A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed that construction work has not yet begun at the six-story, 50-unit building proposed at 5521 Wayne Avenue in Germantown, Northwest Philadelphia, even though permits were filed around half a year ago. Designed by CANNOdesign, the structure will span 41,674 square feet and will include ground-level commercial space, elevator service, a green roof, and full sprinkling. Permits list Tester Construction Group as the contractor and a construction cost of $6.5 million.
Aerial view of 5521 Wayne Avenue. Credit: Google.
The development will offer nine units that will use the mixed-income housing bonus; together with the green roof, these features have allowed for an eight-unit boost to the development’s apartment count.
The property is situated on the northeast side of the block between West Schoolhouse Lane and Maplewood Avenue, on the eastern fringe of the Chelten Avenue commercial corridor and within a roughly two-block walk of the Chelten regional rail station. This central, transit-accessible location easily justifies the incoming density, while the new retail space will enhance the adjacent commercial corridor.
5521 Wayne Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2022
5521 Wayne Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2022
5521 Wayne Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2022
5521 Wayne Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2022
5521 Wayne Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2022
Current view of 5521 Wayne Avenue. Credit: Google.
Our recent site visit has revealed no signs whatsoever of construction, demolition, or any other sort of prep work. This is unfortunate, as the featureless, nearly-windowless structure has been an eyesore in the otherwise architecturally refined neighborhood, and is doubly so in its dilapidated condition. We wish to see a proximate start of work on this promising development that will significantly improve the pedestrian presence in the storied, charming historic neighborhood.
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Can they please add sidewalk trees to the design
What is the holdup of construction even though they received permits six months ago?
Where is the parking?