2442 North Marshall 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.

Construction is making headway on a townhouse complex located at 131 South 24th Street, at the southeast corner of the 24th Street and Sansom Street intersection, in Fitler Square, Center City. The complex contains five homes in total, each rising five stories tall. A covered drive aisle at the rear provides access to individual garages, while outdoor areas above maximize the use of space. Other outdoor areas will be included atop the fourth and fifth floors.