Morgan Hall; Temple University

Temple University's Morgan hall raises the skyline of North Philadelphia as it inches closer and closer to opening day.  The project will surely help user in a new age of vitality to the North Broad street corridor, pushing limits of the "unexpected" in North Philadelphia.

The $174 million, 736,000 square foot apartment complex features a beautifully understated (except for its hight) contemporary 27 story tower joined by a ten story dorm on the south end designed by MGA Partners.  The two dorms will contain at least 1,200 beds in 4-person suites and 20 singles.  There will also be dining facilities and new retail dining space in a separate building on North Broad Street and a courtyard in the middle of the complex.  The project is set to open July 2013.

Wanamaker Plaza North Tower Update

Temple University's housing options continue to grow as another project progresses on the 100 block of Cecil B. Moore Ave.  The site that will soon be new student housing was once formerly the John Wanamaker Middle School.

Once complete, the $100 million project developed by the Goldenberg Group will sit 14-stories tall at 214 feet, adding 832 beds for Temple students.  The apartments will be ready for the fall of 2014.

Diamond Green Apartments

Extremely generic in design but a positive alternative to a very large vacant lot on the edge of Temple University's campus in North Philadelphia, The completed Diamond Green Apartments adds 92 additional residential units for Temple students.  The building contains 12K sqft of first floor retail space with 92 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom apartments on the upper four floors.  Other amenities include round the clock security, laundry facilities, balconies, lounges and parking.  Rental rates start at $650 per furnished bedroom.

New $100 million Temple Student Housing

Philly.com reports, the Goldenberg Group has started construction on a $100 million student apartment building next to Temple University on the site of the former John Wanamaker Middle School with a 2014 completion date. The original plan was to renovate the school into student apartments, with community space and a charter school for the Bright Hope Baptist Church, currently located across the street.  The Bright Hope Baptist Church still remains part of the project as an equity partner with a 10% stake, money they say they will use to fund a new charter school.

The new 14-story residence will be located in the 100 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue, adding 832 beds for Temple Students.  The project is the third to add much-needed housing for Temple.  The university is building a 1,000-bed dormitory on North Broad Street and Mosaic Development partners of West Philadelphia is finishing construction of Diamond Green Apartments for an additional 350 students near the Temple University train station.  The projects will  relieve pressure among Temple's rising ranks of students to find housing on or near campus, said Ken Lawrence, a senior vice president of government relations at Temple.  This will surely help to alleviate clashes between local residents and the over 5,000 Temple students living in off campus housing.

Temple University Morgan Hall

Driving south on I-95 or along Broad Street you may have noticed a tower peaking out of an oasis of smaller homes and mid-rise buildings.  In case you were not informed, this new structure is a product of Temple University's expansion plans, a new residential complex called Mitchell and Hilarie Morgan Hall.

The 27-story tower is part of a large building complex which includes a shorter 10-story mid-rise building.  When complete in 2013 Morgan Hall will have more than 1,200 beds, many of them located in the tower offering unparalleled views of Philadelphia.  The tower features four-person suites, each with a full kitchen, shared living space and two bathrooms.

The 10 story mid-rise building will feature residences, and administrative space, and a separate facility with retail dining facilities.  Together, the buildings will add 660,000 gross square feet of building to the main campus physical plant.

The facility will offer additional jobs and economic opportunity to members of the North Philadelphia community.  As part of the larger Temple 20/20 framework for the Main Campus physical transformation, the complex makes good on the university's pledge to attract more students to live on campus while remaining within Temple's existing footprint.

In conjunction with the project, Temple also created 250 four-year scholarships to be awarded over 10 years to students in the North Philadelphia neighborhoods surrounding its main campus.  The program is boosting the amount of scholarships awarded to Philadelphia students by Temple to nearly $12 million annually.

