How do you convert a shuttered arts campus in Philadelphia into something meaningful for the community?
That was the challenge facing design and development firm Scout when it took on a project to revitalize the former University of the Arts property, which closed in 2024.
The Village of Industry & Art (VIA) is an adaptive reuse project centered around the shuttered UArts campus in Center City Philadelphia. It was recognized as sale/acquisition of the year in Philadelphia as part of the 2026 CoStar Impact Awards, which were judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
"Even in its earliest phase, the Village of Industry & Art is already beginning to reconnect Philadelphia’s creative community to this historic building," Lindsey Scannapieco, managing partner of Scout, said in an email.
"Frankie’s Summer Club brought more than 25,000 visitors through the secret garden last summer, and the building has since hosted deeply meaningful moments — from the Celebration of Life to provide space to mourn the closure of UArts to exhibitions with Paradigm Gallery highlighting alumni artist Kay Healy," she added. "Our hope is that these early activations are just the beginning, helping to restore the Avenue of the Arts as a place where artists work, gather, and shape the cultural life of the city."
About the project: The campus contains dedicated ceramics buildings, wood shops and a metal foundry in 110,000 square feet on 1.9 acres — rare infrastructure in a central urban context. The space hosts artists, studios, retailers and pop-up events, preserving the campus as a place of production and creativity. The former student dormitories will house 45 artists in residency.
What the judges said: "Scout's plans for VIA will help breathe new life into the former UArts facilities and are a welcome beacon for investment in the Avenue of the Arts corridor. I can't wait to see how the project evolves," said Gina Lavery, executive vice president and principal of Econsult Solutions.
"This is a case of turning a massive loss into a massive gain from a cultural, development and revitalization perspective," said Ed Falkowski, executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield.
"With this acquisition Scout will continue to keep the vibrant Arts and Cultural scene alive along South Broad Street," said Nadia Bilynsky, principal at MPN Realty.
They made it happen: Lindsey Scannapieco, co-founder and managing partner at Scout; Everett Abitbol, director of development at Scout; Zachary Gorman, partner at Ballard Spahr law firm; Carol Ann Mueller, founder of Solid Legal Ground; Elizabeth Frantz, senior director and Philadelphia market leader for lending and investments at the Reinvestment Fund; Robert Cox, managing director for community lending at the Reinvestment Fund.