Urban planning analysis

2709-15 Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Photo by Jamie Meller. March 2022

Demolition Underway at Historic Columbia Theater in Cecil B. Moore, North Philadelphia

7:30 am on March 25, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed that demolition has begun at the historic Columbia Theater at 2709 Cecil B. Moore Avenue in Cecil B. Moore, North Philadelphia. The 100-year-plus-old structure, situated at the north side of the block between North 27th and Marston streets, will be replaced by a four-story, 18-unit apartment building. Designed by Kore Design Architecture (KCA), the new development will span 21,030 square feet and feature elevator service, full sprinkling and a roof deck. Permits list Bloomtown Holdings LLC as the owner, GRIT Construction as the contractor, and a construction cost of $3.16 million. The Columbia Theatre, as it was originally known, was built in 1911 in a grand Beaux-Arts style. The massive, dramatic marquee and vertical sign that once adorned its front entrance are long gone. Still present, however, is the symmetrical facade with Palladian and oeil-de-boeuf windows, a garland-adorned crown, and a dentil course cornice. Even the elegant bishop’s crook light sconces continue to grace the structure at the second level. The roughly 30-foot-tall building is at once in scale with the avenue’s rowhouses and offers a distinct sense of urbane grandeur.

Development Anticipated at 1700 North Front Street in Fishtown

7:30 am on March 23, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Last August, YIMBY shared renderings for a five-story, 204-unit development proposed at 1700 North Front Street in Fishtown, Kensington. More than half a year later, no construction permits have yet been filed nor has any construction activity taken place, as confirmed by our recent site visit. Designed by NORR, the 172,844-square-foot building will offer 123,218 square feet of residential space, which will be split between 28 studios, 141 one-bedroom units, 35 two-bedroom apartments, and a 5,264-square-foot amenity suite. The project will also feature 16,429 square feet of retail and parking for 70 bicycles.

Rendering of 1120 Frankford Avenue. Credit: BLT Architects.

Philly YIMBY Considers an Alternate Layout for The Frankford at 1120 Frankford Avenue in Fishtown

7:30 am on March 13, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Earlier this month, Philadelphia YIMBY published a detailed overview of The Frankford, a six-story, 150-unit mixed-use residential and retail development planned at 1120 Frankford Avenue (alternately 1120-36 Frankford Avenue) in Fishtown, Kensington. Designed by BLT Architects and developed by US Construction, the attractive Neo-Idustrial structure will create 7,166 square feet of ground-level retail and 83,372 square feet of residential space, contributing a significant volume of housing stock and a vibrant retail-fronted streetscape to the neighborhood. However, despite the positive impact the proposal promises to deliver, it arguably suffers from a squat, sprawling massing, which was likely crafted as a response to the neighborhood’s unreasonably low height limit. In this publication, YIMBY shares an alternate project layout of our own, which shows how a less restrictive zoning envelope would allow for a more organic relationship to the street, improved unit layouts, creation of new public space, improved pedestrian circulation,and even preservation of a locally beloved mural.

Rendering of 701-19 East Girard Avenue. Credit: JKRP Architects.

A Detailed Look at the 53-Unit Building Planned at 701 East Girard Avenue in Fishtown, Kensington

8:00 am on March 10, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Earlier this month, Philadelphia YIMBY visited the site of a four-story, 53-unit apartment building proposed at 701 East Girard Avenue in Fishtown, Kensington. The building, also known under its full address of 701-19 East Girard Avenue, will replace a small strip mall at the northeast corner of East Girard Avenue and East Berks Street. Designed by JKRP Architects and developed by OCF Realty, with OCF Construction as the contractor, the structure will span 58,260 square feet and feature 7,817 square feet of ground-level commercial space, elevator service, a fitness center, bicycle storage, full sprinkling, a 10,999-square-foot green roof, and a 1,855-square-foot roof deck. Permits list the construction cost at $9.3 million. Today we take a closer look at the proposal and its positive impact on the neighborhood, and share schematics for the dome-topped, 17-story hotel proposed at the site in 2014.

Rendering of 922-38 North Broad Street. Credit: Coscia Moos Architecture.