Temple Area Neighborhood Improvement District Faces Challenges

A Neighborhood Improvement District was proposed by Councilman Darrell Clark's office for the area of North Philadelphia neighboring Temple University from Girard Avenue north to York Street, and from 15th Street west to 19th Street.  Clarks's office proposed the NID to combat the symptoms of the student-housing boom in the area.  An outright band on student housing was considered but questionable legality stopped those plans.  The District was proposed in response to increasing complaints from community residents about Temple-student housing in the neighborhood.

The NID would impose a tax increase on constituents, and the revenue from which would be put toward extra safety and cleaning services.  Ironically, the bill is supported by the people who are paying into it, the rental property owners, and opposed by the residents who would reap its benefits for free- owner occupants.  Owner-occupants whose homes will not be subject to the fee, don't have the opportunity to vote against the bill.  PlanPhilly reports that several longtime community residents testified at a hearing two weeks ago that they opposed the NID not because they don't want extra cleaning and safety services in their neighborhood, but because they are being left out of the process.

Because people don't fully understand what a NID is, this is why there is so much opposition.  Education and inclusion is key to making sure all affected residents feel respected and that they have value.  Click HERE for a definition and description of a Neighborhood Improvement District.  the City Council will be able to act on the bill after a 45-day period during which 51 percent of assessed property owners would have to vote against the NID in order to kill it,

Temple University Building Greener

The university has recently completed construction of its LEED Gold Certified Temple I North 16th Street Project.  The project has rehabilitated 22 historic town homes totaling 58 units, implementing key sustainable measures allowing them to achieve Gold status.  A public ceremony will take place on June 14 to celebrate the end of construction and award a plaque for the LEED Gold Certification.  The units were developed by the 1260 Housing Development Corporation, a non-profit on a mission to provide high-quality, affordable housing to low-income individuals.

The sustainable design elements implemented include: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber, no volatile organic compound-emitting adhesive materials, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, recycled content building materials and Energy Star mechanical systems.  A white roof system is used to reduce the "heat island effect" cause by heat absorbing surfaces in urban areas.  During construction, all site work was conducted in a manner to minimize disturbance of any and all native vegetation and soil.  Also, a construction waste recycling program diverted 85 percent of the waste from landfills to recycling facilities.

Owner: Arch V Temple N. 16th St, LP

Developer: 1260 Housing Development Corporation

Architect: Kramer/ Marks Architects

Photo Updates For 2200 N. Sydenham Apartment Building

Earlier this year we posted about a new project going up on Sydenham St. in North Philadelphia.  The building is to be rented out to Temple University Students, and from the looks at new renderings, developer Tom Webber seems to have a bit of "Owl Fever", decking the building out in school colors!  Check out the updates below.

2200 N. Sydenham

Developer Tom Webber makes his mark in North Philadelphia with the construction of an 8000 Sg ft Apartment building featuring quality green housing for nearby Temple University students.  Tom has bravely decided to develop north of the Temple development line encourage the recent development craze in North Philadelphia to continue to break down barriers creating healthy sustainable neighborhoods one building at a time.

The Building will contain the following green features:

Soy Foam Insulation

Hybrid water heater with hot water on demand systems to conserve water

PV Panels 

Recycling of Construction Debris

CFL and LED lighting

Green Roof Deck

Developer: Tom Webber

Location: 2200 N. Sydenham

Land Purchase Price: $100,000

Units: 8

Floors: 3

The Modules

"The Modules" apartment complex is a sleek new addition to the lower North Philadelphia landscape, setting the bar high for new innovative multifamily dwellings west of Broad Street.  Following architectural styles seen in Northern Liberties and the new dormitories at Penn and Temple, the Modules is definitely adding to a wave of contemporary architecture in Philadelphia.  Located at 1417 N 15th street, developers Carlisle Street Partners ambitiously aimed to design the first green building in the Temple University area sporting a roof deck and bicycle garage.  The building is marketed to Temple University students as a means of off campus housing.