1541 South Bambrey Street

Urban development is a delicate balancing act, and sometimes we must say goodbye to cherished local destinations in order to make way for a plan that is ultimately more beneficial to the community and to the city at large. One of such trade-offs is slated to occur at 7619 Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy, Northwest Philadelphia, where the Trolley Car Diner is set to meet the wrecking ball, to be replaced by a six-story, mixed-use residential development designed by Morrissey Design. Although the charming chrome, neon, mural, and freestanding trolley of the diner will be missed, the proposal at hand makes for more effective use of the site, bringing significant residential density within a two0-block walk of the Mount Airy Station of the SEPTA Regional Rail and replacing the auto-centric restaurant with pedestrian-friendly retail.

Permits have been issued for the construction of a multi-family building at 650 North 38th Street in Mantua, West Philadelphia. Designed by KCA Design Associates, the new building will rise three stories tall and span 3,980 square feet, which will hold three apartments. A pilot house at the top of the structure will provide access to a roof deck, which will offer sweeping views of the nearby University City skyline. Construction costs are listed at $450,000 to build.