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Thu
May 17
2012

Update: 1612-1616 South Street, Now With Renderings

A couple of months ago, we broke the news that vacant eyesore 1612-16 South Street was under agreement, and that the buyer intended to build something that included both residential and commercial units. Last night, representatives for the developer (including a representative from OCF Realty) presented an information session for this project at the SOSNA zoning meeting.

Current view

We now know that the developer intends to construct a single, four story building on this site with a 2,500 sqft commercial space on the first floor. The developer is seeking a marquee restaurant tenant for the space. One ADA apartment will be on the first floor, along with five on the second floor, and four on the third and fourth floors. That’s a total of fourteen rental apartments, altogether. The building, designed by Harman Deutsch, has a bit of a warehouse look to it.

Rendering of the proposed building

The reactions from the audience and the SOSNA zoning board were somewhat mixed. Some people were grateful for the large commercial space, the likes of which are very rare on South Street West. A few who spoke specifically indicated that they didn’t have a problem with the height, open space, or density.

Other near neighbors were concerned about density, and transient tenants in the apartments, which range in size from 350 sqft to over 800 sqft. One of the board members had concerns about the size of the rear yards, desiring more of a setback from the properties to the rear on Kater Street.

Site plan

A representative for the developer explained that the large commercial space necessitates the height and the dimensions of the building. Financially, the best return would be provided by a strictly residential use on this site, with nine condos. The second best return would come from three separated commercial spaces, with residences above.

With this plan, the combined commercial space will hopefully provide an anchor tenant on South Street West, and help the corridor continue to move in the positive direction it’s been headed for the past couple of years. And the additional apartments will provide more customers for South Street businesses.

This project will come back to SOSNA for a vote next month, with a couple of changes to address neighbor requests.

Full disclosure: OCF Realty is the parent company of Naked Philly.

13
COMMENTS
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Posted in Graduate Hospital | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments
  • http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/forum/southwest-center-city/30369-sosna-may-zoning-committee-meeting-5-17-12-recap.html#post496271 SOSNA May Zoning Committee Meeting 5-17-12 Recap?

    [...] [...]

  • http://twitter.com/brianbrews Brian Marsh

    Nearish neighbor here who unfortunately could not attend this meeting.  Had I been there I would’ve voiced my support for this project.  Shoulda coulda woulda.  Hopefully I’ll be able to attend next month’s meeting.

  • Guest

    Did “ACretin” get up and speak about this “mausoleum” like he/she planned on doing?

  • riderxcx

    I actually agree with the notion that Philadelphia’s density, in general, is too high. Our narrow roadways can not handle all of the traffic. Our expressways are notoriously clogged. Fortunately, I consider South St essentially an arm of Center City. So I am okay with the density here. But if you are not in Center City or immediately adjacent to Center City [e.g. Northern Liberties or Bella Vista] I do believe that the city should begin trending towards lower densities. I can’t be the only one tired of the concrete jungle! Can we have some green???

  • riderxcx

    Also… with Philadelphia’s many vacancies in parts of the city, such as Temple, I think that such areas should be redeveloped with twin homes instead of row homes. North Philadelphia, in general, could benefit from more green space in the form of front, back, and side yards on residential properties.

  • MP

    Oh for crying out loud. You moved to the 5th largest city in the country… what did you expect it was going to be like? Some people… 

  • http://cwmote.wordpress.com/ CW Mote

    I do hope you’re kidding. About 75% of the new development in North Philly has been suburban-style tract housing with lawns and driveways.

  • Luca

    It sounds like you took a wrong turn and ended up in Philadelphia, but were trying to get to Bucks County.

  • PBpieanear

    Can’t handle traffic?  Notoriously clogged expressways?  

    Have you ever stepped foot in any other part of the country?  Try the Beltway at rush hour.  Hell, try US-17 outside of Charleston, SC at 5pm.  People who use the Lincoln Tunnel every day would KILL for the Schuylkill.

  • riderxcx

    Okay… so because I have a difference of opinion, I deserve to be insulted? Whatever. I am entitled to my opinion and it is what it is. We can agree to disagree. Good day!

  • KYCO

    Retail is the only option for the first floor…I wouldn’t try and go the route you took on 1800 Block.  

  • http://nakedphilly.com/graduate-hospital/update-large-mixed-use-development-on-south-street-west-embraced-by-sosna/ Update: Large Mixed-Use Development on South Street West Embraced by SOSNA | NakedPhilly

    [...] month, we gave you the heads up about a proposed mixed-use development at a long blighted, triple wide lot on South Street West. Earlier this week, representatives for the developer presented this project at 1612-16 South St. [...]

  • http://www.city-data.com/forum/city-vs-city/1427552-downtown-philadelphia-vs-seattle-33.html#post28938553 Downtown Philadelphia vs Seattle – Page 33 – City-Data Forum

    [...] 1612 South Street- 2,500 sq ft of retail/commercial http://nakedphilly.com/graduate-hosp…th-renderings/ Southstar Lofts- 10,079 sq ft of retail http://www.southstarlofts.com/ The Sansom- retail sq ftge [...]

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