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.

A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed that construction is well underway at Comly Commons, a 139-unit development at 1810-34 East Hagert Street (also known as 1825 East Boston Street) in East Kensington. Designed by SgRA Architecture, the project consists of renovation of multiple existing industrial buildings and additions that will make for a singular, six-story structure. The 133,014-square-foot building which will also hold artisan industrial space. According to permits, construction costs are estimated at $8.45 million.