Temple University debating what to do with Burk Mansion

Burk Mansion, owned by Temple University, has been vacant since 1995.

Temple has been debating what to do with the fire damaged building because it has been unoccupied for quite some time. The mansion is currently being rehabilitated, but the university has no plans for it after that, as highlighted in today’s edition of the Temple News.

The three-story, 27 room mansion, located on the corner of Broad and Jefferson streets was built and inhabited in 1909 for millionaire Burk, until his death in 1921. Ownership of the mansion fell into the hands of Temple University in 1971, housing its School for Social Administration and Center for Social Policy, as well as Temple’s now-obsolete daycare program.

The highly praised and awarded building was shut down in July 1995, due to a fire from an air conditioner repair in 1993. Temple’s daycare program ended with it.

Temple University does not plan to sell the historical mansion but intends to renovate it as a historic edifice that could be used whenever the university sees fit. However, John Gallery, executive director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia believes Temple should sell the building and “give someone else a chance to do something with it.”

What do you think Temple should do with its uninhabited mansion?