Renderings have been revealed for a mixed-use development at 6808-16 Ridge Avenue in Roxborough, Northwest Philadelphia. Designed by Ingram Sageser Architects, the building will rise five stories tall and will feature commercial space on the ground floor and 80 apartments above. The project will span 77,780 square feet and include parking for 24 cars and 27 bicycles.
Rendering of 6808 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Ingram/Sageser.
The new building will feature a simple and practical exterior, much like many other projects popping up along the corridor. Brick will cover the majority of the front facade, on the upper floors, while cast stone will be situated on the ground floor and at the commercial space. The left side of the building (the eastern portion of the structure) will see faux-stonework, with an arch over the drive aisle as well atop the fifth floor. Many other buildings feature similar use of stone as a reference to the Northwest Philadelphia architectural aesthetic.
A green roof will sit atop the structure, which is a definite perk of its design. Unfortunately, with the included parking space, a drive aisle will cuts through the building’s front facade and creates a curb cut on the sidewalk, inconveniencing the pedestrian experience. Gray ventilation grates will be located under each window, and while likely something that makes the project more economical, does not make for an appealing look for a building.
6808-16 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Google.
The new structure will replace a pair of red-brick twin homes and a bit of greenery to the buildings’ west. The structures appear to have been converted to commercial use, and have a concrete driveway that harms the pedestrian experience. The buildings are not unsightly, but also not an entirely efficient use of property on such a rapidly developing commercial corridor.
Rendering of 6808 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Ingram/Sageser.
The building’s location makes the presence of such high density and commercial space make all the more sense. Just to the east, a walk down Parker Avenue brings one to the Ivy Ridge Regional Rail Station, with attractions such as Kelly Park along the way. The commercial space on the ground floor will hopefully attract an interesting tenant that will be able to add life and vibrancy to this stretch of Ridge Avenue. The 80 residential units will provide quite a large customer base for this business and others in the area.
Rendering of 6808 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Ingram/Sageser.
No completion date is known for the project at this time, though, if permits are issued soon, connstruction may be finished by 2023 or 2024.
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Have permits been issued for the his building and is compounding his a by right design?
Have permits been issued for this building and is this a by-right design?
Once again, not missing that brick building one bit and the new design seems appropriate, BUT where is the parking for the 56 apartments that don’t win the “parking spot” lottery?? They will be parking in the Shoprite parking lot and that is going to be the same problem with the apartments next to the Acme. When will Phila. ever wise up?? (it will be way too late)
That artist’s rendering looks nothing like the actual area. There are no spacious, wide sidewalks to leisurely stroll on. I avoid walking on Ridge because you need eyes in the back of your head in case a car is making a crazy move to get around the slow moving traffic that occurs now because of the proliferation of these multi-unit buildings. I love e how all these developers talk about their green spaces and how they think so many residents will be riding their bikes to work. In the real world, there are very few bikes so where will all their cars go? I have a friend with a business in the area who says it’s already a big problem with cars owned by residents from existing new developments. Anyone contemplating a move there should talk to some local residents first.
Confident investors build knowing full well it will sell out. No
The 3D or ‘Birdseye view’ is not even close on its scale reference; the five stories versus the 3 story building next door is quite misleading and should be fixed. Yet another building on the Ridge that unfortunately isn’t designed to support this density…especially with the horrendous parking ratios that have been established as ‘OK’. I certainly wouldn’t bike down Ridge, it is not safe with cars or the amount of patches and roadwork. There are more bikes now on the sidewalk, which isn’t safe for pedestrians. This corridor has become a ‘no go zone’ for us and our kids…we use to walk here often, now it is quite a nerve racking experience.