A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has noted considerable construction progress at a four-story, 42-unit residential project at 1408-18 East Oxford Street in Fishtown. The new development rises on the northwest corner of Oxford and Belgrade streets. Designed by Ambit Architecture, the building will span 41,211 square feet and feature 32 parking spaces and full sprinkling. Renderings indicate that the project will be called the National Metal Crafters Building, as seen from a large marquee at the parapet and a smaller sign at the street level. Permits list Level Up Development as the contractor and a construction cost of $5.25 million.
1408-18 East Oxford Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
1408-18 East Oxford Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
When we last stopped by the site in March, only the steel-framed ground level and the CMU-clad stair core has been assembled. Since that time, construction has progressed rather rapidly. At the moment, the structure stands topped-out and the wood-framed upper floors have been assembled. Curtain wall work is currently underway, with much of the exterior already sporting a finished facade. The dark brick, punctured by tall, narrow windows, makes for one of the finest, most context-appropriate exteriors seen in any currently in-progress projects anywhere in the city. Although the brick is of a more conventional color than what is shown in the renderings, it arguably makes for a better fit for its surroundings.
1408-18 East Oxford Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
1408-18 East Oxford Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
1408-18 East Oxford Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
1408-18 East Oxford Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
Although the new building at 1408-18 East Oxford Street makes for a suitable fit for its prewar rowhouse surroundings, the project is arguably quite underbuilt for its transit-adjacent location near the retail core of one of Philadelphia’s most in-demand neighborhoods. The development rises half a block east of Frankford Avenue and a block and a half east of Front Street, two of the area’s primary commercial and entertainment thoroughfares. The Berks and Girard stations on the Market-Frankford Line, as well as the route 15 trolley on Girard Avenue, are sited within an under-ten-minute walk, as are a number of bus lines. Northern Liberties, Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware River, and the Rivers Casino are situated within a ten- to 15-minute walk to the south.
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Handsome buildings!