Equinox Builds 29 Units in Francisville

Developer Jonathan Weiss, of Equinox Management & Construction's plan to build 20 residential units on 18,000 square feet of city-owned vacant land in Francisville was approved last week by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.  The site is located on the 1700 block of Folsom Street across from the Francisville Recreation Center.  It contains four standing single family homes, which are not part of the deal.

Weiss' plan for the neighborhood includes two multi-family buildings and 21 single-family units, 11 car parking spaces and 30 bike parking spaces, green roofs, solar panels, and energy-efficient materials.  The units will be market- rate and mixed- income, primarily marketed to families earning the area median income of $64k a year.  Weiss hopes to officially acquire the land in April or May and begin construction immediately, with units on the market by Fall.

Residences at the Lorraine

Owners Lorraine Land LLP contracted Cope Linder Architects to design a proposal for a residential mixed use development for the Divine Lorraine and surrounding properties.  The project has not yet received approval and there is no date set for construction.  I will say that this project would be a sure positive boost for the surrounding communities.

The program calls for 150 condos and restaurant in the restored Divine Hotel.  Mixed-use development of 450 one-bedroom and efficiency units, supermarket, health club, cafe, and 620 space parking garage all adjacent to a new pedestrian plaza.

Modeled after successful European urban redevelopment projects, the plans for the Residences  at the Lorraine bring an elegant solution to an area primed for growth and enrichment.  The rehabilitation of the Divine Lorraine Hotel is supported by a modern mixed-use development of housing, retail, parking and beautiful public spaces, including a lush roof garden.  Using multi-colored glass, metal and precast concrete, this urban infill project will bring life to a currently underutilized space.

Affordable Sustainable Living in Francisville

Nonprofit developer Community Venture and the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation have collaborated on a 44-unit rental housing development called Francisville East on the 1500 block of Poplar Street.  The building is a much welcomed addition to the ongoing beautification efforts of Francisville.  Long time neighbors are very excited to see their neighborhood coming back to life, and the development of affordable housing is an added bonus that will hopefully help to keep property taxes at an affordable rate.

The building will be home to  27 one-bedroom units as well as two and three bedroom units.  Solar panels will be used to assist in energy consumption, and small perimeter gardens and adequate sidewalks greet neighbors as they pass by.  The property management company said that they are looking for tenants that are making a minimum annual income of $18,000.  The building was also built with senior citizens as well as the handicapped in mind, considering the aging population of North Philadelphia and changing physical needs.

Information provided by Public Record

Owner: Francisville East LP
Purchase Price for 16 lots: $1 each in 2010
Land area per lot: 1130 SqFt
Location: Francisville
Use: 3-Story Apartment Building

The Vineyards at 16th an Ridge Ave.

The Large Vacant property at 16th and Ridge Avenue in the Francisville section of North Philadelphia will soon be the home of a new LEED Certified housing development.  A group of private stakeholders announced they hope to begin construction in March.  The proposed modern and sustainable housing will feature 20 three-family town-homes with hydronic radiant heating and solar thermal hot water systems.  The Vineyards at 16th is not only the first LEED-certified housing development in the area, but its construction also has the potential to draw new residents into a neighborhood suffering from population loss.