Market Insights  /  University City & Powelton
Development Watch · University City & Powelton

4217-19 Lancaster AveUnder construction

6-unit residential new construction, zoned CMX2.

A 6-unit residential building is set to rise at 4217-19 Lancaster Ave in University City & Powelton, the kind of by-right infill quietly reshaping the block. It was cleared to build in Oct 20, 2025.

The 2,404 sq ft site is zoned CMX2, which supports a building on the order of 3 stories by right. The parcel last changed hands in 2020. The plans call for for the erection of an attached 3- story building with a roof deck and roof deck access structure for the use of two (2) vacant commercial spaces (separate fit out permits required prior to occupancy) on the first floor and r2 occupancy (6 dwelling units) above first floor. all work to be done per approved plans. if field conditions vary contact design engineer prior to the start of any work. **a covered walkway or sidewalk closure shall be required within the building facade in accordance with section 3306 of the 2018 ibc. separate permits required for all other work. ***deed needs to recorded to consolidate premises a and premises b prior to the issuance of certificate of occupancy***.

The owner of record is Bq Lancaster Ave LLC. The project's plan drawings are on file — worth a look for anyone underwriting the surrounding block.

It isn't rising in isolation. Within a half-mile, 12 other major projects have broken ground since 2022 — roughly 146 units of new supply — including the 20-unit project at 716 N 43rd St, the 31-unit project at 4324 Lancaster Ave, the 10-unit project at 4129 Ogden St. That kind of concentration is exactly what pulls land values, and buyer attention, toward a block.

We'll update this page as the project progresses — leasing, retail tenants, renderings, and construction milestones as they surface. The relevant question for investors and agents: what are the surrounding parcels worth to a builder now that this is coming?

📄 View the project's plan drawings (PDF)
Schematic massing — illustrative of the ~3-story by-right envelope, not the developer's design.
Units
6
Zoning
CMX2
By-right envelope
~3 stories
Lot
2,404 sq ft
Last sale
2020
Cleared to build
Oct 20, 2025
For developers & investors

Underpriced parcels near this project

As this density arrives, InvestPHL is tracking 107 under-built parcels within a half-mile that a developer could still acquire and build — each carrying a builder's max bid. Addresses and figures are members-only.

~106buildable units
████████ Street
RM1 · 0.24 mi away
Max bid to a builder $1.4M · Opportunity Score 95
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~61buildable units
████████ Street
RM1 · 0.44 mi away
Max bid to a builder $1.1M · Opportunity Score 90
Unlock →
~79buildable units
████████ Street
CMX2 · 0.47 mi away
Max bid to a builder $1.2M · Opportunity Score 89
Unlock →
~47buildable units
████████ Street
CMX2 · 0.48 mi away
Max bid to a builder $689K · Opportunity Score 80
Unlock →
~43buildable units
████████ Street
CMX2 · 0.30 mi away
Max bid to a builder $655K · Opportunity Score 78
Unlock →
Unlock the 107 nearby opportunities →
The block

What else is rising nearby

Major (8+ unit) new-construction projects filed within a half-mile since 2022 — the density gathering around this site.

20u716 N 43rd St0.15 mi
31u4324 Lancaster Ave0.16 mi
10u4129 Ogden St0.16 mi
9u4408 Lancaster Ave0.21 mi
10u893 Belmont Ave0.22 mi
9u675 N 41st St0.23 mi
12u748 N 40th St0.26 mi
9u871 N Preston St0.28 mi
Progress

How this project is moving

Life-safety systems ~78% complete
Estimated from the construction permit sequence — an approximation of stage, not a precise schedule.
Every logged milestone appears here — highlighted ones are the headline stages; the rest track interim construction activity. Checked daily.
Compiled by InvestPHL. Unit counts, scope, and ownership are as recorded and subject to revision; the massing figure is a schematic illustration of the by-right envelope, not the developer's design or a marketing rendering. Verify zoning, status, and title with counsel before acting. InvestPHL does not list, market, or represent any property, buyer, or seller.