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 recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed significant construction progress at Broad and Noble, a 344-unit development underway at 435-43 North Broad Street in Callowhill, Lower North Philadelphia. Designed by Barton Partners and developed by Toll Brothers, with Clemens Construction Company as the contractor, the building will rise 231 feet and 19 stories and will feature a brick exterior that sets back from Broad Street. The project will also include retail and underground parking.