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.

Permits have been issued for an addition to 725-29 South Broad Street in Hawthorne, South Philadelphia. The development will involve a three-floor overbuild on top of the existing structure to create a seven-story building. Additionally, a new six-story structure will be attached to the existing building in the back. The structure will feature 55,119 square feet in the interior and will house business and office space. Construction costs for the development are estimated at $4 million.