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.

Floor plans have been recently revealed for Ultra Labs University City at 125 North 32nd Street in University City, West Philadelphia. Developed by the Republic Properties and Scheer Partners, the structure will rise 190 feet and 19 stories tall and will contain 185,279 square feet of interior space. The mixed-use building will combine laboratory and office space, joining the many lab buildings located throughout University City.