Permits have been issued for 5139 Wayne Avenue, a 48-unit building that will be situated in Germantown, Northwest Philadelphia. Once completed, the structure will rise four stories tall. A green roof would be included at the top. In total, the building will span 34,077 square feet of space. According to permits, the project will cost an estimated $4.8 million to build.
Rendering of 5139 Wayne Avenue via Showcase.
Renderings of the building show a simple and modern exterior consisting largely of a gray cladding. The ground floor appears to be covered in white cast stone with a small ramp, stair, and garden space directly in front to meet the sidewalk. The upper floors are covered in alternating shades of gray concrete or stucco, with windows breaking up the pattern.
Current view of 5139 Wayne Avenue. Credit: Google.
The development has drawn some opposition from the surrounding community due to what it is replacing. The Pearson House was built around 1857 and holds a unique space in Germantown history. The home at the site was added to the Philadelphia Historical Commission after demolition permits had entered the permitting system. The building is a great example of Queen Anne Revival architecture. However, the permits have been issued and demolition prep work has begun on the building. Although the commercial building permits could be revoked in the future, the demolition of the structure cannot be halted due to an appeal.
Although new construction can help neighborhoods grow and prosper, tearing down historical structures not a preferable way of development.
Rendering of 5139 Wayne Avenue via Showcase.
The future of the development is uncertain as the neighborhood continues its push to halt the demolition of the home, and there is no certainty as to which side will prevail. If built, the new building will be a reminder of the demise of Philadelphia’s historical and architectural assets.
Philly YIMBY will continue to monitor what happens at the property in the future.
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The demo permit was issued BEFORE the house was added to the Historical Commission protected list. The demo guys were blocked from demoing the building due to a BS reason that they never had a L&I walkover of the property. No judge will revoke the demo on such grounds.
The new building will pay homage to what was there before.
How exactly will the new monstrosity pay homage to what was there before? The new building is depressing.
Philly has a long history of neglecting its 19th Century architecture. Demolition of such an historical asset would be a crime. Where is the money coming from for the new development?…most likely out of town from investors who give not a rat’s a** about local culture and history. -Jim
That’s a shame!! 🙁
This development needs to reconsider all options to preserve the historic building while adding to it.
It’s been done before.
when even YIMBY has doubts about the goodness of a project because of what has to be torn down, then we know there’s real reasons to stop it. Just another in the very long line of the Historic (AKA do nothing) Commission being a day late and a dollar short, near worthless.
Correct. I’m surprised YIMBY isn’t extolling the virtues of this bleep-box “ending the suburban nature” of Wayne Avenue.
Parking?
WAYNE AVENUE BROTHERS LP are the owners of the now demolished Pearson Home. They left two sheds and a picnic table on the rear of the property. These items now serve as a crack smoking den. I get to smell the sickening crack aroma on a lovely breezy day. When the workers were asked to remove those items, at first they said yes and then were told not to touch them. I can’t help but think the owners are trying to make me feel so uncomfortable that I will move. I guess they need more room to build that monstrosity. What ever happened to home ownership? There are so many tenements going up but no new houses.