16-unit residential new construction, zoned IRMX.
A 16-unit residential building is set to rise at 1421-23 E Columbia Ave in Fishtown & East Kensington, the kind of by-right infill quietly reshaping the block. It was cleared to build in Apr 26, 2019.
The 4,441 sq ft site is zoned IRMX, which supports a building on the order of 5 stories by right. Records show the parcel last traded in 2018 for $850K. The plans call for for the erection of a five story structure with roof deck and roof deck access structure; for use vacant industrial use (use registration required prior to occupancy) with interior parking garage for five(5) cars with one(1) accessible space and with seven(7) 1a class bicycle spaces in an accessible route at first floor in the same building with multi-family household living ( 16 dwelling units). entire building to be sprinkelred per nfpa 13 and equipped with a standpipe system. separate permit required for mep and fire suppression work. building to be provided with type b dwelling units. amend permit 943717 on 3/11/21 to make the following changes: 1) convert the vacant commercial space at the 1st floor level to a dwelling unit for a total of (17) dwelling units from the 1st the 5th floor level. 2) in lieu of providing standby power systems per 2702.1.1, horizontal exits in rated barriers are added on all floors above the level of discharge. per 2018 ibc section 1009.2.1 exception 1, the elevator is not required to be part of the accessible means of egress when the building is fully sprinklered and horizonal exits are located above the level of discharge. horizontal exits are provided in accordance with ibc section 1026. .
The owner of record is 1421 East Columbia Ave. 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 582 units of new supply — including the 9-unit project at 1700 Frankford Ave, the 40-unit project at 1716 Frankford Ave, the 55-unit project at 1713 N Front 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 95 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 95 nearby opportunities →Major (8+ unit) new-construction projects filed within a half-mile since 2022 — the density gathering around this site.