A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed that construction is complete at two adjacent two-story rowhouses at 1914 North 8th Street and 1916 North 8th Street near Temple University in North Philadelphia. The buildings are situated on the west side of the block between West Berks and West Norris streets, three short blocks east of the university campus and two short blocks east of the Temple University regional rail station. Permits list the Philadelphia Housing Authority as the owner, John Hayes, Jr. as the design professional and Tester Construction Group as the contractor.
The total cost for construction is listed at $460,000, with $380,000 allocated toward general construction, $40,000 for plumbing work, and $20,000 apiece for electrical and mechanical work, although it is unclear whether the cost is indicated only for the building at 1914 North 8th Street or for both structures combines.
1914 North 8th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2022
1914 North 8th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2022
1914 North 8th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2022
Each of the structures rises 27 feet tall, a surprisingly underbuilt height for a site that allows for a 38-foot height maximum. As such, both stand noticeably lower than its prewar and recently-built neighbors alike. In turn, the high ground levels required the construction of massive front stoops poured in concrete, although the design somewhat makes up for this streetscape intrusion with a rather attractive facade of red brick and dark siding with matching black windows. The buildings also boast generous, roughly ten-foot-high ceilings.
As mentioned above, both buildings are quite underbuilt for such a desirable site, located within an under-five-minute walk to the university as well as the regional rail station, which allows for a short commute to Center City and University City. While we would like to see buildings with more residential units to fill the remaining vacant lots on the block, it is still pleasant to see new construction, with ample living space and tall ceilings, in the university-adjacent real estate market which, with worrying frequency, offers rather cramped conditions in new housing stock.
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Will PHA continue to own these properties?
Looks like something built in the Bronx in the 1990s.