Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has observed no construction activity at the site of an eight-unit mixed-use building at 22 East Durham Street in Mount Airy, Northwest Philadelphia. The structure will rise five stories tall, with office space situated on the ground floor. A roof decks will be situated atop the building. In total, the structure will hold 2,400 square feet of interior space and cost an estimated $1.2 million to build. Joseph Donahue is listed as the design professional, with PRA Construction Management Services LLC specified as the contractor.
Aerial view of 22 East Durham Street. Credit: Google.
22 East Durham Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. November 2024
22 East Durham Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. November 2024
22 East Durham Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. November 2024
22 East Durham Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. November 2024
Current view of 22 East Durham Street. Credit: Google.
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Random observations:
1. 2,400 square feet of interior space is not compatible with an eight-unit/ground floor office, five-story, $1.2 million building.
2. 7119 Germantown Ave., displayed in the third and fourth photos, is near 22 East Durham Street but is not 22 East Durham Street.
3. The last photo is a Google Maps view from October 2019.
4. The August 2021 issued building permit has long since expired.
5. Demand for office space is near zero.
6. It would be great if Ewing Cole architect Joseph Donahue was the design professional. He participated in the magnificent recent addition and expansion of University of Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill River boathouse and newly renovated Squash Center.
Deeper observations:
Yes, the photos of the Germantown Ave. property are irrelevant, but a current permit seems to be in place for this project which was first permitted in 2021. Spend a few hours reading the documents on Atlas for hints of what’s been going on. Since 2018 there’s been a retaining wall violation extending down the block and this property is deeply involved in it. Like so many other retaining wall issues in this city, it’s probably been quietly resolved.
Thank you Robert for an “in-the-know” perspective.