113-29 Berkley Street Rendering – Harman Deutsch Ohler Architecture

Back in 2012, the historic Van Straaten and Harvey Silk Mill warehouse building in Germantown was demolished due to being neglected for decades. Since then, the Wayne Junction District has flourished around the property with several other old buildings being converted into residential and commercial uses. The site of the old silk mill ended up becoming a surface parking lot that has also been used for events and outdoor dining for the neighboring Attic Brewing Company and Deke’s BBQ.

Earlier this year, owners of the historic Keystone Dry Plate & Film Works right next door to the parking lot, who have saved countless buildings in Germantown, filed a hardship request to demolish the film works building due to it being impossible to save after years of neglect. Demolition permits for that building were issued in April. The film works property, combined with the parking lot next door, left a more than 42,000 square foot CMX-3 zoned piece of land open right in the heart of Wayne Junction at 113-29 Berkley Street.

Philly Office Retail, the owner of the property, now plans on building a 6-story, 70 foot tall building with 143 residential units, a 10,500 square foot commercial space, 93 automobile parking spots, 50 bicycle stalls, and a roof deck on the site.

A trolley car that was brought to Wayne Junction in 2018 from Connecticut will be incorporated into the front of the building and the commercial space, which should add unique touch to the project. The rest of the facade will primarily be made up of red brick with metal panel and Hardie plank accents on the street-facing side of the building.

Overall, we think the design of this building looks really sharp and will fit well into this historical, industrial pocket of Germantown. It’s also great to see additional residential density and commercial space added so close to the train station.

How do you feel about this project? Do you know anyone that’s looking to open a diner in Wayne Junction?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rising Real Estate (@rising.realestate)

143-Unit Development Planned at Wayne Junction in Germantown