Renderings have been revealed for a mixed-use development at 6515 Ridge Avenue in Roxborough, Northwest Philadelphia. Designed by Ingram/Sageser, the building will rise six stories tall and hold 100 apartments, with commercial space on the ground floor. A below-grade garage will offer 40 parking spaces.
Rendering of 6515 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Ingram/Sageser.
The new building will feature a simple design that matches modern trends in the surrounding neighborhood. Not a significant level of detail was included in the majority of the facade. It is comprised of light blue cladding, although corners of the Ridge Avenue facing side of the building will include stone detailing. Limestone block will be situated at the ground floor and will help provide a nice street presence. If one thing could be changed about the design, bringing this limestone block up to the full height of the building would provide a very unique and attractive design. Street trees will be planted along Ridge Avenue to improve the sidewalk scene.
View of 6515 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Google.
The new building will be replacing a low-slung suburban-styled strip mall that currently occupies the site. The small shopping center stands one story tall and is comprised of a tan stucco facade with larger windows at the commercial spaces. The row of businesses is separated from the street by a surface parking lot which also wraps around the building.
Rendering of 6515 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Ingram/Sageser.
When looking at the changes that will be made at the property, this development is clearly a major improvement to the site. The removal of the strip mall is already something that will help improve the corridor, and replacing it with a large scale mixed-use building is added bonus. The retail space at the ground floor will maintain a commercial presence at the property, while the new density on upper floors will help Ridge Avenue become a stronger commercial corridor in the neighborhood. Additionally, the building’s massing allows for an improved street presence and an upgrade to the existing conditions.
Rendering of 6515 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Ingram/Sageser.
Rendering of 6515 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Ingram/Sageser.
While some may see the design as somewhat plain, the more simple design and facade will hopefully support the affordability of the units. More housing is needed in Roxborough and the city as a whole, so these new 100 units can help relieve some of the pressure.
View of 6515 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Google.
The project is one of the many new mixed-use and multi-family buildings being added to the corridor in recent times as a result of its more generous zoning. Once stepping off of Ridge, however, the amount of new residential units drops significantly. This situation highlights the importance of up zoning major corridors to allow for larger projects.
No completion date is known for the project at this time.
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Did this go through CDR and is this a by right? If so, smooth sailing.
What transportation alternatives are available including SEPTA bus and how far away is Regional Rail Station to the new project?
This project will be a winner!
The Roxborough neighbors are losing their minds over this and just about every other project on Ridge Avenue, and then want to complain about lack of affordable housing in the area. Love to see it, folks.
Really, “Fig”? You love to see it? Tell us why. Neighbors are complaining because developers are jamming incongruent housing in a neighborhood that can’t accommodate it. What in bloody earth does your comment about affordable housing mean?
100 units and 40 parking spots? Can someone please share the evidence to support that only 40% will want parking in Roxborough? Yes, it’s right on a SEPTA Bus route but regional rail is not in walking distance and with the price of these units most people will probably also own a car.
Right you are Chad, but at least 40 more cars won’t be driving around looking for parking!!
Now it is 100 units a 0 parking spots because of a loophole.
There should be a minimum of 1 parking space for each unit and the building is obnoxious and should only be half its proposed size. The city is making a section of the city that was a nice little town into a concrete jungle and strangling the population that lives there.
The neighborhood is ruined…..they keep saying it’s a good thing and affordable, nothing about this is good or affordable?!?!?!?! Paying 2 grand to live in a shoe box with no parking…….
What an ugly monstrosity! Not enough parking. Another target for the high school kids. Roxborough doesn’t need another ugly, overpriced development.
For once, I think this is good. That slummy strip mall needs to go. However, 100 units with 40 parking spaces is ridiculous!! We all know that most units will have 2 driving residents occupying them. This is the one one thing I’d fight tooth & nail if I were in 19128!!
I like the trees on the curb and green space on the roof.
That “slummy strip mall” served generations that lived there.
The only positive I see is that very ugly strip mall will be gone!
Too many units around that area. I live on Lemonte. These apartments are just aggravating to us. We can’t get in or out of our street as it is. More people more cars and no parking.
This is unbelievable! Parking should include at least one spot per unit. How many mature trees will be lost? These buildings lack any degree of architectural integrity. I have lived here for 25 years and see nothing positive about this.
This is unbelievable! How many mature trees will be lost? These buildings lack any degree of architectural integrity. I have lived here for 25 years and see nothing positive about this.
Won’t mention parking…..more transient tenants to improve our neighborhood? I don’t think so.
Forgot to mention that we do not need transient tenants in our neighborhood!
Between the high school and the Wawa, how many apartment units are we looking at? How many assigned parking spaces?
How many more apartments are needed on Ridge Ave between Fountain and Cinnamonson Sts??? There are currently 3 under construction and now another one. There is no more parking in the area now. I would love for these developers to drive around 7-8pm and find a parking spot. You don’t even want to go out at night because you won’t find a spot anywhere near your house.
I’m a Roxborough resident and I love it. We need more density, and less cars. Typically whiny complaints from NIMBYs in the comments. Cry more snowflakes.
Name-calling is not helpful, nor is the mono-chorus of density. How will our communities resolve the impact of these big-box apartments? So far, they are the only piece of TOD (Transit Oriented Development) that we see. Where is the transit? Where are the walkable amenities? What’s the resolution of maxed-out parking?
Well, there’s the Route 9 bus, the supermarket and shops are bit of a hike away, and maybe a local car service will suffice for some. But Roxborough is not Brooklyn or Queens where there’s a subway line within a few blocks and a bodega on every corner. Nor is it Toronto where new development was planned along with the transit and amenities to serve it.
Are the builders of these apartments thinking beyond their box?
ANY UPDATE ON THIS?
I am interested in leasing
Because of all of the apartments on the ridge and congestion and no parking I will be moving out of the city. I am sad but I believe in 5 years one will not recognize the area