Blackstone's 191-unit Residence

Blackstone Development plans to build a 191-unit, mixed-use project on an industrial parcel at Germantown Ave. and Thompson Street in South Kensington.  The project was subject to Civic Design Review last week, with a largely positive outcome.  The project requires variances for residential and commercial uses in an industrial district.

The Committee applauded the developer for putting the parking facilities, containing 153 spaces, underground.  It also recommended that the developers consider removing some of the pedestrian entrances into the courtyard of the project and widening others.  Final approval has not yet been granted, more community meetings are planned.

Liberty Square; Kensington's Piazza

Old Kensington will soon get a new mega piazza style development on former industrial zoned land along Germantown Ave. and American Street called "Liberty Square".  Blackstone Development will construct a six-story-high, 277,000 square-foot mixed use development with 247 apartments, commercial and live-work space.  the project will occupy the lot bounded by Thompson Street, Stiles Street, American Street and Germantown Avenue.

The project will also contain a 161-space underground parking garage with bike storage.  there will be street level retail along Germantown Ave, a restaurant and cafe on Stiles Street, live-work spaces along American Street and street level residential along Thompson Street.  the project will also feature an interior plaza with a fountain and dog park, with access to the plaza from the retail spaces along Germantown Avenue.  No worries to Kensington resident, this development in planning does not compare to the Piazza at Schmidt's down the road.  It is much smaller with more of a neighborhood scale, and less amenities.

Liberty Square will be built in three phases over the course of two and a half years with ground breaking some time in the late fall on the parking garage and the Germantown Ave building.

G8-Life's 2300 Amber Residence

G8- Life is well along on the construction of its third home in Kensington at 2300 Amber Street.  The two-story residence will look very similar to its counterparts at 2200 and 2400 Amber, only it will have a roof deck.  The home will also be fitted with the same energy efficient design as the other homes, very indicative of sustainable practices at G8-Life.  The home should see completion later this summer.

Norris Point

The Norris Point development at the corner of Trenton Ave. and E. Norris St. in Kensington has progressed very well over the past six months.  The first four homes are complete with four new neighbors currently under construction, completing the project.  the homes will be complete with roof decks with amazing north east skyline views, a full basement, rear patios, and benefits of a ten year tax abatement.

Umbrella Factory

The 178,000 sqft abandoned Umbrella Factory located on the corner of 5th St. and Master St. in Olde Kensington will soon be converted into 142 residential loft style condominiums and 2 commercial spaces.  The units will also be suitable for conversion to assisted-living, student housing, or subsidized/artist housing.

The eight-story skeleton of brick and empty windows has sat vacant for more than 20 years.  However, with $25 million in private investment, the building will soon be transformed into luxury condos, off-street parking and boutique shops.

Many worry that gated communities like the coming Umbrella Factory condominiums will push residents out of the neighborhood, which is why 18 neighborhood groups have united to form the Eastern North Philadelphia Coalition.  Their goal is the get Medini, one of the buildings new owners, to sign a community benefits agreement.  This is to make sure any big development in their neighborhood is equitable development.

Medini, his lawyer and the 125 members of the community began talking about the kind of assurances that would curb the gentrification of this old factory community.  Many cities have developed policies that allow residents to defer property tax payment until they sell their homes.  They've also considered zoning that would require new housing developments to set aside a specific number of affordable units. Or caps are placed on property taxes for the elderly and low-income residents.

Developers like Medini get a 10-year tax abatement while property taxes for some residents in this community have increases excessively in the last five years.  Some suggested Medini setting aside a percentage of construction jobs for local residents, creating a science lab, computer center or music program at Ludlow School, sponsor local athletic teams, or allot a portion of the condos for affordable housing.  Although Medini disagrees on the Affordable Housing, the future will reveal his final compromise.

G8 Development's 2400 Amber Street Residents Photo-Opp

A few months ago G8 Development placed its first new construction project at 2200 Amber Street in Kensington on the market as well as its twin at 2400 Amber St.  Here is a look inside these sustainable contemporary townhomes!

Old Trenton Ave Police Station

Construction renovations continue over at the old Trenton Ave police station.  Most of the interior floors and walls have been replaced and almost all windows except those prone to vandalism have been replaced.  The project will likely see completion by late summer / fall of 2012.  The has always been a beautiful building with tons of character.  There was a for sale sign out front for years, it was only a matter of time before the right developer saw her potential.  The corner commercial retail space will likely go to a local Bank, giving the desolate corner some added daytime life.  Hopefully someone will buy out the horse stable across the street and turn the unique triangular lot into beautiful apartments, possible name "stable house" , "Barn Lofts", "Trenton Stables", or "the Horse Shoe".  Just a thought.  Someone Please Develop that site. Do those poor horses a favor and encourage the owners to move them to more sanitary and healthy quarters.

Norris Point

New Construction is underway at the corner of Trenton Ave. and E. Norris Street.The property was sold by The Somers Team, but no sure if the are in fact also the developers of the property.  The project plans for 10 modern 3 bedroom town homes with 2.5 bathrooms and private off-street parking.  The project also features roof decks with skyline views, completed full basements and rear patios.  New Home buyer can also take advantage of a Ten Year tax abatement.

The Modern design of the house seems typical of the new construction in the Fishtown, Kensington area, but it does appear more throughout and original than the new rentals homes recently completed next door lining Trenton Avenue.

G8-Life Completes First New Construction Project.

G8 Life's 2200 Amber residential project has proven a huge success, billowing through construction in a matter of months, but what may have seemed like forever to developers, getting through city permits and interjections from neighbors.  Like all new construction in Philadelphia, there is bound to be obstacles, but G8 successfully got one on the boards and is soon to have a second completed project at 2400 Amber.  The company has completed many renovation and rehab projects throughout the city, and now it has New Construction to add to its portfolio.

Take a look at the property as work comes to an end and the property is prepped for Sale.

Philly's Fishtown and Kensington Neighborhoods still hold on to prime realestate

Many young suburbanites and college graduates find the off grid village like streets of Fishtown and East Kensignton to be a desirable, and easily accessible place to live.  Serviced by two Market-Frankford stations and multiple bus routes connecting to Temple University, Center city and nearby Northern Liberties, the neighborhoods are a sure bet young adults and new families on the go.  These family based communities which haven't had the best historical reputation, with lots of racial tension, seems to have been overlooked by newcomers who simply care about great prices, unique pads, and easy access to schools and jobs.

Developers from G8-Life to Onion Flats have taken advantage of the cheap land prices which are steadily increasing.  Development is seen in the form of rehabilitation of abandoned structures, new single family constructions, and pop up small businesses from boutiques to cafés. The neighborhood associations, like their neighbors in Northern Liberties are not opposed to structure over 60 feet, which is very appealing to developers.  Time will tell what this neighborhood ultimately evolves into.  It can only be a positive change for Philadelphia, with Bart Blatstein jumping on the North Broad Street ban wagon with purchases of the Philadelphia Inquirer and another former city owned tower blocks away.  I wouldn't be surprised if he dips his hands into the Divine Lorraine.