During a site visit in February, Philly YIMBY had observed that, after completion of building foundations, construction work appeared to stall at Bloc24, a five-story, eight-unit residential building at 613 South 24th Street (alternately known as 613-19 South 24th Street) in Graduate Hospital, South Philadelphia. In our most recent visit eleven months later, we found the site in effectively the same condition, with no evidence of further work having been carried out since that time. Designed by Moto Designshop, the structure will feature elevator service, a fresh food market at the ground floor, and an expansive roof deck that will span most of the rooftop and offer dramatic views of the nearby Center City skyline. Permits list 617 South 24th St LLC as the owner and Morgan Plecenik as the contractor, and specify a construction cost of $1.5 million.
As seen in our photos, the condition of the development, situated on the east side of the block between South and Bainbridge streets, has remained virtually unchanged over the course of the year, except for weather-induced fraying on the construction wrap on a party wall at the adjacent building, and, of course, the absence of snow at the foundation pit (which we just may see again in the coming winter months).
Bloc24 at 613 South 24th Street. Looking northwest. Credit: Google Maps
613 South 24th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
613 South 24th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
613 South 24th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
613 South 24th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
The design is one of the most original that the Graduate Hospital neighborhood has seen yet. Bold yet graceful, concave and convex curves at the corner and the sweeping street-facing cantilever juxtapose dynamically against the stark rectilinear windows, some narrow and others wide, some deep-set and others projecting outward. Narrow windows nestle within the narrow reveal at the side of the cantilever, adding further intrigue to the structure. The sophisticated design busts with energy yet remains grounded in historic context by utilizing an exterior of red brick, which is made further appealing via textured articulation and strips of perforated patterns.
Rendering of Bloc24 at 613 South 24th Street. Credit: Moto Designshop
613 South 24th Street, prior to demolition. Plan dated April 17, 2019. Credit: Moto Designshop via the City of Philadelphia
Bloc24 at 613 South 24th Street. Plan dated April 17, 2019. Credit: Moto Designshop via the City of Philadelphia
Bloc24 at 613 South 24th Street. Plan dated April 17, 2019. Credit: Moto Designshop via the City of Philadelphia
Bloc24 at 613 South 24th Street. Building elevation dated April 17, 2019. Credit: Moto Designshop via the City of Philadelphia
Bloc24 at 613 South 24th Street. Building elevation dated April 17, 2019. Credit: Moto Designshop via the City of Philadelphia
Bloc24 at 613 South 24th Street. Building elevation dated April 17, 2019. Credit: Moto Designshop via the City of Philadelphia
Bloc24 is a promising development that will add both contemporary yet context-respectful pizzazz and much-needed housing stock to the area. We hope to see a resumption of construction work at the site in the near future.
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Why was the project stalled? Is this a lawsuit filed by an aggrieved party?