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.

Permits have been issued for a multi-family overbuild above the historic Freeman’s Auction House, located at 1810 Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City. Designed by Cecil Baker + Partners, the new tower will add 19 stories above the existing Auction House, bringing the total height to 25 stories, which is certainly not the greatest height in the area, but will still make a large impact from the street. There will be 19 residential units within the he new addition, each a luxury condominium, with several taking up an entire floor. The existing auction house will be restored as commercial space. An underground garage will hold space for seven parking spaces, and there will also be nine bicycle spaces, as well. An additional four bike spaces will be included with the project along Chestnut Street on a new bike rack. A green roof will be situated at the top of the tower.