A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has noted that construction continues to progress at The Vale, a five-story, 36-unit mixed-use development at 3515 Midvale Avenue in East Falls, Northwest Philadelphia, with the structure having been topped out since our last visit in May. Designed by Bright Common and developed by the Argo Property Group, with Tester Construction as the contractor, the structure rises from a 13,050-square-foot footprint and spans 40,500 square feet, with 36 apartments and three commercial spaces on the ground floor, measuring 2,800, 1,200, and 565 square feet, respectively. The development will also feature a roof deck and 12 bicycle spaces. Permits list construction costs at $5.6 million.
Additional features will include video entry access, private tenant space at the roof, tenant storage, and an online portal.
3515 Midvale Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. October 2022
3515 Midvale Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. October 2022
When we last visited the site in May, only the CMU core has been topped out; the main wood-frame structure rose four stories, and exterior sheathing extended to the third floor. By now, the structure rises to its full height, roughly matching the height of the steep hill behind, and sheathing and window fitting have been completed. Although facade installation has not yet begun, the shape of ground-level apertures as well as partially mounted metal bracket indicate that the development will maintain the angled facade line above the first floor, one of the building’s two defining architectural gestures (the other one being the staggered windows).
The development makes for a significant improvement to a site previously occupied by a parking lot and a three-story garage. The building’s crisp, modern aesthetic and cheery white exterior will brighten up the streetscape, while the ground-level retail component will energize the pedestrian experience.
3515 Midvale Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. October 2022
3515 Midvale Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. October 2022
3515 Midvale Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. October 2022
3515 Midvale Avenue
3515 Midvale Avenue
3515 Midvale Avenue
The Vale at 3515 Midvale Avenue further reinforces the rapidly growing, formerly auto-oriented Roxborough community, as developers increasingly tap into its quaint character, picturesque geography, and transit accessibility (the East Falls Station on the regional rail is situated at the south end of the block, within a five-minute walk of The Vale). Another similarly-scaled development is also underway in close proximity at 3503 Midvale Avenue.
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
How far is it to walk to SEPTA buses and regional rail? That’s what customers want to know before they decide which building to rent apt.
I believe the answers are out the front door and across the street, respectively