Historic Porter Leath Orphanage

Located at 850 N. Manassas, Porter Leath sits on approximately 6 acres and holds two historic structures and a large greenspace on the southern half of the property. The main orphanage building dates to the 1850s and was converted to a medical clinic and office use in the 1970s and 1980s. It has been vacant for over five years. The Gould Cottage building – built in 1927 – was also converted to office space and is currently occupied by the CRA.

Porter Leath is central to Smokey City and is ripe for enhancement through the adaptive reuse process.

UPDATE:

The CRA signed a redevelopment agreement with a development team in December 2025. AON Investments LLC – in partnership with P.E.A.R.L. With You, a veterans’ housing/services nonprofit – plans to rehabilitate the main historic orphanage building for veterans’ housing and support services. In addition, the developer plans to provide new, affordable housing options on a vacant part of the site, as well as maintain green space on the south side of the campus. AON Investments is working with their design team, as well as their financial consultants, to finalize construction and financing plans for the project in 2026.