Jonathan Stone Sutton
Jonathan Stone Sutton, 75, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.
Jon was a founding partner of Growth Properties, which was at the forefront of the rebirth of Old City in Philadelphia. Their St. Charles Court project, with 27 apartments, was one of the first historic restoration projects in that neighborhood. The company redeveloped several similar apartment and retail projects throughout the area. In 1984, with Brickstone Properties, they rehabilitated the Lit Brothers complex, which included 13 structures, into the 990,000-square-foot Mellon Independence Center. This project was awarded the National Trust’s annual award for historic restoration and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s 25-year award for historic preservation. Jon led the conversion of an abandoned Mill Valley site into 73 upscale luxury townhomes. As the successor to Renaissance Properties, Jon’s company rehabilitated and added a new tower to the historic Bookbinder’s complex, developing 17 luxury condominiums and a renewed restaurant.
Jon was born in Columbus, Ohio, and attended Columbus Academy. A graduate of Amherst College, he earned graduate degrees at the University of Pennsylvania in architecture and landscape architecture. He later taught urban design at the University of Pennsylvania and passive solar design at Drexel University.
In his early career, Jon was an associate partner of the architectural firm Wallace, McHarg, Roberts and Todd. Following the ecological design theory established by Ian McHarg, he led the planning process for development of the Sea Pines Amelia Island Plantation in Florida and The Woodlands in Texas, among other significant projects.
Jon was active in several organizations in his local community. Although he was a successful developer, he also believed in the preservation of open space. As a long-time member of the Nether Providence Environmental Advisory Committee, he was instrumental in saving several large tracts in the township for open space and also in drafting the first Soil Erosion Control Ordinance for the township. A member of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, he was an elder and served on the property committee.
For over four decades, he was an ardent supporter of the Community Arts Center (CAC) in Wallingford. He was intimately involved with the physical growth and enhancement of the property and was instrumental in achieving historic designation for two buildings on the property, saving them from destruction during the construction of Interstate 476 (the Blue Route). He designed every major renovation on the property, most importantly the highly praised Duke Gallery addition.
He found solace working in his extensive forest gardens. Jon will be remembered for his wonderful sense of fun and his bright, gentle spirit.
Jon is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Karen Sutton; daughters Eva-Marie Chopra, Thea Harvey, and Amelia Jevicki; sons-in-law, Preet Chopra, Duane Harvey, and Adrian Jevicki; brother Charles Sutton and his wife Eve; and five grandchildren.
Planning is ongoing for a Celebration of Life event in the coming year.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Arts Center, 414 Plush Mill Rd., Wallingford PA 19086.
