A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has discovered that construction work has not yet started at a four-story, ten-unit development proposed at 6552 Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy, Northwest Philadelphia, although permits had been issued in August 2020. The project will rise on a mid-block site on the west side of the block between Good and West Hotter streets. Designed by Designblendz, the structure will span 17,062 square feet and will feature ground floor commercial space and a roof deck. Permits list Designblendz Home Solutions as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $1.8 million.
The development will rise 55 feet high, a height that surpasses the local 38-foot limit and thus requires a variance. The astute design will feature bay windows and a mansard roof with a dormer, which will conceal the roof deck behind it when looking from the street. The structure will feature four bi-level units, and several apartments appear to sport double-height ceilings.
6552 Germantown Avenue. Zoning permit submission. Credit: Designblendz via the City of Philadelphia
6552 Germantown Avenue. Site plan. Credit: Designblendz via the City of Philadelphia
6552 Germantown Avenue. Building section. Credit: Designblendz via the City of Philadelphia
6552 Germantown Avenue. Zoning table. Credit: Designblendz via the City of Philadelphia
The project replaces two mixed-use rowhouses, which have since been demolished, and a parking lot.
6554 Germantown Avenue, prior to demolition. Looking west. Credit: Google
Regrettably, our latest site visit has revealed no sign of construction activity at the location, with the lot sitting vacant at the moment.
6552 Germantown Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. November 2022
6552 Germantown Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. November 2022
6552 Germantown Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. November 2022
6552 Germantown Avenue is situated within a ten-minute walk of the Carpenter Station on the Chestnut Hill West regional rail line and a 22-minute walk of the Chestnut Hill East rail line. The 23 bus runs along Germantown Avenue.
We look forward to a proximate start of construction on the development, as it will fill a vacant lot with an apparently attractive structure with spacious apartments and will contribute to the Germantown Avenue retail corridor.
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Happy to see those “unsalvageable” three storefronts gone. The new construction looks attractive and hopefully, they will provide some parking other than bicycle hitches!
Or neighbors dispute and Councilmantic prerogative the holdup?
Does anyone know what happened to v the Comer Paper construction that was set for 6200 Germantown ave last year?