897 North 40th 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.

In Washington Square West, Arthaus at 311 South Broad Street has become the latest addition to the Philadelphia skyline. The nearly completed tower rises to a height of 542 feet and 47 stories and will feature 108 condominium units, along with ample amenity space and retail. The building, which stand somewhat apart from the main Center City skyline, was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, which has also crafted buildings such as the BNY Mellon Center and One Vanderbilt, and developed by Dranoff Properties.