>4080 Olive 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.

Work is underway on 4442 Ridge Avenue, a 136-unit mixed-use development located in East Falls, Northwest Philadelphia. YIMBY first shared the development with readers in January, when permits were issued for the building’s construction. Designed by HDO Architecture, the 174,544-square-foot structure will rise six stories tall, with a commercial space on the ground floor fronting Ridge Avenue. Parking will also be situated on the ground floor with additional spaces to be situated underground.