Snowboards Get New Ride

All too often we hoard things that at one time were expensive but are no longer useful. You feel guilty tossing away this possession, if only you could find a new use! Take a cue from one home in Northern Liberties that transformed old snowboards into a cool new bench.

Renovation Nation

Patrick and Johnny McDonald along with Howard Steinberg built this home which was designed by Plumbob (the design arm of Onion Flats). This project was featured on Planet Green's Renovation Nation noting Onion Flats as Philly's dream team of green building.

Forbes Loves Philly

After looking at the country’s 40 largest metro areas and examining appreciation and vacany rates, Forbes ranked Philly the 4th best market to buy a home. In the last two years alone home values increased 9.1% and vacany rates remain low at just 1.9%. According to Forbes the “housing market is relatively solid” in these areas. Philly’s proximity to NYC and DC, low cost living and concentration of Universities (second only to Boston) provides added stability for the housing and employment sectors.

In 2006 Forbes dubbed the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia the 11th best place in the country to buy a home. Not bad for a neighborhood that was barely on the radar a five years ago but now boasts some of the city’s best-backed developments including the almost completed American lofts designed by architect Winka Dubbeldam and the proposed Trump Tower along the waterfront. With the addition of Duck Flats, Stable Flats, Thin Flats and New Market Flats Northern Liberties is distinguishing itself as the City’s greenest neighborhood with the highest concentration of LEED certified homes.

McDonald's, LEED Philly and Cali

The McDonald Clan is taking a bi-coastal LEED on sustainable development. While Tim and Pat McDonald, along with lifelong friend Howard Steinberg of Onion Flats put the finishing touches on Philly's first LEED certified homes, Mike McDonald awaits certification for the Margardio House, the first LEED Platinum custom home in Northern California.


Mike's company, McDonald Construction & Development, built the home which was designed by Plumbob (the design arm of Onion Flats). Just recently Pat and Howard flew out to the San Francisco to help install the greenroof and rain harvesting system. The home, which Mike now lives in with his wife and daughter, was featured on Planet Green's Renovation Nation.