Permits have been issued for the mixed-use renovation and expansion at 2121 East Allegheny Avenue in Harrowgate. The existing two-story structure will be retrofitted to contain residential and commercial/industrial space, while a three-story addition will hold additional residential space. Designed by Woodcock Design, the building will hold 68 residential units. Zoning permits indicate that there will be 22 parking spaces included with the project.
2121 East Allegheny Avenue. Credit: Woodcock Design.
Once completed, the building will retain most of the structure’s original features, albeit in a modernized form. The fully brick exterior will be paired with new industrial-styled windows, which will allow lots of natural light to reach interiors and will also create a more visually appearing design from the outside. New plantings and garden space will be brought to the site, which will help add greenery to the surrounding neighborhood.
2121 East Allegheny Avenue. Credit: Google.
As it stands today, the building is not in mint condition. None of the greenery planned in the project is present on site (save for some weeds growing in around the edges) and many windows are missing or not in the attractive form that they will be post-renovation. Nevertheless, the site’s potential is obvious with its large scale, intriguing brick, and good location. Transit is found in close proximity to the property, with the Market-Frankford Line just blocks away, while a variety if other destinations can be accessed on foot or bike.
2121 East Allegheny Avenue. Credit: Google.
Over the years, Harrowgate has continued to attract development interest in some fairly large forms, and has been a magnet for Philadelphia’s leading adaptive reuse scene. Within a variety of industrial renovations, hundreds of units have been added to the neighborhood in addition to artist and office space that is making the area a growing hotspot for young professionals. As these projects are realized, it is likely that the other underdeveloped and vacant properties in the area can fill back in with more mixed-use density.
No completion date is known for the project at this time.
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It’s a shame the Freeze-Pak is going in on the other side of the tracks. 10-20 years ago that would have been a huge win. In just a few years it will be extremely out of place.
What noone is mentioning is that this location is about 3 blocks from Kensington and Allegheny, the worst drug corner in the country.
Just saw today the renovation has started and looks like its already striped down to the bones. I wonder if they will ever start the one across the street that was mentioned a year or two ago.