A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has observed that construction has work is complete at a five-story, 40-unit mixed-use building at 4415 Chestnut Street in Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia. Designed by Wulff Architects and developed by Orens Brothers Real Estate, the building will include retail space as well as features such as elevator service, a green roof, full sprinkling, and 14 bicycle spaces. Permits list Orens Development Inc. as the owner and Orens Brothers Inc. as the general contractor. Construction is expected to cost $5.5 million.
4415 Chestnut Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2023
4415 Chestnut Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2023
The building stands on the north side of Chestnut Street on the block between North 44th Street and North 45th Street and replaces a low-rise commercial structure currently used as a gym. The building dates to the prewar period and features a few notable details, such as a curved parapet with a blue-tiled lozenge as its centerpiece. However, the structure has been extensively renovated over the years and currently holds negligible architectural value, so its demolition will not adversely affect the surrounding area.
As built, the structure is quite different from the original proposal, which was planned as a 165-unit development. The building was to rise eight stories tall, with a special permit allowing it to rise above the city-mandated 38-foot height limit, and hold 110 apartments. The density would have been a boon to a neighborhood that is seeing a dramatic demand for housing, both from the established community, the newcomers, and students in the rapidly expanding University City to the east. The plan would have offered a greater number of construction jobs as well as permanent employment, and was supported by the Spruce Hill Community Association.
The original proposal for 4415 Chestnut Street. Looking northeast. Credit: Wulff Architects
Even in its reduced scope, the development is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. However, its story is yet another reminder that the city must relax its restrictive zoning code, which prevents builders from effectively responding to the real estate demand in a city that is rapidly reviving after decades of depopulation and disinvestment.
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This is atrocious.
The materials are questionable but the window are not only not proportional to the facade or orientation, but unless all of the windows are to bathrooms, they don’t make much sense.
Ugh!
Wow, ghetto.
Hideous, yet another shoddy “high end luxury” building that has nothing to do with the neighborhood and continues to push out long time residents and community members for the sake of chasing the almighty dollar. UC/West needs AFFORDABLE HOUSING that’s not HUD, PHA or tax credit. No hoops to jump through, no recertifications. Just basic, clean, dry, safe 1 bedroom (500 to 600 sq ft) apartments in the $600 to $800 a month range. And none of this 3x income to even apply. It is possible except for greed.
I left a comment but you took it down because it was true. This buildind is a fire trap that the fire chief should not open.