Urban planning analysis

2222 Market Street in the skyline from Spring Garden Street Bridge. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Philadelphia On Track for Record Construction Activity in 2022

8:00 am on January 7, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

This year, Philadelphia is about to say “Yes In My Back Yard” to new development on an unprecedented scale. Over the course of last year, the Department of Licenses and Inspections issued a slew of permit approvals that may result in the construction of approximately 10,000 new rental units, roughly triple the number of the average total per typical year. Moreover, during the same period, a total of 90 proposed developments went before the Civic Design Review (CDR) board, which makes non-binding suggestions for projects that meet certain criteria depending on size and location. The number roughly doubles the average yearly volume and has set a record for CDR submission history.

The Town, the Suburb, and the Urban Spirit: a Detailed Look at 400 West Elm, 13-Story, 348-Unit High-Rise Underway at 400 West Elm Street in Conshohocken, PA

7:30 am on December 12, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Earlier this month YIMBY shared the news of developer Equus Capital Partners announcing the start of development on 400 West Elm, a 13-story, 348-unit residential high-rise at 400 West Elm Street in Conshohocken, PA, three miles to the northwest of Philadelphia. Designed by JDAVIS, the building will rise on the Schuylkill River waterfront, just to the northwest of the Conshohocken Station of SEPTA Regional Rail. Equus, in partnership with USAA Real Estate, have closed on a joint venture and first round of financing. Construction prep is currently underway at the site, with McDonald Building Co. as the contractor. Today we take a detailed look at the development and what it means for the spirit and ambitions of the rapidly growing town.

735 Arch Street. Credit: Parkway Corporation

Parking Lot Available for Nearly 200,000-Square-Foot Development at 735 Arch Street in Market East, Center City

7:30 am on December 11, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Developer Parkway Corporation is looking to redevelop a 39,564-square-foot parking lot at 735 Arch Street in Market East, Center City, into a building that may yield 197,820 square feet with a floor-to-area ratio of 5:1. No permits have been filed for the site nor have any specific proposals, if they exist, been revealed to the public. It appears that Parkway is currently seeking a development partner or anchor tenant, given that the parcel is listed in its “opportunities” section. The lot is situated within a Federal Opportunity Zone, an economic development program that encourages investment in specially designated “distressed areas” by providing major tax incentives to developers.

700-30 Delaware Avenue and 711-35 North Front Street. Credit: JKRP Architects

An In-Depth Look at 488-Unit Mixed-Use Complex Planned at 700-30 North Delaware Avenue in Northern Liberties

7:30 am on December 9, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Last month, Philly YIMBY visited the site of a half-million-square-foot, 488-unit mixed-use complex planned at 700-30 North Delaware Avenue on the Delaware River waterfront in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia. Designed by JKRP Architects, the complex will consist of two seven-story buildings, one spanning the east half of the lot at 700-30 North Delaware Avenue and another to the west at 711-35 North Front Street, with a retail-fronted pedestrian promenade between the two offering public space. While our recent site visit focused on the progress (or lack thereof) at the location, today we dig deeper into the design, its advantages, pitfalls, and still-extant opportunities for further improvement.

1106-14 Spring Garden Street. Credit: Varenhorst

Examining Preservation-Minded Alternatives for the 79-Unit Building Planned at 1106-14 Spring Garden Street in Callowhill, Lower North Philadelphia

7:30 am on November 30, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

YIMBY recently introduced a six-story, 79-unit mixed-use proposal at 1106-14 Spring Garden Street (aka 1106 Spring Garden Street) in Callowhill, Lower North Philadelphia. Designed by Varenhorst, the building will offer an appealing design, street-energizing retail, much-needed public space, and a large number of apartments. However, the proposal also involves the demolition of a stately prewar building, which has recently been torn down. Today we look at the demolished structure and analyze strategies for how it could have been preserved and incorporated into the design without sacrificing any of its current strong points.

Rendering of 801 North 19th Street. Credit: NORR.

Vacant Lot Awaits Construction of 149-Unit Development at 801 North 19th Street in Francisville, North Philadelphia

8:00 am on November 10, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Philly YIMBY’s recent site visit has revealed no signs of construction at the large, block-sized lot slated for a 149-unit residential development at 801 North 19th Street in Francisville, North Philadelphia. Designed by NORR, the complex will consist of a five-story, 115-unit apartment building as well as 34 three-story townhouses clustered around an interior courtyard and parking lot. The 104,596-square-foot multi-family building will offer units spanning between 498 to 1,004 square feet, an amenity area situated at the fifth floor, and 52 parking spaces in a basement garage.

The HQ at 710 North 16th Street. Credit: Stamm Development Group

Construction Nearly Finished at The HQ at 710 North 16th Street in Fairmount, North Philadelphia

7:30 am on November 7, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Construction is just about complete at The HQ, a four-story, 30-unit residential development that stands at 710 North 16th Street in Fairmount, North Philadelphia, near the border with Francisville. Developed by the Stamm Development Group, the project packs 35,000 square feet of interior space and features units ranging from studios to two bedrooms. The amenity package includes a fitness center and a roof deck.

1201 West Girard Avenue. Credit: Landmark Architectural Design LLC

Permits Issued for 166-Unit Building at 1201 West Girard Avenue in Yorktown, North Philadelphia

8:00 am on October 7, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Permits have been issued for the construction of a four-story, 166-unit multi-family building at 1201 West Girard Avenue in Yorktown, North Philadelphia. Designed by Landmark Architectural Design LLC, the 118,298-square-foot structure will reintroduce significant residential presence to a site formerly occupied by a suburban-style pharmacy, helping restore the area to its vibrant prewar density level. Permits list OCF Construction LLC as the contractor and a construction cost of $17.2 million.

The Standard at Philadelphia at 119 South 31st Street. Credit: CUBE 3

Demolition Permits Issued for the Site of The Standard at Philadelphia at 119 South 31st Street in University City, West Philadelphia

8:00 am on October 3, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Demolition permits have been issued for a five-story, 75,200-square-foot building at 119 South 31st Street in University City, West Philadelphia. The structure will make way for The Standard at Philadelphia, an approximately 210-foot-tall, 18-story high-rise that will span a mid-block site stretching between South 30th to South 31st streets. Designed by Cube3, the new building will offer 280 residential units and 37 parking spaces.

2019 Fitzwater Street. Looking north. Credit: Google Maps

Demolition Permits Issued for Three-Story Prewar Rowhouse at 2019 Fitzwater Street in Graduate Hospital, South Philadelphia

7:00 am on September 29, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

Demolition permits have been issued for a three-story prewar rowhouse at 2019 Fitzwater Street in Graduate Hospital, South Philadelphia. The building is part of a block-long ensemble that is seeing an increasing number of recent and upcoming demolitions. Permits list Dan Borkson as the owner and Cider Mill Services Inc. as the contractor. Demolition costs are specified at $25,900.

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