2220 Wilder 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 massive mixed-use development has been unveiled at 4401 Ridge Avenue in East Falls, Northwest Philadelphia. Designed by Oombra Architects and developed by Atapco Properties, the development will hold 178,837 square feet of space and will offer 185 residential units, with 34 planned studios, 117 one-bedrooms units, and 34 two-bedroom units. Additionally, 4,760 square feet of commercial space will be located on the ground floor on Ridge Avenue. Here, a “commercial patio” will also be located, offering 2,200 square feet of outdoor space. More outdoor area will be provided on the 8,100-square-foot roof deck, which will come with a 3,400-square-foot green roof. The project will also provide 189 parking spaces as well as 62 bike spaces.