Photos – courtesy of Gabriel Adels ©
In Dream House, Gabriel Adels invites readers into the story of transforming his crumbling West Philadelphia row home during the height of the pandemic. What begins as a crash course in construction for a young man in his twenties evolves into a deeper exploration of self-acceptance, identity, and love. From learning the trade with the help of a mentor to applying those skills in his own home, Adels reveals how the physical act of rebuilding becomes a metaphor for his journey toward emotional stability and purpose.
While Adels hones his craft and navigates the steep learning curve of DIY renovation, his partner, Nina, immerses herself in Philly’s vibrant music scene. Their contrasting paths test the strength of their relationship, forcing them to confront tough questions about their future together. As Adels wrestles with the pull of financial security and a desire for family, Dream House becomes a portrait of how love and commitment can be as fragile—and as resilient—as the walls of a home under construction.
Gabriel Adels is a writer, musician, builder, and social worker. He graduated from Bard College with a BA in Urban Studies, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Social Work at Bryn Mawr. He published his first memoir Gabetour in 2018, and the follow-up, Dream House, in the fall of 2024.
With humour and unflinching honesty, Adels sheds light on the racial tensions of his gentrifying neighbourhood, examining his role as a white suburban transplant trying to root himself in a diverse and dynamic community. He questions his career path, balancing his passion for building with uncertainty about what lies ahead.
Dream House follows Adels’ acclaimed debut memoir, Gabetour: A Ride Through Landscapes of Grief in Story and Song, which chronicled his cross-country bike trip after the loss of his brother. While Gabetour explored grief, Dream Houseshifts the focus to healing and finding wholeness through the creative and challenging process of making a home.
This is a story of self-discovery, love, and community, told with wit and vulnerability. Through his triumphs and struggles, Adels captures the messy, beautiful work of building not just a house, but a life. Readers will be inspired by his earnest search for connection—with his partner, his neighbourhood, and himself.
