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.

Renderings have been revealed for a new mixed-use development at 1314-32 Spring Garden Street in Callowhill. Designed by Volumetric Building Companies, the building will rise seven stories tall, with 1,598 square feet of retail space at the ground floor. The upper floors will contain 149 apartments, with a unit breakdown of 96 studios, 48 junior one bedrooms, and five two-bedrooms. Of the 28 parking spaces, three will be accessible, four will be auto-share spaces, and one will have an electrical charging station. Additionally, 60 bicycle spaces will be included within the project.