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.

Permits have been issued for the construction of a new multi-family residential building at 808 North Preston Street, situated in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The development will replace a vacant lot on the block between Parrish and Ogden streets. The structure will rise three stories tall and span a total construction area of 3,764 square feet. Plans also call for a full basement, a roof deck, and a pilot house providing access to the deck. The building will hold three dwelling units in total.