Thomas Campbell apartment complex in South Strabane sold
New property management firm pledges $1.4 million in upgrades
The Thomas Campbell senior-living apartment complex in South Strabane Township has been sold to a housing firm that is pledging to make $1.4 million in upgrades to the buildings.
Contour Housing Partners, a housing preservation firm launched by Philadelphia-based Pennrose property management, announced Tuesday it had closed on the deal to acquire the 125-unit Thomas Campbell Apartments and 75-unit Thomas Campbell North building.
“Thomas Campbell Apartments and Thomas Campbell North have been a stable, trusted home for Washington County seniors for decades, and this acquisition allows us to build on that legacy,” said Dylan Salmons, who is president and managing partner for Contour Housing Partners. “We’re committed to preserving long-term affordability for residents, while investing in the upgrades that will keep these communities safe and comfortable for years to come.”
The property management company said the transaction will preserve long-term affordability for senior citizens currently living at the complex while also offering $1.4 million in upgrades to the facilities without needing the residents to relocate while the work is undertaken. Contour said it will invest in capital improvements to address deferred maintenance needs, replace critical building systems and improve comfort, reliability, energy efficiency, and long-term quality of the buildings.
The properties were acquired from the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ, which is a non-profit organization that provides housing for low-income people and families. Contour added that it plans to maintain longstanding community partnerships and support services for residents, including establishing an agreement that allows the church to continue providing religious services to residents through the complex’s existing chapel. Contour said it will also invest in third-party social services through its management agent NDC.
According to a release from Contour, the apartment complex at 850 Beech St. was developed in the 1970s with a variety of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units in the two buildings. About 70% of the units offer affordable housing through long-term Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments contracts with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That arrangement will remain in place to preserve current rents, the new property management company announced.
Dozens of residents were displaced by a fire in a December 2021 fire that started on the sixth floor and killed a 78-year-old woman. In response, the facility invested $7 million into installing a sprinkler system and modernizing the fire alarms. Another fire in January 2025 – apparently started by a lit cigarette – killed a 68-year-old resident and damaged two units.
Financial terms of the deal were not released Tuesday, although records on the Washington County Tax Assessment website show transactions of $3.386 million and $3.378 million on Aug. 26 for the two parcels, and a subsequent sale of $744,143 on Sept. 10 for the complex to Thomas Campbell Member LLC. The mailing address to send tax bills to Thomas Campbell Member LLC is identical to the address listed for Pennrose in Philadelphia.
The acquisition was financed by a Freddie Mac loan serviced by Walker & Dunlop, according to a press release.
Contour Housing Partners was started in January 2023 by executives from Pennrose to focus on acquiring and preserving existing rental properties to ensure they remain affordable.