Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has confirmed that construction work is complete at a six-story, 48-unit mixed-use building at 817-21 North 3rd Street in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia. Designed by Atrium Design Group, the building will feature a 4,855-square-foot commercial space at the ground floor and a roof deck, which will offer dramatic skyline views with its prominent height. The development will provide basement parking for 36 cars, as well as space for 20 bicycles. Permits specify Atrium LLC as the contractor. Construction costs are specified at $10.5 million.
817-21 North 3rd Street. Zoning submission. Credit: Atrium Design Group via the City of Philadelphia
817 North 3rd Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. January 2025
817 North 3rd Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. January 2025
The development replaces a single-story warehouse-style structure formerly associated with Ortlieb’s Brewery. The exterior, composed of beige brick and adorned with rectangular and lozenge green tile accents, was rather attractive, yet paled in comparison with the undulating glassy facade trimmed with black mullions, which was revealed in a rendering that dates back to 2019. In 2017, A2Z Development purchased the site with the intention of developing the property.
The new building features a striking contemporary facade comprised of a cheery beige exterior with subtle vertical fluting. Staggered windows create a dynamic appearance and convey a certain sense of movement, while their deep insets lend a sense of depth. Vertical bands of inset balconies visually break the building mass down into smaller, more human-scaled portions. A dramatic overhanging cornice, punctuated with distinctive rectangular apertures, crowns the structure and adds a further flair and visual drama, especially as it wraps around the sides and drops down nearly to street level. The ground level, while featuring ample glass frontage, also includes alternating slanted stone panels that lend a sense of both solidity and variety. In all, the design makes for a rather attractive addition to the cityscape.
817 North 3rd Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. January 2025
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Ahh…money definitely makes money. All one needs is a few or ten million dollars. This building will pay itself off within 8-10 years and then besides the equity aspect of it, it’ll bring in anywhere from 1.2 – 1.5 mil annually to thr owners. Must be nice!
817 North 3rd Street is a stunning addition to Northern Liberties, replacing surface parking and a three garage door fronted one story structure.
At least part of the commercial space is leased to Little City Montessori. According to their website, Little City “offers children two to six years old an integrated approach to Montessori education that enhances individualized exploration with structured physical activity.”
I was renovating parts of Philly in the 90’s, before “that was even a ‘thing’ “, anyways, I’ve been helping to finish off these types of bldg’s all over B’klyn, etc, the last 2+ decades, they do these type of projects times 100 & nonstop in nyc, plus tower crane projects nonstop too. That said, I could barely afford to live in the city I spent almost 3 decades helping too build. I’m originally from Lehigh & Aramingo, and living back here for the 1st time since 2003, I’m astonished as the ny-ification of Philly, the “Renaissance” was slow to happen, but it is very inspiring and GOOD to see!👍, Philly deserved a comeback, it’s still relatively affordable, besides, what was the alternative?, shrivel up and die?, in Greenpoint B’klyn where I used to live & work, I remember posters saying; “Greenpoint, not Dubai”, I get that, but philly is doing pretty good, it’s progress not perfection 🤔🤷😅👍☮️🌷