1825 Diamond 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.

Philly YIMBY’s recent site visit has observed that construction work is nearing completion at a four-story, 42-unit mixed-use residential and commercial project at 1429-31 Federal Street in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia. The development rises on the north side of the block between South Broad Street and South 15th Street. Designed by Vincent Mancini, the development will span 34,668 square feet and feature retail space at the ground floor, a green roof, and parking for 14 bicycles. Permits list Top Gun Enterprises as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $3.8 million.