It was only about 5 years ago that Front St. seemed like the unsettled western frontier of Fishtown. No one wanted to live under the noisy El train tracks and the retail scene was sparse. Pioneers gradually started developing along the thoroughfare, enticed by its prime location and dense mixed-used zoning classification (CMX-3 and CMX-2.5). Now, there are several new large mixed-use buildings on this stretch, people are renting apartments and buying condos under the El, and some of the best restaurants in the city have opened up shop here. Quite the transformation in a short period of time. A lot of people are probably kicking themselves for not buying property on Front St. back when it was disregarded. I know I am.
It looks like we can add another mixed-use building to the Front St. development pipeline. Zoning permits were just issued for the demolition of the former Fishtown Bike-n-Beans building, the consolidation of 1321-25 N. Front St., and the by-right construction of a 7-story building with 36 residential units and ground floor commercial space. 3 parking spots will be located off-site on the surface parking lot across the street to satisfy minimum parking requirements.
Fishtown Bike-n-Beans sadly closed down a few months ago. If you ever see me cruising around town, I’ll likely be riding a bike I got from there. I’ll miss Fishtown Bike-n-Beans and their A+ customer service, but am happy to see 36 new homes built in the neighborhood so close to the Girard El Station. Hopefully, the new retail space will attract a local business to the corridor as well.
Renderings of the project haven’t been released publicly, but it you happen to have gotten ahold of them, send them our way.
How do you feel about this project? Did you ever imagine all of this development along Front St. under the El train tracks?
Kyle is a commercial real estate agent at Rittenhouse Realty Advisors, a homeowner, and a real estate investor in Philadelphia. Kyle uses his extensive Philadelphia real estate market knowledge to help his clients buy and sell multifamily investment properties, development opportunities, and industrial sites.
Email Kyle@RittenhouseRealty.com if you are looking to buy or sell a property
Instagram: @agent.kyle