Community Corner

Franklin Commons: Live and Learn

This expansive facility proves a resource to Phoenixville area residents.

You can attend preschool through grad school without leaving the building. Then, you can get married there, take your kids to play there and attend meetings for local clubs in the Phoenixville area there.

Franklin Commons, located on the north side of Phoenixville, certainly has a great deal to offer the community. The building, constructed in 1903, had four owners through the years, with four different uses.

In its first incarnations, Franklin Commons housed a silk mill and a carpet factory. Following that a plastic pump company moved in. That closed in 2003, and the building was purchased—somewhat inadvertently—by Dave and Marian Moskowitz.

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The pair of developers aimed to build homes on the land adjacent to Franklin Commons. However, when they bought the parcel they also acquired the industrial building at 400 Franklin Ave. The developers came up with a plan.

“They had the vision of education and never having to leave your kids behind—that was the main vision,” said Teri Eide, public relations director at Franklin Commons.

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In 2007, tenants began moving into the 225,000-square foot facility. Franklin Commons boasts a bistro, event space, classrooms and a ton of work by artist John Gwinn of Stowe.

Gwinn’s work strikes visitors as soon as they set foot in Franklin Commons, with colorful paintings reaching from floor to ceiling. A sculpture garden outside features work of local artists, as well.

One bit of work not done by Gwinn is a striking piece located off the lobby. On a stark background, multiple sculpted hands reach out, grasping red strings. In the center, the Moskowitz’ hands grasp each other, holding the strings together.

Eide explained that each of the hands represents someone who had some part of the revitalization of the space, from janitors to engineers.

Franklin Hall, within the facility, plays host to events, like and a held by the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The long hallways and high ceilings maintain the industrial vibe, brightened by paint and Gwinn’s work covering the walls. Much of the space is taken up by education tenants, playing into the vision of Dave and Marian Moskowitz.

As Eide pointed out, while the revitalization of Franklin Commons wasn’t planned all along, “sometimes the best things are the things they didn’t dream of.”

Tenants at Franklin Commons include:

  •             21st Century Products
  •             A Healthy Change for Us
  •             Better Communication Through Education
  •             Body-Borneman Insurance
  •             Cornucopia Catering
  •             D&M Glass
  •             Facetime Performing Arts Studio
  •             Great Valley Adventure Boot Camp
  •             James C. Lolli, Architect, LLC
  •             Lansdale School of Business
  •             Life Management
  •             Miller Designworks
  •             Neumann University
  •             Palma, L.P.
  •             Phoenixville Area Children's Learning Center
  •             Phoenixville Area Positive Alternatives
  •             Renaissance Academy
  •             Rock & Roll After School
  •             Seraph
  •             Soul Centered Health
  •             Stepping Stone Education Center
  •             Triumphe Capital Associates, LLC


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