In March, Philly YIMBY reported that permits were issued for the construction of a six-story, 31-unit mixed-use development at 2112 North Front Street in Norris Square. Designed by DesignBlendz, the structure will span 27,519 square feet and feature commercial space at the ground floor and a green roof at the top. Permits list GRIT Construction as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $5.5 million. Our recent site visit has discovered that the low-rise commercial structure that formerly stood at the site has been demolished and that substantial excavation progress has been made at the site.
2112 North Front Street. Credit: Google.
2112 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2023
2112 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2023
2112 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. May 2023
The development is situated on the west side of the block between Diamond Street and West Susquehanna Avenue. The utilitarian, dull-looking structure that formerly stood at the site not only lacked any aesthetic merit, but also severely underutilized its prime, transit-accessible location, situated halfway between the Berks and York-Dauphin stations on the elevated Market-Frankford Line (two long blocks to the north and to the south of each station, respectively) and one short block east of Norris Square Park.
In turn, the replacement structure is perfectly suited for the site, as it provides brand new retail space along the commercial corridor, a significant number of housing units, and an aesthetic that appears at least vaguely inspired by the neighborhood’s prewar factory lofts (such as the nearby Harbison Dairy factory, recently renovated into residences), as evidenced by details such as cornice courses and large paneled windows. The 62-foot-tall building (to main roof; 66 feet to the parapet and around 72 feet to the top of the elevator bulkhead) will rise rather prominently above its surroundings, offering panoramic views from the top floors and the roof deck.
2112 North Front Street. Credit: Google.
2112 North Front Street. Credit: Design Blendz.
2112 North Front Street. Credit: Design Blendz.
2112 North Front Street. Credit: Design Blendz.
2112 North Front Street. Credit: Design Blendz.
The degree of construction progress accomplished at the site so rapidly after permit issue is promising, and we look forward to further progress at 2112 North Front Street.
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let’s hope the $5.5M construction costs includes a sump pump. And hey, GRIT Construction, nice particle board shoring.