Construction Underway at 231 West Johnson Street in Morton, Northwest Philadelphia

A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed that construction is underway at a five-story, 32-unit multi-family structure at 231 West Johnson Street in Morton, Northwest Philadelphia. The 35,519-square-foot structure will hold 32 residential units and 19 parking spaces. Permits list Scott Woodruff as the architect and Venco Builders Inc. as the contractor. Construction costs are specified at $4.97 million.

231 West Johnson Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2022

231 West Johnson Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2022

231 West Johnson Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2022

The development is situated on the northwest side of the block between Cherokee and Greene streets, about two blocks east of the Upsal regional rail station. The new building replaces a large rear yard lawn that was situated behind a stately, albeit somewhat dilapidated, three-story prewar building, where nine additional units will be situated. A similar rear addition was constructed in recent years behind the regal, chateau-like prewar building next door, which is currently known as Nugent Senior Apartments. Together, the buildings largely obscure the new structure from view from the street.

YIMBY last reported on the project in December 2020, shortly after permits were filed for the development. Since that time, the wood-framed structure (constructed with a first floor of type IB and floors two through five of type VA) has been largely assembled.

The new building at 231 West Johnson Street is a fine example of development that adds significant density and residential stock in transit-adjacent areas on the city’s fringes without compromising the integrity of existing historic structures in the vicinity. We wish to see more such development take place throughout the city.

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