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.

Permits have been issued for two multi-family developments, located on the same block, at 161 and 176 Conarroe Street, in Manayunk, Northwest Philadelphia. At 161 Conarroe Street, plans call for the addition of an interior elevator and garage area. The rest of the building will be converted to hold more residential space, with 20 apartments added inside. In total, the building will offer 33,520 square feet of space, and renovation work is expected to cost $2 million. At 176 Conarroe Street, a very similar project is in the works. The three-story building will see its interior renovated into 15 apartments. In total, this building will offer 23,300 square feet of space, with renovation costs estimated at $1.5 million. Between the two projects, 35 residential units will be added to the block.