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 located at 2019-53 East Boston Street in East Kensington. Designed by Designblendz, the project will consist of a renovation of an existing industrial structure and the demolition of a low-slung addition to said building, with a new multi-family building taking its place. The new structure will yield 100 new residential units within its six-story height, while the renovation of the existing industrial building will replace its existing roof with a roof deck, and will add five industrial spaces to the ground floor. The project will include parking for 34 cars and 61 bicycles.