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

824 N 40th StUnder construction

5-unit residential new construction, zoned RM1.

A 5-unit residential building is set to rise at 824 N 40th St in University City & Powelton, the kind of by-right infill quietly reshaping the block. It was cleared to build in Dec 11, 2025.

The 2,057 sq ft site is zoned RM1, which supports a building on the order of 4 stories by right. Records show the parcel last traded in 2021 for $90K. The plans call for for the erection of an attached 3-story structure with roof access structure for access to an occupiable roof deck. structure for use as multi-family household living five (5) dwelling units. the building is fully sprinklered in accordance with nfpa 13r. all work to be done per approved plans. if field conditions vary contact design engineer prior to the start of any work. separate permiits to be obtained for all other work. **a covered walkway or sidewalk closure shall be required within 9 feet of the building facade in accordance with section 3306 of the 2018 ibc. separate building and/or streets department permit required prior to the start of any work. ** ** excavation permit required ** project includes underpinning **.

The owner of record is 824 N 40th St 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 174 units of new supply — including the 12-unit project at 748 N 40th St, the 9-unit project at 865 N 40th St, the 9-unit project at 871 N Preston 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 ~4-story by-right envelope, not the developer's design.
Units
5
Zoning
RM1
By-right envelope
~4 stories
Lot
2,057 sq ft
Last sale
$90K · 2021
Cleared to build
Dec 11, 2025
For developers & investors

Underpriced parcels near this project

As this density arrives, InvestPHL is tracking 98 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 · 0.35 mi away
Max bid to a builder $1.4M · Opportunity Score 95
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~38buildable units
████████ Street
RM1 · 0.47 mi away
Max bid to a builder $600K · Opportunity Score 83
Unlock →
~26buildable units
████████ Street
RM1 · 0.15 mi away
Max bid to a builder $402K · Opportunity Score 74
Unlock →
~37buildable units
████████ Street
CMX2 · 0.44 mi away
Max bid to a builder $572K · Opportunity Score 74
Unlock →
~23buildable units
████████ Street
RM1 · 0.30 mi away
Max bid to a builder $239K · Opportunity Score 72
Unlock →
Unlock the 98 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.

12u748 N 40th St0.08 mi
9u865 N 40th St0.08 mi
9u871 N Preston St0.12 mi
9u871 N Preston St0.12 mi
12u3900 Aspen St0.21 mi
10u4129 Ogden St0.23 mi
10u644-46 N 40th St0.23 mi
8u657 N Preston St0.26 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.