New Apartment Building on City Avenue is an Example of Transit-oriented Development
City Avenue is the border between West Philadelphia and Lower Merion and has many apartment buildings along it. City Avenue is, also, bisected by two regional rail lines, the Cynwyd Line and the Paoli (Main) Line at Overbrook Station. The Main Line runs through some of the wealthiest towns in the region and into Center City. The Overbrook Station had a vacant lot across 63rd Street at 6300 City Avenue and now that lot is about to be developed into a five-story apartment building. This building is an example of transit-oriented development, which is development that has a dense mix of housing near public transit stops to encourage more people to use that public transit. The new building is being built by DP Partners and designed by Stuart G. Rosenberg Architects.
The new building will have 68 rental units. They will be one, two, and three bedroom units, so they will attract a diverse mix of tenants. It will have a modern design, with a mix of brick and stone, and large windows. Some of the windows will have rectangular bays and the corner of 63rd and City will have a glass curtain wall running from the ground to the roof. The roof will have cantilevers. The building will have a fitness center, roof decks, and a courtyard. There will be 21 parking spaces in an underground parking garage, but since it is transit-oriented development there isn’t a need for parking spaces for most residents. This apartment building will be located on the edge of the Overbrook Farms Historic District and is meant to fit in with similar sized buildings surrounding it.
City Avenue is likely to see more similar development, as Philadelphia and Lower Merion have recently changed zoning on City Avenue to require buildings be built along the sidewalk and to allow taller buildings on some sections. Transit-oriented development will continue to be popular on City Avenue, as well. 6300 City Avenue adds to the area’s revitalization.
By, Gabriel Gottlieb