A Detailed Overview of the 196-Unit Mixed-Use Building Proposed at 922 North Broad Street in Francisville, North Philadelphia

8:00 am on March 4, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Over the course of the past year, Philly YIMBY featured sustained coverage of the seven-story mixed-use building planned at 922 North Broad Street in Francisville, North Philadelphia, and with good reason. Also known under its full address of 922-38 North Broad Street, the structure will rise on the southwest corner of North Broad Street and West Girard Avenue, two of the most important thoroughfares in Lower North Philadelphia, bringing 19,954 square feet of retail and 196 residential units to a subway- and trolley-adjacent site formerly occupied by a suburban-styled pharmacy. Designed by Coscia Moos Architecture, the structure will span 176,679 square feet and sport a distinctive multi-colored facade and a green roof. Permits list Ferraro Construction Group as the contractor and a construction cost of $20 million. Today YIMBY takes a detailed look at this centrally-located, transit-adjacent development.

Construction Complete at Six-Unit Building at 3907 Haverford Avenue in Mantua, West Philadelphia

7:00 am on February 16, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

A three-story, six-unit apartment building at 3907 Haverford Avenue in Mantua, West Philadelphia, has been completed and listed on the real estate market. Designed by MC Architectural, the structure replaces a vacant lot on the north side of the block between North 39th Street and Union Street. The structure spans 4,039 square feet, which lends an average of just under 700 square feet per unit. Permits list SPD Property Group LLC as the owner, Michael D. Cole of MC Architectural as the architect, and RDM Construction as the contractor. Construction costs are specified at $200,000.

Foundation Underway at 1164 South 18th Street in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia

7:00 am on February 7, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Foundation work is currently underway at a four-story, four-unit residential building under construction at 1164 South 18th Street in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia, as Philly YIMBY’s recent site visit revealed. Designed by 24/7 Design Group, the development will rise at the northwest corner of South 18th and Federal streets. Building features will include full sprinkling and a private roof deck accessible to a single unit. Permits list Federal 4 LP as the owner, Casey Lafferty as the contractor, and a construction cost of $400,000.

1939 Bainbridge Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. February 2022

Completion Nears at Two-Family Building at 1939 Bainbridge Street in Graduate Hospital, South Philadelphia

7:30 am on February 6, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed that construction is nearly complete at a four-story, two-family building at 1939 Bainbridge Street in Graduate Hospital, South Philadelphia. The structure stands at the northern side of the block between South 19th and South 20th streets and replaces a stately prewar rowhouse. According to permits, the new building’s footprint spans 684 square feet and the interior spans 3,392 square feet, lending a sizable average of nearly 1,700 square feet per unit. Features include full sprinkling, a basement, rear balconies, and a rooftop deck, which likely offers sweeping views of the nearby Center City skyline. Permits list MCG Investments 1939 Bain as the owner and Gerard McGeary as the contractor.

1830 Dickinson Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. January 2022

Vertical Extension Complete at 1830 Dickinson Street in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia

7:00 am on January 29, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

In August 2020, YIMBY reported that permits have been filed for a single-story vertical extension to a single-family prewar rowhouse at 1830 Dickinson Street in Point Breeze, South Philadelphia. Our recent check-in at the site has revealed that construction has since been completed, and the five-bedroom, four-bathroom property has been sold for $550,000 in November of last year. Permits show Travertine Development LL [sic] as the owner and Marlon F. Travis as the contractor. Construction costs are listed at $60,000.

721-23 North 16th Street. Looking northeast. Credit: Google

Permits Issued for Ten-Unit Building at 721-23 North 16th Street in Fairmount, Lower North Philadelphia

7:00 am on January 19, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Permits have been issued for the construction of a five-story, ten-unit apartment building at 721-23 North 16th Street in Fairmount, Lower North Philadelphia. The development will be situated on the east side of the block between Swain and Brown streets, in an area that may also be described as Francisville. The project will replace a pair of three-story, apparently well-maintained prewar rowhouses and will hold a total of 11,048 square feet of interior space, which translates to a sizable average of 1,100 square feet per unit. The building will feature full sprinkling, a cellar, and a roof deck, which, due to the building’s prominent height, promises to offer sweeping skyline views. Permits list Mountfair Assoc. as the owner and Regis Development Corp. as the contractor. Construction costs are specified at $725,000.

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