Permits have been issued for a mixed-use renovation and addition to an existing building at 7208-10 Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy, Northwest Philadelphia. Designed by Bright Common Architecture & Design, the project will see the existing three-story building receive a two-story overbuild, as well as an adjacent five-story addition at the rear. The renovated development will span 21,423 square feet of interior space and feature commercial space on the ground floor facing Germantown Avenue, as well as 19 rental apartments situated above. The development will include parking for seven bicycles. Construction costs are listed at $2.1 million.
Rendering of 7208-10 Germantown Avenue. Credit: Bright Common Architecture & Design.
The new rear addition will feature a very modern style clad in shingles in its entirety. Windows of varying sizes will be situated throughout the facade, including one with n attractive archway facing Nippon Street. Meanwhile, the existing building boasts a stunning stone exterior, and is a standout even in this neighborhood full of magnificent architecture. The old bank building boasts a slanted roof with a dormer window on the third floor. The symmetrical front face with its large entryway will be an ideal space for a unique commercial space. The building is a perfect preservation candidate, and this new project will effectively fulfill this wish by preserving the front portion of the structure in its current form, while adding more space in the rear section.
Current view of 7208-10 Germantown Avenue. Credit: Google.
Current view of 7208-10 Germantown Avenue. Credit: Google.
The site where the new addition will rise is certainly nothing special. The parcel is presently used as a small parking lot, with room for only a few cars at a time, making the space even less useful. Given its prime location just off of a major commercial corridor, added housing will provide a much more efficient and practical use of the land than a small surface lot.
The new development will be a great addition to the property. The five-story addition that will help increase density, while the renovation of the current building will ensure its preservation while also breathing in new life. The commercial space on the ground floor has much potential, and will help improve Mount Airy’s downtown core along Germantown Avenue, while the added residential density will help support local businesses.
Rendering of 7208-10 Germantown Avenue. Credit: Bright Common Architecture & Design.
Aerial view of 7208-10 Germantown Avenue. Credit: Google.
No completion date is known for the project at this time, though construction may be finished in late 2022 or 2023.
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Unfortunately the plank siding being used is terribly ugly and cheapens the historical nature of the building and neighborhood. It is like an invasive weed replacing the local beauty of stone and brick architecture. Development is good, yes, as is restoration, but it should be done with respect to history and community. Blindly cheering on all density-increasing projects will lead us to ugly neighborhoods built with cheap materials. The only win here is for the profiteer developers.