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 massive 245-unit residential development proposed at 1600 North Broad Street (or 1406 Cecil B. Moore Avenue) near Temple University in North Philadelphia. Designed by JKRP Architects, the structure will rise 15 stories tall, containing 238,090 square feet of space. The development will feature a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Included with the project will be 62 parking spaces, and an impressive amenity space predominantly located at the second floor.