It’s been a long road with multiple proposals at 1525 N. American St., the 20,453 SF IRMX lot between Jefferson and Oxford St. in Kensington. Several years ago, there was a proposal to build 46 residential units, retail space, restaurant space, and a coworking / office space for young entrepreneurs on the site. Later, plans shifted to build a charter school on the parcel. Both of those plans are now dead.
Current plans call for 110 residential units, 2,701 SF of commercial space, artist studios, 17 car parkings spots, and 51 bike spaces on the site. Permits were pulled for the project in February and detailed plans were recently released in advance of the development’s July 14th hearing with the Civic Design Review (CDR).
The design of the building should fit seamlessly into the landscape of this historically industrial section of South Kensington. The brick facade and large metal windows remind us of other old warehouses and factories nearby. We also appreciate the large first floor windows that grant great visibility into the lobby and other commercial spaces and will provide eyes on the street.
The project will have a green roof and a roof deck for the building’s residents to utilize. 8 of the residential units will also have their own private roof deck, which is an amenity we rarely see in large multi-unit buildings in Philadelphia.
We look forward to this project moving forward and breaking ground. North American St. is transforming before our eyes with the green rainwater management and bicycle infrastructure work currently underway on the corridor along with several other mixed-use and commercial projects in planning or under development. Our only regret so far is the huge storage facility being built at American and Cecil B. Moore.
How do you feel about this project? Do you think the third time will be the charm and we will finally see development move forward at this site?
Kyle is a commercial real estate agent at Rittenhouse Realty Advisors, a homeowner, and a real estate investor in Philadelphia. Kyle uses his extensive Philadelphia real estate market knowledge to help his clients buy and sell multifamily investment properties, development opportunities, and industrial sites.
Email Kyle@RittenhouseRealty.com if you are looking to buy or sell a property
Instagram: @agent.kyle