Steel framing is underway at 1408-18 East Oxford Street, a four-story multi-family building rising in Fishtown, Kensington. Designed by Ambit Architecture, the buildings will hold 42,211 square feet of space and 42 residential units. There will also be 32 parking spaces included within the structure to serve building residents. Construction cost is estimated at $5.25 million.
Rendering of 1408-18 East Oxford Street. Credit: Ambit Architecture.
The building will feature a very attractive, stately exterior that will be a great addition to the site once completed. The facade will be clad in tan brick, rising up the full height. The material will give the building a high-quality appearance that will make a great impact on the street once completed. Windows on the upper three floors will all feature a uniform slender and tall design that will look very intriguing. Larger windows will be situated on the ground floor, improving the site’s street presence when also paired with the planned street trees. The crown will pay homage to from a former era. The only less-than-ideal aspect of the design is the planned blank wall where the building wraps around the set of properties at the corner, although even this section will be clad in brick and will be partially blocked from view by the homes standing at the site.
Current view of 1408-18 East Oxford Street. Credit: Colin LeStourgeon.
Steel framing is currently underway, with the core already topped out. Tamburri Associates is handling the steel work, and the ground floor is now largely finished, with some steel framing already rising higher for the upper floors.
Current view of 1408-18 East Oxford Street. Credit: Colin LeStourgeon.
YIMBY’s previous update for the site took place last August. By that time, demolition and excavation work had already wrapped up, and concrete foundations were being poured to ready the structure for its vertical rise, which is now happening very rapidly, with the project moving full steam ahead.
Aerial view of 1408-18 East Oxford Street. Credit: Google.
Former conditions at the site were much less desirable. A low-slung, single-story red-brick industrial building stood at the site previously, occupying the entirety of the large property. Given the site’s large size and prime location, the industrial buildings clearly made for ineffective use of the site, and its removal is a certain positive for the surrounding neighborhood and commercial district.
The new building will be a massive improvement for the site, adding a very attractive building to the property as well as a solid density boost. There are 42 residential units being added to a property that formerly housed zero, which is the main positive aspect of the incoming development. Given the presence of Frankford Avenue just a block away, this boost in residential units certainly makes much sense, and will help support the many businesses in the surrounding area.
The building really could have been taller, which would have also allowed for more residential units, but the unfortunate presence of zoning overlays in the surrounding neighborhood blocked this dream, and resigned the building to max out at four stories. Additionally, the density of parking spaces included with the project seems rather high given the transit-accessible and walkable nature of the location, but it is likely that the project would not have gained enough community support had it not had these parking spots.
Current view of 1408-18 East Oxford Street. Credit: Colin LeStourgeon.
No official completion date is known for the project at this time, although work will likely be finished in 2023 if it continues at this rapid pace.
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