Construction work is nearly complete at the five-story, 28-unit rental building at 171 West Berks Street in Norris Square. Designed by Ambit Architecture, the building will feature ground-level retail and residential amenities such as a fitness center, bicycle storage, and nine parking spaces. The roof deck will offer a lounge area, a dog park, yoga space, and sweeping skyline views. At the moment, the structure appears effectively finished, although the ground-level retail space has not yet opened.
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
171 West Berks Street. Credit: Ambit Architecture
171 West Berks Street. Credit: Ambit Architecture
The building spans a site fronted by West Berks Street to the south, West Mascher Street to the east, and Mutter Street to the west, with the Berks Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line located within a five-minute walk to the east. The project received a zoning variance for its industrial-zoned (I-2) site in 2016 and received a construction permit in May 2020. The permit called for a total construction area of 31,423 square feet and full sprinkling within the structure. Turn Key Realty LLC was specified as the contractor. Construction cost was listed at $4.55 million.
The single-story garage-style commercial-industrial structure that stood at the site was demolished in 2020, and the new building’s wooden frame was topped out by January of this year.
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
The structure sports an attractive, modern exterior clad in gray brick with light beige accents. The Berks Street-facing commercial space, which spans both of the street corners at the site, is a vast improvement over the preceding site conditions, creating transparency at the ground level and an opportunity for pedestrians to engage with the building. The feature somewhat makes up for the pedestrian-unfriendly condition created by curb cuts on Mascher and Mutter streets, which are used for access to the nine-car garage at the rear of the ground floor.
The units range from studios to two-bedroom apartments, and feature large, floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and in-unit washer/dryers. Apartments span from 459 to 1,063 square feet and are available for rent from $1,250 to $2,350 per month.
171 West Berks Street. Credit: Ambit Architecture
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
171 West Berks Street via UPenn Off-Campus Housing
The building stands near the meeting point of the Norris Square, Fishtown, and Olde Kensington neighborhoods. The area features numerous small businesses, eateries, and entertainment venues, as well as green spaces, such as Towey Playground, which sits catty-corner to the southeast, and Norris Square Park, located two blocks to the north. The Temple University campus is situated within a 15-minute walk to the west.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Be the first to comment on "Completion Nears at 28-Unit Rental Building at 171 West Berks Street in Norris Square"