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 filed for the construction of a mixed-use structure at 4665 Paul Street in Frankford, Northeast Philadelphia. Cicada Architecture is in charge of the design work. The building will stands three floors and also include a cellar level. A commercial space will be located on the ground floor of the building with four residential units on the upper floors. Frankford Community Development is the listed owner. Construction costs are estimated at $798,000.