On Oct. 2022, 2026, Temple University President John Fry announced the renaming of the historic Alfred E. Burk House, located at 1500 N. Broad St., to the Spolan Community Engagement Center, in recognition of a naming gift from Michael Spolan, through his Spolan Family Fund.

In April 2026, to further the building’s impact as a multiuse space for local resources and support, the university submitted a proposal to the Philadelphia Historical Commission with plans for extensive restorations. The planned renovations to the building have begun, with the intent to open in early 2028. Once complete, the Spolan Community Engagement Center will serve as the foundation for and location of Temple’s community-centered initiatives in North Philadelphia.

Envisioning the location’s future and impact 

In the proposal to the Philadelphia Historical Commission, Temple presented opportunities for what programs and spaces could be housed at the location and continue to grow the university’s longstanding commitment to residents. 

Temple’s Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement will lead efforts to revitalize the building and the services housed there. Because the university is deeply ingrained in the North Philadelphia community, plans will emphasize feedback from community members and partners to inform what resources will be available. Services like Temple’s Community Gateway will move to the Spolan Community Engagement Center when it reopens.

Future programs and spaces housed at Burk Mansion will continue to grow the university’s longstanding commitment to residents. 

• Computer labs, to support digital access and creative skills.  
• Open spaces, for a range of movement activities.
• A community garden, to promote food access and community connection. 

The location has a vibrant history and significant meaning to the North Philadelphia community.  

Temple acquired the building from the Burk family in 1971. In the 1960s, it was the home of the university’s School of Social Administration, through its Center for Social Policy and Community Development. It served as the location for multiple community initiatives—including education, workforce development, violence prevention and child welfare training programs—for the neighborhoods surrounding Main Campus and the Health Sciences Center.  

The building has been vacant since 1995; in 2012, the university invested in its preservation, with this year’s proposal to the Philadelphia Historical Commission serving as the plans for its future use.