Six Residential Buildings Complete at 2141 through 2153 Cross Street in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia

As Philadelphia’s ongoing renaissance is generating new growth throughout centrally located neighborhoods, the development boom is spreading to adjacent communities that have long been neglected by real estate developers. A prime example of this phenomenon may be found at the 2100 block of Cross Street in the Point Breeze neighborhood in South Philadelphia. In the past few years, the narrow and seemingly nondescript street, with a roadway measuring just around 14 feet wide, has seen a major influx of new development, both in the form of ground-up construction and vertical additions to existing buildings. YIMBY’s recent site visit has revealed that, over the course of the past year or so, construction has been completed at a back-to-back series of structures spanning from 2141 through 2153 Cross Street, undertaken by two different sets of developers and contractors. The buildings offer a total of eight residential units as well as retail space.

The developments are located on the north side of the block between South 21st Street and the oblique intersection of South 22nd Street and Point Breeze Avenue, the latter boasting the neighborhood’s primary commercial corridor.

2149 Cross Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. January 2022

At 2141-43 Cross Street, the two-story Shining Light Church, apparently comprised of two joined prewar rowhouses, was renovated into two single-family residential buildings, at 2141 and 2143 Cross Street, with spruced-up facades replacing the former stucco exterior and an added third floor. Permits list LK Builders LLC as both the owner and the contractor, and a construction cost of $150,000.

Next door to the west, at 2145, 2147, and 2149 Cross Street, stand three single-family buildings also owned and recently constructed by LK Builders. Each one replaces a vacant lot and rises three stories tall. The buildings at 2145 and 2147 Cross Street each span a footprint of 525 square feet and holds 1,650 square feet of interior space, while the slightly smaller structure at 2149 Cross Street rises from a 469-square-foot footprint and holds 1,478 square feet at the interior. Each of the three properties lists a total construction cost of $304,000, of which the general construction cost runs at $245,000, with costs for plumbing work specified at $25,000, electrical at $18,000, and mechanical at $16,000.

2149 Cross Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. January 2022

The final development stands at the block end at 2151-53 Cross Street, replacing an angled vacant site at the intersection of Cross and 22nd Streets and Point Breeze Avenue. In contrast to the previous entries, the structure is a three-story mixed-use building, with commercial space on the ground floor and three residences above. The structure offers a total of 3,618 square feet of interior space and offers full sprinkling. Permits list Knossos Development LLC as the owner and Emmanouil Lagoudakis as the contractor, and a total construction cost of $300,000.

2149 Cross Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. January 2022

The sales for the properties are listed as follows: 2141 Cross Street (three bedrooms, three bathrooms) was sold in May 2021 for $435,000; 2143 Cross Street (three bedrooms, three bathrooms) was sold in July 2021 for $430,000; 2145 Cross Street (three bedrooms, three bathrooms) was sold in September 2021 for $489,000; 2147 Cross Street (three bedrooms, three bathrooms) was sold in October 2021 for $477,500; 2149 Cross Street (three bedrooms, three bathrooms) is currently still on the market for $478,000.

2147 Cross Street via Zillow

2147 Cross Street via Zillow

2147 Cross Street via Zillow

2147 Cross Street via Zillow

2147 Cross Street via Zillow

2147 Cross Street via Zillow

2147 Cross Street via Zillow

2147 Cross Street via Zillow

These nearly half-million price tags present a significant turnaround for an area that appeared written off by developers for decades. This turn of events is positive not only for prospective buyers, but also for property owners in the long-distressed community, who see an increase in value of their own housing, and any other local resident who, instead of passing by an eyesore vacant lot, now resides in a more cohesive, built-out, vibrant community.

Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail

Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews