Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has observed significant construction progress at a four-story mixed-use development at 1701 Fairmount Avenue in Fairmount, Lower North Philadelphia. The property is located at the northwest corner of Fairmount Avenue and North 17th Street. Designed by Marshall Sabatini and developed by MM Partners, the project will feature 24 apartments, two commercial spaces, and roof decks. Permits list Tester Construction Group as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $5.3 million.
1701 Fairmount Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. March 2023
1701 Fairmount Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. March 2023
1701 Fairmount Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. March 2023
1701 Fairmount Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. March 2023
1701 Fairmount Avenue. Credit: Google Maps
1701 Fairmount Avenue. Looking northwest. Credit: Google Maps
1701 Fairmount Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2022
The site was previously home to Stone’s, a beer distributor. Demolition permits listed RLC Construction Inc. as the contractor and specified a work cost of $12,000. According to on-site signage, the retailer will return to the new building next year. At the moment, the wood-framed portion of the structure stands nearly topped out, and completion early next year is likely.
The project is designed in an attractive Neo-Industrial style and is reminiscent of a prewar factory loft, boasting an exterior of red brick and large paneled windows. Off-white lintels and an understated cornice add nuance and sophistication to the design, while retail space at the ground floor will create a lively streetscape and contribute to the commercial corridor.
Our only gripe is that the site is clearly suited for a much larger development, given its ample size, location on a wide avenue, street frontage on three sides (Fairmount Avenue to the south, 17th Street to the east, and Olive Street to the north), and transit adjacency (the Fairmount Station on the Broad Street Line sits three blocks to the east). Unfortunately, it appears that the project will be build out to the maximum allowable extent under current zoning. Lest we squander valuable, centrally-located urban space on clearly underbuilt developments, the planning department must significantly upzone centrally-situated neighborhoods and transit-adjacent corridors.
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Definitely an improvement to the look of that corner. Stone’s was a good place!
Stones is returning upon completion
How high the rent will be ?
Technically that’s in Francisville, not Fairmount, FYI.
Shhh! Anything north of Center City and not Northern Liberties is “Fairmount” now.