Permits have been issued for the construction of a new mixed-use development at 4049 West Girard Avenue in East Parkside, West Philadelphia. Upon completion, the new building will rise four stories, while also having a basement. There will be a commercial space located at the ground floor, with five residential units on upper floors (each being an apartment). In total the structure will span 5,544 square feet of space, while costing an estimated $554,400 to construct according to the permit.
Unfortunately, no renderings or diagrams are available for the project, although some minor assumptions can be made as to its appearance. The building’s four-floor height means it will stand slightly higher than the surrounding three-story structures, though this should not be a problem. Hopefully, the development will incorporate a design inspired by the historic and beautiful architecture of the neighborhood’s surroundings, as most other projects in East Parkside do. If done correctly, the new development will not act only as a filler to bridge the gap between existing structures, but could further add to the design styles found throughout the area.
4049 West Girard Avenue. Credit: Google.
The structure will rise on the site of a current vacant lot, as almost all other developments in the neighborhood. This particular lot has seen beautification efforts, with a white fence separating the trimmed grass lawn from the street, while trees are planted to provide shade. While this certainly does make the property more visually appealing, it does not mask the poor land use, and it will be a major positive to see holes in the neighborhood continue to fill in.
Overall, the project will be a major win for the site. The commercial space at the ground floor can strengthen Girard Avenue through West Philadelphia as a standout commercial corridor, while simultaneously providing East Parkside with a commercial center of its own. Additionally, the density found above will make plenty of sense on this transit-served Avenue within easy walking distance of Fairmount Park, which will likely be a draw for future building residents.
No completion date is known for the project at this time.
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I am not sure there are many neighborhoods in the city with greater potential than this one. The area holds some of the most elegant housing in Philadelphia. I hope the early movers (project such as this one) invest for the long run and go that extra mile to create quality infill.