Last updated: January 7, 2025
Article
Kennedy Supplee Mansion Leasing Opportunity
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Notice of Upcoming Leasing Opportunity
The Kennedy Supplee Mansion is available for a ten (10) year lease beginning as early as January 2029 following a comprehensive rehabilitation by the National Park Service (NPS). Allowable uses include restaurant, other light commercial use, or office. A Request for Proposals is scheduled to be released in February 2025.
Lease Premises
The lease premises includes the Kennedy Supplee Mansion, an associated carriage house and parking for approximately 100 vehicles. Of those 100 spaces, 20 spaces are at the same grade as the mansion, and 80 spaces in a separate parking lot accessible via steps (formerly used as a valet parking lot).
Owner
National Park Service (NPS)
Kennedy Supplee Rehabilitation Scope
With funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), the National Park Service plans to fully rehabilitate the Kennedy Supplee Mansion and the surrounding Port Kennedy area. The mansion itself will receive a full exterior and interior rehabilitation, including all new building systems. Due to the historic nature of the mansion and its surroundings, the character defining features of the building and surrounding landscape must be maintained. Within the mansion, the primary character defining features include the current floor plan and all plaster & woodwork. The associated carriage house will also be rehabilitated. Utilities will be upgraded as necessary. Driveways, parking lots and the surrounding landscape will also be improved.
Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)
Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA funding is providing up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to the National Park Service (NPS) to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors. Valley Forge is slated to receive $32.5 million to rehabilitate buildings for adaptive re-use leases and demolish obsolete structures throughout the park.
Kennedy Supplee Rehabilitation and Leasing Timeline
| February 2025 |
• NPS releases Kennedy Supplee (KS) Lease Request for Proposals (RFP) • NPS awards Preliminary Design (PD) / Schematic Design (SD) |
|---|---|
| April 2025 |
• NPS selects RFP proposal and enters into exclusive negotiating period with selected entity • Selected entity provides input into NPS design process |
| June 2025 |
• NPS completes PD |
| January 2026 |
• NPS completes SD • NPS Investment Review Board project presentation (NPS go/no go decision) • NPS contracts for Fair Market Rental Value (FMRV) appraisal based on SD |
| March 2026 |
• NPS awards Design Development (DD) and Construction Drawings (CD) |
| January 2027 |
• NPS and selected entity finalize KS Lease terms including FMRV |
| February 2027 |
• Selected entity makes KS lease go/no go decision • If go, selected entity executes KS Lease with term beginning when NPS construction ends • If no go, NPS may select another entity from the initial RFP, or issue another RFP |
| March 2027 |
• NPS completes CD • Selected entity begins developing its plans for tenant fit-out |
| June 2027 |
• NPS awards construction contract (provided there is sufficient funding) |
| September 2027 |
• NPS starts construction |
| March 2028 |
• NPS approves selected entity’s plans for tenant fit-out |
| December 2028 |
• NPS completes construction |
| January 2029 |
• NPS executes KS Lease and Lease term begins • NPS issues building permit based on approved plans for tenant fit-out • Lessee begins tenant fit-out |
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Building History
Constructed in 1852, the Kennedy Supplee Mansion is a Victorian mansion in the Italianate-Italian style villa featuring Egyptian Revival interior decorations. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Recent Operating History
In 1986, Kennedy Supplee Associates LP (KSA) signed a 55-year lease with the National Park Service, restored the building, and operated it as the Kennedy Supplee Mansion Restaurant. Following the 1987 renovation by KSA, the restaurant operated with approximately 1,100 square feet of dining space located on the first and approximately 2,200 square feet of dining and bar space on the second floor. The third floor was largely given over to HVAC equipment, but it also contained an office and liquor cage. Sections of the basement were used for cold storage and dry storage. See foor plans below. The company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2005. The mansion has been vacant since 2006.
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Location
1050 Old Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406 is located in Upper Merion Township at the eastern edge of Valley Forge National Historical Park off of Pennsylvania State Route 23. The mansion is adjacent to and visible from U.S. Route 422 and is close to the commercial center of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
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Floor Plans
Basement
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First Floor
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Second Floor
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Third Floor
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Review Documentation
Download PDF documents containing the information on this page at the links below.