Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has observed that renovation work is underway at a four-story prewar rowhouse at 140 North 2nd Street in Old City. The project is situated on the west side of the block between Arch Street and Quarry Street, almost directly across from historic Elfreth’s Alley. Designed by Moto Designshop, the renovated building will span 4,523 square feet and feature five transient residential units. Permits list Michael Treacy as the contractor and specify a renovation cost of $1 million.
The structure’s primary, street-facing component is being renovated; in turn, smaller one- and two-story portions in the rear are being demolished and replaced with a three-story extension, which will reduce the open space at the property to a narrow courtyard and a small light well.
140 North 2nd Street. Credit: Google.
140 North 2nd Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2023
140 North 2nd Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2023
140 North 2nd Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. July 2023
140 North 2nd Street building diagrams from former zoning permit.
At the moment, facade renovation work appears to be in progress. Documentation submitted to the planning department indicates that no substantial changes will be made to the existing facade; as such, a facelift for the derelict and crumbling brick is quite necessary. In all, 140 North 2nd Street is a positive development that renovates a historic property in the center of the city and adds density in a central, transit-accessible location, without notably degrading the structure’s historic integrity.
140 North 2nd Street is situated in the northeast corner of Old City, two short blocks south of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and two long blocks west of the Delaware River waterfront. The 2nd Street Station on the Market-Frankford subway line is situated within a five-minute walk to the south, and the route 5, 48, and 57 buses service the immediate vicinity.
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The braced up building is 146 N 2nd. The street view photo is 140.
To be clear, the subject building in the PhillyYimby item, 140 N 2nd St, is NOT the one with the extensive temporary bracing at the corner of 2nd & Quarry St (200 Quarry St aka 146 N 2nd), even though it is shown in most of the photos here. 140 N 2nd St is rather the 4th building south from that corner
This building has been sitting like this for a few years now
It only looks like a 3 story building to me…But happy to see it will be saved and renovated.