Philadelphia, PA – [December 17, 2025] – Avenue of the Arts, Inc., the nonprofit dedicated to enhancing and promoting Philadelphia’s premier performing arts district, announced today that Carl E. Dranoff, President and Founder of Dranoff Properties, has been elected Board Chair, effective December 9, 2025.
Dranoff succeeds Madeline Apollo and will lead the organization as it advances an ambitious new chapter for the Avenue of the Arts. Brook J. Lenfest will remain Vice Chair, and Tom McCarthy will serve as the newly elected Treasurer.
Dranoff, a visionary urban developer, is well known for turning whole neighborhoods in Philadelphia into vibrant, sought-after mixed-use communities. As a trailblazer in the development of the Avenue of the Arts, he has been instrumental in transforming South Broad Street into a nationally acclaimed cultural and residential hub.
In his new role as Board Chair, Dranoff will lead AveArts 2.0, a bold public realm transformation project that will reimagine the Avenue of the Arts from City Hall to Washington Avenue. The initiative will create a more park-like, people-centered boulevard with sidewalk planting beds, café seating, new public art, pop-up performance spaces, and landscaped, tree-lined medians—strengthening the Avenue as both a cultural destination and a vibrant neighborhood.
“It’s an honor to serve as Board Chair of Avenue of the Arts, Inc.,” said Dranoff. “The Avenue has been a passion for me for 30 years—it’s about culture and community coming together to create a great urban place and destination. With AveArts 2.0, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine and elevate the public realm into a destination in its own right.” This will ensure the Avenue of the Arts continues to thrive as an economic driver for the region and helps Center City evolve into a city of the future.
Vice Chair Brook Lenfest brings deep experience as an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and philanthropist, with longstanding commitments to education, workforce development, and the arts. Treasurer Tom McCarthy adds strong financial leadership and governance expertise to the executive committee as the organization expands its revitalization efforts.
Both Dranoff and Lenfest also serve on the Board of Trustees for Ensemble Arts. “These leadership appointments position Avenue of the Arts, Inc. for its next phase of impact,” said Executive Director Desaree K. Jones. “Carl’s vision and legacy on the Avenue, combined with Brook’s continued leadership and Tom’s financial stewardship, will be instrumental as we deliver transformative improvements along South Broad Street.”
Avenue of the Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the Avenue of the Arts neighborhood, which spans South Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue, extending east to 13th Street and west to 15th Street. The organization drives economic development through advocacy, fundraising, street beautification, and cultural activation, and is currently leading the AveArts 2.0 revitalization initiative. For more information and to sign up for updates, please visit www.avenueofthearts.org.