Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has observed that construction work is nearing completion at a three-story, three-unit apartment building at 1810 Federal Street in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia. The development is situated on the south side of the block between South 18th and South 19th streets. Designed by Designblendz, the structure will span 3,352 square feet. Permits list Michael Treacy as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $450,000.
1810 Federal Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2023
1810 Federal Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2023
The building measures 16 feet wide and extends 58 feet long, leaving space for a 16-foot-deep rear yard. The structure rises 38 feet to the main roof, maxing out the (rather paltry) allowable height at the site. The ground floor is raised four feet above the sidewalk, emulating Philadelphia’s celebrated rowhouse vernacular, and will be accessed via a porch, which is yet to be constructed. The front facade will be clad in brick; the upper-floors cantilever, which will be clad in metal panels, is rather typical for the city’s new rowhouse construction, although its blue and gray color palette promises to add a somewhat unique touch.
At the moment, construction work appears largely missing, aside from a few notable elements such as an absence of a stoop to reach the high-raised front entrance.
Floor heights measure 11 feet from slab to slab, likely resulting in generous ten- or ten-plus ceiling heights. Each unit will span an entire floor, and the ground-level apartment will expand to the basement. Balconies at the second and third floors will overlook the rear yard.
Although ahistorical, the white brick at the facade is somewhat contextual with the prewar rowhouses next door, while the black paneling at the cantilevered section adds contrast to the composition.
1810 Federal Street, prior to demolition. Credit: Google Maps
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From the proud 19th. century “City of Homes” to the 21st. century “city of renters”, all dwelling in row house sized apartment buildings of debatable design.
The project sounds exquisite and what I can see looks good. The only questions that come to mind are what will it cost and, if it’s within the range of my federal retirement, how soon can I move in?