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.

A permit has been issued for the construction of a three-story mixed-use building at 1808 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood. The structure will span 2,992 square feet and include shell commercial space on the first floor and basement, with two residential units to be located on the second and third floors. Icon Remodeling LLC is listed as the contractor. Plato Studio is the architect.