Dale Corporation

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.

The real estate boom continues unabated in Northern Liberties, where the Stamm Development Group is proposing a six-story, 50-unit residential building at 1102 Germantown Avenue. The wedge-shaped building will feature amenities such as a fitness center, nine parking spaces, and a green roof, which, combined with mixed-income bonuses, has allowed the developer to boost the proposal’s height and square footage.