A recent visit by Philly YIMBY has observed that construction has still not started at a six-story, 453-unit apartment building proposed at 2621-67 Frankford Avenue in East Kensington, though permits had been issued last year. Designed by Harman Deutsch Ohler Architecture (also known as HDO Architecture), with Turn Key Realty LLC as the contractor, the massive development will span 412,703 square feet and cost at $72 million to construct.
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2023
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2023
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2023
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Rendering credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Rendering credit: HDO Architecture
The project will span a trapezoidal 90,332-square-foot lot set between Frankford Avenue to the northwest and Amber Street to the southeast. The building will rise from a 66,027-square-foot footprint that will span the entire site aside from three parallel courtyards carved into the center of the structure and an outdoor space to the east of the structure.
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
Landscaped courtyards will be connected via single-story open-air underpasses to the street, two to Amber Street and one to Frankford Avenue (the latter will also include an entrance ramp to the 120-car underground garage). The private courtyards will offer outdoor lounging and entertainment space to the residents that will include an outdoor theater (note that renderings depict the 2012 hit film Life of Pi being shown to the audience).
The wedge-shaped side yard will house a short private promenade, a dog run, and an outdoor pool. Private patios will overlook the yard.
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
2621-67 Frankford Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture
Unfortunately, the fenced-off lot looks much the same as it did during our last visit in September, with no signs of construction in evidence. We hope to see ground work start in the near future, as 2621-67 Frankford Avenue promises to become a neighborhood-transformative development that will bring life to a massive unused lot and supply hundreds of much-needed residential units.
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Would be nice to know the reason for delaying construction.
If that’s not called a game-changer, I don’t know is. This development will spur so much more around it and will be huge in closing the gap between…well you know.
There has been some minor activity with the 1 story building … folks coming in and out so hopefully that’s a start to bigger movement and activity. And yes what a game changer this will be!