Permits have been issued for the construction of a three-story residential building at 822 North 40th Street in Belmont, West Philadelphia. The project proposal includes the development of seven residential units across three floors. The listed construction cost is $500,000. Haverford Square Designs is listed as the architectural firm behind the project. Fitler Development is listed as the developer. Haverford Square Designs is listed as the architectural firm.
822 North 40th Street Floor Plan via Haverford Square Designs
The project site spans approximately 2,058 square feet and is zoned as Commercial Mixed-Use. The approved plans call for a fully sprinklered structure with a private roof deck and a roof access structure (pilot house), restricted to Unit #6. Construction will include a full basement, contributing to a total floor area of 5,748 square feet.
Design drawings show a vertically stacked layout with three primary floors above a cellar. The structure is set back slightly from the street, maintaining compliance with required setbacks. The building’s narrow footprint—approximately 15 feet wide—extends most of the lot’s depth, with open space spanning 520 square feet. The development includes a rear yard running 10 feet deep.
Originally refused by the city due to non-conforming ground-floor use and excess unit density under CMX-2 zoning, the project was approved via the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Refusal reasons included the absence of required non-residential space on the ground floor and a proposed unit count exceeding density limits based on lot size. These conditions were ultimately waived, allowing the seven-unit plan to move forward.
North 40th Street is a mixed-use area with residential and institutional buildings. The area is well-connected to transit and situated close to educational institutions, cultural landmarks, and the Philadelphia Zoo.
No construction timeline has been announced as of now.
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You can walk to the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens. 😁
What about parking?
A silver lining to the large amount of vacancy in the immediate area is that on-street parking is easy. We can only hope that it becomes more difficult.
Even better than the zoo is West Fairmount Park — it’s closer, it’s free and there’s much more to see and do.