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Thu
Feb 16
2012

Apple Lofts on the Way?

The old Apple Storage building currently sits abandoned at 52nd and Willows Ave., looming over the mostly two-story homes that surround it. A big player in the Philadelphia development scene is planning to convert this building into Apple Lofts, a mixed-use residential and commercial property.

Looking south from Baltimore Ave. A little dark, we know

The project will bring 112 studio, one, and two-bedroom units priced at market rate ($800 – $1400) to an area that’s a mix of row homes and businesses on the commercial strip along 52nd St. A 2000 sqft ground-floor commercial space and rear-parking for 92 cars is also part of the project.

Closer look

Hope they keep the old signage

Another angle

Iron-Stone is the company that’s behind this project. They’re the ones who transformed 45 N. 3rd Street in Old City, where the fitness center Sweat lines the ground-floor, and 1425 Arch St., the former YMCA building behind City Hall. Ooh, and we’ve got some renderings from Morrisey Design!

A look to the future

From another angle. Looks nice.

And there is plenty of development coming to West Philly, from Market St. down to below Baltimore Ave. There’s the new CHOP facility being built at 46th and Market Sts., the potential move of police headquarters to the Provident Building in that same area, and the recent approval of the Croydon restoration at 49th and Locust Sts. If someone comes out and redevelops the old West Philly High, we’ll really be in business.

The project was set to be approved by the ZBA the first week of January, but a decision was postponed. Developers hosted several community meetings, including some with members of Cedar Park Neighbors before that date, but at the ZBA hearing neighbors from a group called Southwest Neighborhood District Services raised some concerns. That caused the ZBA board to postpone a decision. In the meantime, developers met with that group yesterday.

If all goes as planned, the developers hope to break ground this spring and finish the project within twelve months.

11
COMMENTS
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Posted in University City | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments
  • Avid Reader

    What is with all of the twisted camera shots lately?  Can we just get straight shots that show the buildings?  Iit would be so much easier on my eyes….thanks!

  • Amara

    At the meeting, the opponents presented themselves as the Community Achievement Association, not Southwest Neighborhood District Services.

    Here are links to the group’s list of grievances and demands regarding the project:
    http://i43.tinypic.com/2d8ffja.jpg 
    http://i42.tinypic.com/rkn407.jpg 

  • Anonymous

    Whoa, deja vu!

  • Onedependent

    It would be funny if they made renderings of gloomy grey philly days like in those photos. Maybe add flying trash for good measure.

  • Jojgn

    Is it just me or does anyone else think it will be difficult to attract market rate renters on this block?

  • Guest

    Not really, apts in not especially well-kept Victorians are going at about the same rates except this will be all new and high-end with parking. You can’t tell from the gloomy pictures but Willows Ave leads directly to Dock Street and the Satellite Cafe.

  • Amara

    Residents of Cedar Park or 52nd/54th-Springfield/Cedar can sign this petition so that Councilwoman Blackwell is aware of the level of SUPPORT this project has in the community: 
    http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-apple-lofts/

  • http://nakedphilly.com/university-city/an-urban-farm-on-baltimore-avenue/ An Urban Farm on Baltimore Avenue | NakedPhilly

    [...] becomes interested in the lot, which could become more enticing given the (hopefully) upcoming Apple Lofts development just two blocks, they are willing to consider letting the lot go for development. But [...]

  • http://nakedphilly.com/university-city/cedar-park-survey/ Cedar Park Neighbors Asking The Community About Their Vision for the Future of Their Neighborhood | NakedPhilly

    [...] shop (those three all on the 5000 block of Baltimore Ave.). With the projected development of the Apple Lofts just south of 52nd & Baltimore, this area seems to be on the upswing. Baltimore [...]

  • http://nakedphilly.com/university-city/abandoned-construction-site-on-the-west-philly-fringe/ Abandoned Construction Site on the West Philly Fringe | NakedPhilly

    [...] the West Philly rebuild has come and will go. Perhaps it will stretch beyond 52nd Street? If the Apple Lofts project just south of 51st and Baltimore manifests, it could provide some help. And if the new Rue [...]

  • http://nakedphilly.com/university-city/apple-lofts-project-on-the-ropes-or-out-of-gas/ Apple Lofts Project on the Ropes? Or Out of Gas? | NakedPhilly

    [...] been unable to secure the necessary financing that would enable them to embark on the ambitious Apple Lofts development just south of 52nd and Baltimore, according to Andrew Eisenstein, a managing partner [...]

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