Germantown Avenue has some of the most incredible buildings. Stroll down this commercial corridor, and you’ll find significant structures of all shapes, sizes, and styles. The housing stock surrounding the avenue is incredible as well. Germantown is really one of the most unique and beautiful parts of Philadelphia.
In July, we covered the plan to convert the former Germantown High School complex into 352 residential units. Just a couple of blocks down Germantown Avenue from that site, it looks like another large project is in the works on the parking lot of the Settlement Music School at 6128 Germantown Ave.
6128 Germantown Ave. was originally built in 1854 as the home for paper mill owner Charles Magarge. The building was subsequently used as the Franklin Boy’s School, The Young Republicans Club, and The Germantown Colored YWCA. Today, the Settlement Music House is located in the historic structure. The 124,935 square foot property encompasses the original building, a modern addition off the back, and a humungous surface parking lot.
Zoning permits were pulled on July 21st to construct a mixed-use building on the parking lot at the corner of Germantown Ave. and Tulpehocken St. The project will include 50 residential units and ground floor retail space along with 17 bicycle spaces and a roof deck. 5 of the residential units will be affordable.
We haven’t seen the building renderings, but think the project should have some positive impacts on Germantown. The current parking lot disrupts the flow of the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor. This project will help mitigate that and will add another commercial space to the strip. The additional people that move into the homes that this project will provide should also help existing businesses gain more customers.
How do you feel about this project?
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