A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has revealed that construction is complete at two adjacent four-story single-family dwellings at 1240 and 1242 North Leithgow Street in Olde Kensington. Both developments are situated on the west side of the block between West Girard and West Thompson streets. The pair shares a mirrored design and the same development team, which consists of HHPH LLC as the owner, Harman Deutsch Ohler Architecture as the architect, and Atlantic Developers as the contractor.
For 1240 North Leithgow Street, permits list a construction cost of $221,300, of which $178,300 is allocated toward general construction, $16,000 for plumbing work, $14,000 for electrical work, and $13,000 for mechanical work. For 1242 North Leithgow Street, permits specify a construction cost of $218,100, of which $175,100 is allocated toward general construction, $16,000 for plumbing work, $14,000 for electrical work, and $13,000 for mechanical work.
1240 Leithgow Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2022
1240 Leithgow Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2022
The buildings are situated on the west side of the block between West Girard Avenue and West Thompson Street. The project fronts onto a narrow, 30-foot-wide street with a 14-foot drive land and eight-foot-wide sidewalks. Despite its narrow dimensions, the block has seen a large volume of new development over the past few years. At almost 38 feet to the main roof, the new building pair is among the taller projects on the block, allowing their roof deck space enjoy splendid vistas of the Center City skyline.
Both buildings boast an astute Modernist design with floor-to-ceiling windows and crisp vertical mullions. Although understated, the design offers a breath of fresh air compared to the occasional hodge-podge exterior observed on certain new construction throughout the city.
1240 Leithgow Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2022
1240 Leithgow Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2022
1240 Leithgow Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2022
1240 Leithgow Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2022
1240 Leithgow Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2022
1240 Leithgow Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2022
At four stories, the single-family rowhouses are quite regal in scale. In fact, a floor plan in a listing for 1240 North Leithgow Street describes the building as five stories and dubiously includes a bedroom in the basement, though our on-site photos show no street-facing window well like the one that appears on the floor plan. Records indicate that the building was sold in May for $560,000.
Although increasingly built-out, the surrounding area still holds potential for future development in the form of vacant and otherwise underdeveloped sites. An increase in allowable density would not be out of place for this centrally-located area, which is situated just to the north of the Girard Avenue trolley.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Be the first to comment on "Construction Complete at 1240 and 1242 North Leithgow Street in Olde Kensington"