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.

A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY shows significant construction progress at Broad and Noble, a 19-story, 344-unit complex underway at 435-43 North Broad Street in Callowhill, Lower North Philadelphia, since our last visit in April. The project derives its name from its location at the northeast corner of Broad and Noble streets. Designed by Barton Partners and developed by Toll Brothers, with Clemens Construction Company as the contractor, the building has risen nearly to its full height of 231 feet, with fireproofing and interior partition work currently in progress. Upon completion, the project will span 371,302 square feet and will feature retail and underground parking. Permits list a construction cost of $70 million.