Back in 2019, you may remember big plans for two vacant lots in Poplar just west of Northern Liberties at the northeast and northwest corners of Darien Street and Poplar Street. These lots sit just east of the elevated rail tracks that run along 9th Street. The 2019 plans called for two 11-story buildings with 388 residential units.
In the years after those plans were released, the project was downsized to a shorter and less dense version and was given the name The Darien. Then, time went by and not much happened at the site other than some asphalt paving.
Well, it looks like construction is now imminent. Residents of The Poplar, the building just west of the site of The Darien, were alerted by email that The Darien will be breaking ground this week. When we went by the site today, construction barriers were being shuffled around in anticipation of the groundbreaking and sitework was underway on the back end of the western parcel.
The western parcel at 900 North Darien Street will soon hold a 5-story, 118,542 square foot building with 152 residential units, commercial space, 57 automobile parking spots, 51 bicycle stalls, and a roof deck. That building will be made up of two wings that are connected with a sky bridge.
On the eastern parcel at 900 North 8th Street, a 5-story building with 60 residential units, commercial space, 12 automobile parking spots, 20 bicycle stalls, and a roof deck will be constructed.
We’re excited to see these two long-vacant parcels developed into hundreds of homes for people. This project should help further tie together the Poplar and Northern Liberties neighborhoods. With all of the residential units being built in this area, we also think it might be time to open a 9th and Girard regional rail station.
How do you feel about this project and it’s design? Are you excited to see these lots get developed?
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