, restored craftsmanship, and a sense of scale rarely found in new construction.
The former Church, now the Bell Collection, dates back to around 1849 and was built with hand-cut stone designed to last for generations. Its restored stone architecture, tall windows, and impressive ceiling heights give each residence a distinctive presence. The original church bells were salvaged, restored, and placed in the lobbies, where they now welcome residents and guests as part of the building’s next chapter.
Attached to the former Church is the former Rectory, now the Mosaic Collection, also built in the mid-1800s. Mosaic offers some of The Roe’s most character-rich residences, with bay-window architecture, distinctive layouts, select sunrooms and skylights, and an intimate estate-like feel.
Together, the former Church and Rectory are designated historic structures. Across all three buildings, The Roe preserves the architectural character of Manayunk’s past while creating a modern, sustainability-first residential community for the future.
Soaring to New Heights
The former School, now home to the Heights Collection, was built nearly 120 years ago and remains one of Manayunk’s tallest buildings. With its brick exterior, tall windows, crown molding, and enduring architectural scale, the building was designed with a level of permanence and craftsmanship that is rarely replicated today.
Inside, The Roe preserves the feeling of the original school while reimagining it for modern residential living. Wide nine-foot corridors recall the building’s original hallway proportions, while the residences maintain the light-filled atmosphere once created by the former classrooms. In the common space, a chalkboard pays subtle tribute to the building’s past.
On the first and second floors, loft-style flats feature approximately 10- to 11-foot ceilings and oversized windows.
On the upper levels, the former gymnasium was transformed into dramatic bi-level penthouse residences. The development team engineered and added an additional floor, creating two-level homes with partial living-room ceilings reaching approximately 20 feet. Many bedrooms overlook the living spaces below, while triple-pane glass helps preserve sunlight, privacy, and sound control.
The penthouses also carry forward the building’s history through their materials. The third-floor residences feature staircases that were handcrafted from rare salvaged heart pine timbers from the original School and Church. This historic longleaf pine, once prized for its strength, beauty, and durability, is nearly impossible to source today except through architectural salvage.
From the upper levels, many penthouse residences also enjoy expansive views across Manayunk, including panoramic views toward the Manayunk Bridge.
Modern Finishes
Inside each historic collection, restored architecture and original craftsmanship are paired with refined modern finishes designed for everyday comfort.
Residences feature hardwood or hardwood-style flooring, contemporary lighting, upgraded appliances, full-size in-home washers and dryers, upgraded closets, floating vanities, rain shower heads, and thoughtfully selected interior details throughout.
Each residence also includes modern residential technology such as smart thermostats, smart locks, fob access, and video intercom entry, allowing residents to see, hear, and speak with guests before granting access. The Roe will also include resident-accessible surveillance features designed to support a more connected and secure living experience.
A New Standard in Building
The Roe was designed to show what thoughtful residential development can be: historic restoration, new construction, sustainability, train access, parking, amenities, and modern residential comfort brought together within one connected community.
Behind the restored architecture and refined interiors is a deeper investment in how the buildings actually live. From sound control and energy efficiency to climate systems, windows, access technology, and everyday details, The Roe was designed around comfort residents can feel every day.
Energy efficiency was a major part of that approach. Instead of relying on standard systems, The Roe uses high-efficiency HVAC designed for reliable heating and cooling. High-performance windows were installed throughout the community to improve comfort, reduce energy loss, and support lower utility costs.
Sound control was treated with the same level of care. Rather than simply meeting minimum requirements, walls, floors, and ceilings were re-engineered with carefully selected materials to create a quieter residential experience. Solid-core interior doors, added insulation, and thoughtful construction details further support a more comfortable way to live.
That attention carries into the smaller choices residents notice over time: full-size in-home washers and dryers, upgraded appliances, LED lighting in nearly all bedroom ceilings, soft-close toilet seats, extra insulation in key areas, smart thermostats, smart locks, fob access, and video intercom entry that allows residents to see, hear, and speak with guests before granting access.
The amenity spaces were designed with the same intention. From the fitness center to the shared resident areas, The Roe was created to feel more considered than a typical apartment building — combining historic character, modern technology, sustainability, and everyday convenience within one reimagined Manayunk community.
Unimaginably Different
Why live in a typical apartment building when you can live within a restored historic community spread across entire 3 streets?
The Roe brings together three architectural landmarks and a new collection of private townhomes (coming soon)— all reimagined for modern residential living with parks, amenities, green space, parking, and a true sense of connection.
Choose from distinctive one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences, loft-style apartments, penthouses, and private townhomes, each offering its own character within one sustainably reimagined Manayunk community.
Historic character. Modern living. Parks, amenities, and a campus-like setting in the heart of Manayunk.
Intimate Boutique Living
The Roe offers the comfort and amenities of a larger residential community without the size or feel of a large apartment building.
Each collection has its own sense of scale and character. The Bell Collection, located within the former historic church, includes only eight residences in the building. Even the Heights Collection, the largest of The Roe’s historic buildings, has only twenty residences.
For residents who want more space and a private-home experience, The Roe offers the Signature Townhome Collection (coming soon) — new private townhomes with direct-entry garages, private entrances, outdoor space, and access to the same parks, amenities, and common spaces.
Across the community, residents enjoy access to The Roe’s fitness center, yoga/flex space, landscaped parks, and shared amenities, all within a sustainably reimagined Manayunk setting.
You do not have to live in Old City Philadelphia to find historic character. At The Roe, restored architectural treasures and new private homes come together just steps from Main Street Manayunk.
A New Chapter
Connected to the historical buildings, are new construction townhome rentals. Where else can you rent a townhome (that’s part of a full community) with garage parking, and have access to the gym and on-site amenities?
The Roe at Manayunk offers every type of living, private entrance and semi-private entrance, 1,2, or 3 bedrooms, townhomes and apartments, flats or lofts. Virtually each home at the Roe is unique and serves a variety of lifestyles.
Enjoy the comfort that comes from a connected community with shared walking paths, site lighting, green street trees, on-site parking, and amenities.
Roe Forward
The Roe at Manayunk is an amazing location – 1 block from the train, 1 ½ blocks to one of America’s Best Small Towns, the appeal of new construction, the charm of a historical site, and the opportunity to build a life outdoors.
Choose whatever type of floor plan or living you desire.
Experience humble luxury, green-sustainability, and a future-forward approach.
Be a part of history. #Roe Forward.