4233 Chestnut 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.

Permits have been issued for a new three-story residential project at 534 North 54th Street in Haddington, West Philadelphia. The building will be located on a lot spanning 4,989 square feet, situated on a block bound by Conestoga Avenue, Wyalusing Avenue, Pennsgrove Street, facing 54th Street. The project has an allocated total construction cost of $214,990, with $155,890 allocated to the general cost of construction, $13,600 for mechanical work, $12,000 for electrical work, and $32,500 for plumbing work.