A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has revealed that construction work is nearing completion at a three-story single-family rowhouse at 2028 Dorrance Street in West Passyunk, South Philadelphia. The structure, situated on the west site of the block between McKean Street and Snyder Avenue, rises from a 525-square-foot footprint and spans 1,529 square feet. The building will include a basement and a roof deck, which, given the structure’s prominence, will offer unobstructed views of the Center City skyline. Permits list Elle TY Woods and Godze Yilmaz as the owners, with the latter also listed as the contractor (as Godze Yilmaz Inc.).
The total cost of construction work is specified at $133,000, of which $100,000 is allocated for general construction, $14,000 for plumbing work, $10,000 for mechanical work, and $9,000 for electrical work.
2028 Dorrance Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
2028 Dorrance Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. December 2022
Philly YIMBY generally maintains an optimistic outlook on new development and seeks to find positives even in projects that may conventionally be considered as homely. However, even we are a bit at a loss for compliments for a structure such as the one that now stands at 2028 Dorrance Street. While its minimalist exterior, with a single rectangular aperture cut into its paneled off-white facade, does exude a certain modernist flair, the design is rather baffling, especially in comparison to the adjacent prewar townhouses. We can only wonder why the front facade, one of the only effective locations for provision of ample natural light in a standard Philadelphia rowhouse, has been almost entirely ignored by the designers in terms of provision of windows. While the bunker-like structure, with its unusually highly elevated ground level, may serve well in, say, a zombie apocalypse, we can hardly see much benefit to such a design approach otherwise.
However, even given its unusual appearance, we are happy to see a new building fill a formerly vacant lot, as it removes a glaring eyesore from the block and restores its architectural integrity.
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that is one ugly building
I am not sure I have ever seen such a combination of cheap materials and no imagination.
I doubt this ugly box will sell.
GROTESQUE!
Honestly, this would have be better left as an abandoned empty lot.
Why is this news? Or is this news reporting for what not to build? If so thats fun! if not this is sad on the behalf of philly yimby. Does yimby New YorK, Miami, Chicago & Boston report depressing homes built out of plastic/mud and reused motel 6 bathroom windows?
This building is a perfect argument for the City enforcing cornice lines. If the developer wasn’t intent on building the largest possible structure allowed on the site, they would have more money to spend on design and materials.