Philly Style • September/October 2004
7 Strangers find out what it’s like when they stop being polite and start getting real
by Rebecca Rosner and Joseph Dennis Kelly II

You’ve heard the buzz. First they were coming. Then they weren't. And then finally, after much deliberation, they were back. Never before had so much commotion been made in Philadelphia over seven people under 25 who don't sing, play football or have special cheesesteak-making skills. Philadelphia welcomed the cast of MTV's Real World to, our city and encouraged them to explore our bars and restaurants, our museums and arenas, our parks and streets. Because, after all, wherever the Real World cast went, so did the cameras, and therefore, instant association between Philadelphia and MTV-cool.

After 14 seasons, Real World viewers have come to expect scandals, breakdowns, love interests and, of course, an incredible house. As the opening credits explain, Real World is "the true story of seven strangers, picked to live in a house to find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real." Though we can't be sure of the scandals and breakdowns until the show premieres in September, the house certainly didn't disappoint. The Real World cast called the former home of the Seamen's Church Institute of Philadelphia their home during the taping of the show. The circa-1907 neoclassical structure was once a Union National Bank and is now owned by Old City’s Yaron Properties. Tracy Chaplin, supervising producer of Real World, and Philadelphia-based interior designer Norm Dodge wanted to maintain the historical elements of the building while still giving the show's 68 million viewers an image of contemporary Philadelphia. The combination of classic architecture and hip style resulted in a house sure to make any viewer green with envy about the lives of the Real World cast.

Project Team Designer: Norm Dodge & Associates, Paoli and New York City
General contractor: Apple Construction, Philadelphia
Plants: Foliage Design Systems, New Castle, Del.
Furniture: Dane Decor Downtown, Philadelphia; Minima, Philadelphia
Lighting sculptures: bahdeebahdu, Philadelphia
Custom bedding and linens: NZBH Custom Linens, Philadelphia
Custom draperies: Susan Hanes Sewing, Philadelphia
Custom pillows: Foam Land Inc., Philadelphia
Custom stonework: EP Henry, Woodbury, N.J.
Custom furniture: Massarelli's Lawn Ornaments, Hammonton, N.J.
Paint: Finnaren & Haley, Philadelphia
Flooring: Bryn Mawr Flooring, Plymouth Meeting
Carpeting: Shaw Carpet, King of Prussia
Doors: Eastern Distributors Inc., Philadelphia
Kitchen countertops and cabinetry: Touhill Woodworks, Darby; InDepth Inc., Philadelphia
Closets and storage systems: Closet & Storage Concepts, Voorhees, N.J.
Lending art galleries: Gallery Siano, Philadelphia; Premiere Fine Arts Gallery, New Hope; Pantelyat Gallery, Philadelphia; Union 237 Gallery, Philadelphia; and Silicon Gallery, Philadelphia.