20-unit residential new construction, zoned CMX3.
A 20-unit residential building is set to rise at 143-47 W Girard Ave in Northern Liberties, the kind of by-right infill quietly reshaping the block. It was cleared to build in Feb 12, 2021.
The 1,370 sq ft site is zoned CMX3, which supports a building on the order of 6 stories by right. The parcel last changed hands in 2024. The plans call for new construction of a seven (7) story structure to include roof deck and basement accessory parking garage for use as twenty (20) dwelling units and shell commercial space (use registration & fit-out permits required prior to occupancy) as per approved plans. building to utilize horizontal separations to create two (2) separate buildings with two (2) different construction types (basement, 1st & 2nd floors - type ia and 3rd through 7th floors - type iiia). work to include temporary excavation shoring and underpinning to be monitored by a pa licensed pe at all times. fire retardant treated studs and sheathing required for type iii construction. building to be fully sprinklered per nfpa 13 and include standpipes per nfpa 14. fire watch required per code bulletin f-2001. *2018 ibc* **separate permits required for mep & fire suppression work** amendment approved 8/31/22 amend new construction permit cp-2020-006451 to reduce size of seventh floor to a pilot house, creating a six (6) story building, removing sub-basement, changing location of horizontal building separation to second floor level and adding a horizontal exit as per approved plans. amendment approved 11/4/25 amend new construction permit cp-2020-006451 for changes to building layout including removal of mezzanine and reduction of overall building height as per approved plans. .
The owner of record is Soma Development 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 993 units of new supply — including the 84-unit project at 130 W Girard Ave, the 84-unit project at 130 W Girard Ave, the 10-unit project at 1139-41 N 3rd 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)As this density arrives, InvestPHL is tracking 130 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.
Unlock the 130 nearby opportunities →Major (8+ unit) new-construction projects filed within a half-mile since 2022 — the density gathering around this site.