South 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.

Renderings have been revealed for a new two-building mixed-use development proposed at 5235 Chestnut Street in Cobbs Creek, West Philadelphia. The first building (which is located along Chestnut Street) will be the smaller of the two, rising six stories with a commercial space at the ground floor, with 33 residential units situated in the upper floors. The building will include a basement as well as a roof deck and green roof that will be accessed through a pilot house. 11 bike spaces will be included. The second, larger building that will be located along Ludlow Street and will also rise six stories. A commercial space will also be located on the ground floor of this building, with 171 residential units on upper floors. Like Building 1, there will be a basement level, roof deck, and green roof at the top, plus 57 bike spaces. The two buildings will share a loading space located along Ludlow Street. KCA Design Associates is the architectural firm behind the project.