Permits have been issued for the construction of a mixed-use building at 5521 Wayne Avenue in Germantown, Northwest Philadelphia. Designed by CANNOdesign, the building will stand six stories tall and will hold 50 residential units, with commercial space situated on the ground floor. This density has been reached through a green roof and a mixed-income bonus. In total, the new building will hold 41,674 square feet of space. Construction costs are estimated at $6.5 million. Tester Construction Group is the contractor for the project.
Rendering of 5521 Wayne Avenue. Credit: Canno Design.
The new building will feature an attractive and stately exterior that will fit well into the neighborhood once built. White-gray brick will cover the entirety of the front face, rising from the first through sixth floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows will be situated on the ground floor at the commercial space, while massive, industrial-styled windows can be found above. An awning atop the ground floor is shown as decorated with flowering plants. Another key green feature shown in renderings are the trees at the top of the structure. On the sides of the structure, the building will be clad in dark gray siding, likely in order to save construction costs.
Current view of 5521 Wayne Avenue. Credit: Google.
The new building will be replacing a somewhat blighted, single-story structure that currently stands at the site. The building features a white stucco exterior with a doorway situated at the center, and does not really have any redeeming qualities. The structure, situated on a bustling corridor, makes for major underuse of the site, and the new six-story building will make for much more efficient use for the parcel. However, the construction of the new building may require removal of some of the old-growth trees surrounding the property.
Aerial view of 5521 Wayne Avenue. Credit: Google.
The new building will be a massive improvement for the site, adding a significant amount of residential units to a property currently occupied by a small, single-story structure. Between the 50 residential units and commercial space on the ground floor, the new structure will be a positive addition to Germantown’s commercial scene and will help generate further growth moving forward. If fully realized, Germantown’s layout, history, and architecture allows it the potential to become one of the city’s leading commercial areas.
No completion date is known for the project at this time.
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This is a very cool, interesting project. I feel like Germantown is teetering right on the edge: if the momentum continues for the city, this could become one of the most desirable up and coming neighborhoods anywhere. It has its own dense commercial corridor, strong transit, impressive historical housing stock, etc. Very happy to see investment here.
Happy New Year, 700 Level. 😉
Right back at you, happy new year! Let’s witness some serious development action in town this year!
Last year I left Old City for an 1860 single home I am renovating across from Clifford Park and love the area. Looking forward to gentrification of new people and businesses in the area. I am a new member of Plant Fitness nearby.
Hello, I own and operate the veterinary clinic across the street. Please consider preserving the old growth street trees on Wayne avenue. They are over 100 years old and beautify the neighborhood and street scape.
I have lived in Mt. Airy for 39 years. It is disgusting what
developers are doing and trying to do to NW. Philadelphia. If
I had wanted the density of Center City, I would have moved
there. All of this gentrification is ruining our neighborhoods.