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Mon
Jun 11
2012

Another Massive Project Coming to South Kensington

If you’ve been to South Kensington at any point, you’ve probably been struck by the number of vacant lots, ripe for redevelopment. And make no mistake, developers are paying attention and several larger projects are already underway or just on the horizon. Recently, we gave you the lowdown on eighteen units coming to 171-79 W Jefferson St., across from a graveyard and a ball field. And a few months ago, we showed you a contemporary new construction project at 2nd and Oxford Sts. that’s currently half-finished.

171 W Jefferson

2nd and Oxford

Today, we have news for you about a planned development that’s next to the planned eighteen home development on Jefferson St., from the same developers who are working at 2nd & Oxford. According to the zoning application, RPM Builders are hoping to redevelop an overgrown parcel at 1501 N 2nd St.

Former lumber mill

More of the 13K+ sqft lot

The plan for this large lot is to build two 4-story buildings, each with ten apartments. Each apartment will have a corresponding parking space. The two buildings will also have a vacant commercial space, ostensibly to improve the retail mix in the area. We’re guessing that the design will somewhat resemble the building at 2nd and Oxford Sts., though we have no confirmation on that as of yet.

Just think, two large, adjacent, and currently vacant lots on Jefferson Street will soon have eighteen new houses and twenty new apartments, along with a couple of new commercial spaces. That would have been unbelievable just a couple of years ago. Today, it’s met with a shrug, as if we’ve come to expect it.

There’s simply no doubt about it, things are moving and shaking in South Kensington.

6
COMMENTS
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Posted in Kensington | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments
  • CW Mote

    This is welcome news, but the massive development that really really needs to happen in the neighborhood is at the giant lot bound by 2nd, Master, Thompson and American Streets (makes the other lots discussed here look tiny in comparison). I believe there is one house with a Mexican restaurant still standing on this whole lot. It is curious why all this development appears to be skipping this spot and happening farther north. Wouldn’t one block north from No. Libs.make more sense than three or four blocks?

  • veggie

     there is a plan for that lot… when it will start who knows. probably a lending/financing issue.

    as for the OP, i kind of like that little 1-story building, but i’ll assume it’s not going to be retained for the new development. would have been interesting to see if it could be salvaged and incorporated, though.

  • locustst

    what’s the plan for the huge lot- large-scale development or cluster of townhouses? i feel like the only way development happens there is in one fell swoop.  who wants to buy a house that sits in the middle of an otherwise vacant lot?  

  • qguy

    That Mexican restaurant is called Que Chula es Puebla. Great unpretentious home-style Mexican food. Craig LaBan reviewed it back in 09. For the curious, his review is here: http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/20090510_Que_Chula_es_Puebla.html

  • Fecteau03

    The lot at 2nd and Master is owned by the same family that owns Rabinovitch glass.  They’ve spent a considerable sum remediating the site, and are waiting for financing.  They’ve proposed townhomes wrapping around the site.  It’s all preliminary – revised site plans still need city approvals.

  • http://twitter.com/phillyrealty Christopher Somers

    One of the many reasons that this has been my top zipcode in Philadelphia for appreciation (for both homeowners and investors).

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