Local Developer Wins Award

Moorestown-based Grapevine Development was recognized by the Burlington County Freeholders for its work on the Zurbrugg Mansion in Delanco.

Administered by the Burlington County Library System, the Historic Preservation Awards Program recognizes projects completed between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2010. The awards are given to residents and organizations for the contribution to the preservation of the county’s history.

Grapevine, a real estate investment and property development company, won first place for Adaptive Use/Rehabilitation.

Grapevine Development in 2008 from Delanco Township. At the time, the building had been vacant for three years. The company redeveloped the building a 27-unit, independent lower-income senior residence.

Through Grapevine’s efforts, the Georgian Revival Mansion, which celebrates its centennial this year, was added to the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Historic Places. The home was designed by Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness.

“We repaired and remediated and reconfigured,” Grapevine managing partner Randy Cherkas said. “This was the first project we had done like that.”

There was also an addition put on the back. Moorestown-based JVS Properties oversaw construction.

Grapevine maintained the home’s common areas, which are used by residents and the community. The building is also home to the township’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board.

“We restored this building to the community,” Cherkas said. “It was a big deal getting it done.

“It was a risky project that took a lot of work by a lot of people to get done.”

Along with Grapevine’s team–Cherkas, Joe Ventresca, Mel Baiada, Mike Beckett and Jeff Snyder–John Rahenkamp, a Delanco planner and developer, worked on the project.

As part of the approval to redevelop the building, Grapevine was given approval to subdivide the property and add eight townhouses. There is also a carriage house on the property that will be restored as a single-family home.

“This was an opportunity and a challenge,” said Cherkas. “It was an interesting project and it was helpful to the community.”