Permits have been issued for the construction of a two-story residential structure is under construction at 2100 East Orleans Street in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Located at the intersection of East Orleans Street and Amber Street, the property sits just south of the Frankford elevated line and east of Kensington Avenue. The development is transforming a formerly vacant parcel into a modern single-family dwelling.
The project is being spearheaded by the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC). The architectural design comes from Toner Architecture, Inc., a Philadelphia-based firm known for its contextual residential work across the city. KAPS Construction LLC is listed as the contractor.
According to the permits, the building will rise two stories in height, with a total construction area of 1,178 square feet. The wood-framed structure will be fully sprinklered and built on a slab-on-grade foundation.
2138 East Orleans Street View via Google Maps
2100 East Orleans Street Plan via Toner Architecture
2120 East Orleans Street View via Google Maps
Permit documents indicate that the scope of work includes electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, each with dedicated costs of $12,000, $10,000, and $20,000 respectively. General construction is estimated at $120,000, bringing the total development cost to $162,000.
The architecture of the new home features a compact but efficient layout, likely tailored for urban infill. While full elevations were not disclosed, the plan references Type V-B construction, indicating a wood-framed building with modern residential finishes. Given Toner Architecture’s past projects and NKCDC’s community-focused mission, the structure is expected to reflect a blend of affordability and visual coherence with the surrounding row house fabric.
Permits for the zoning and building construction were issued on September 6, 2024, and July 28, 2025, respectively. No zoning variances were requested, and all work is being completed by right.
The new home lies near several community landmarks, including Harrowgate Park and the El station at Tioga, providing convenient transit access. Its addition contributes to ongoing efforts to reinvest in Kensington’s residential core while offering stabilized, owner-occupied housing on a block where vacancy and underuse have long been present.
As of now, the project is active and under construction. No anticipated completion date has been published.
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The top photo is a March 2023 Google Maps street view of the corner property, 2100 E. Orleans St., at the far right, where the pick-up truck is parked.
The second photo is also a March 2023 Google Maps street view, this correctly labeled 2138 E. Orleans St., and its neighbors. A bit of the ironic “no littering” sign is visible at the bottom.
The third photo is again a March 2023 Google Maps street view, this time of the vacant lots at 2117-19 East Orleans St.
This the third posted New Kensington Community Development Corporation developed, two-story, Toner drafted, KAPS constructed, single family home on the 2100 block of Orleans St. The other two are at 2120 and 2138 E. Orleans. See YIMBY’s two posts on July 23, 2025 (7:30am and 8:00 am) for details. Home size is similar and construction costs are identical.
All three homes are small and designed to be affordable. Bravo.
Double bravo!