A new residential project has been approved at 5642 Heiskell Street in Germantown, Philadelphia, where permits have been issued for the construction of a two-story attached structure. The development will introduce a single-family dwelling on a vacant lot within an established rowhouse block. The project is being developed by Civetta Property Group LLC, with designs prepared by Moto Designshop and Spruce Builders LLC listed as the contractor.
Permit records describe the building as a single-family residence with a total construction area of 1,437 square feet. The structure will rise two stories above grade and include a basement level, and will be constructed using Type V-B wood-frame construction.
5642 Heiskell Street Map via Moto Designshop
Zoning permits confirm that the project is located within an RSA-5 zoning district and complies with dimensional requirements outlined in the approved plans, including a proposed building height of approximately 26 feet 3.5 inches, which remains below the 38-foot maximum allowed. The site measures approximately 892 square feet, with a building footprint of 497 square feet, resulting in a lot coverage of roughly 52 percent. A rear yard depth of 22 feet 7 inches is provided, exceeding the minimum requirement.
5642 Heiskell Street Plan via Moto Designshop
Architectural drawings depict a straightforward attached form aligned with the existing street wall, with the building face set at the property line. The front elevation shows a masonry façade with vertically aligned window openings and a raised entry accessed by a short run of steps. Subtle façade detailing, including shallow pilaster projections, is incorporated into the street-facing elevation. The structure is capped by a flat roof and parapet, consistent with surrounding rowhouse forms.
5642 Heiskell Street via Moto Designshop
The project occupies a narrow infill parcel between an existing two-story structure and another vacant lot, continuing the established rhythm of attached residential buildings along Heiskell Street. By introducing a single-family dwelling on previously undeveloped land, the proposal contributes to incremental residential infill within the Germantown neighborhood.
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5642 Heiskell Street is one of perhaps a half dozen Civetta Property Group LLC developed, Moto Designshop designed, modest sized (1,200-1,400 square feet), modest cost (~ $125,000), two story homes recently constructed in Northwest Philadelphia. Built on long vacant lots (e.g., 111 E. Springer St., 5619 Heiskell St., 4957 Sheldon St.), they provide much needed infill housing.
In addition to restoring density on blocks that have been hurt by vacancy and demolition, these well designed, reasonably priced homes alleviate the local, regional, and national housing shortage. Philadelphia has infrastructure sufficient for its 1950 population of 2.1 million, 500,000 more than the current 1.6 million. If Civetta were to scale up 100-fold, it still wouldn’t be enough to satisfy demand. But it would help.
Well said, Craig. Springer St. is special.