12-unit residential new construction, zoned CMX2.
A 12-unit residential building is set to rise at 1540 Frankford Ave in Fishtown & East Kensington, the kind of by-right infill quietly reshaping the block. It was cleared to build in Nov 9, 2021.
The 23,740 sq ft site is zoned CMX2, which supports a building on the order of 4 stories by right. The plans call for new construction of a four (4) story building with roof deck and pilot house access structures for use as a shell commercial space (use registration & fit-out permits required prior to occupancy) and twelve (12) dwelling units as per approved plans. building to be fully sprinklered per nfpa 13 and include standpipes per nfpa 14. fire watch required per code bulletin f-2001. *2018 ibc review* **separate permits required for mep and fire suppression work** amendment approved 2/10/22 amend new construction permit cp-2021-004133 for changes to foundations and basement layout as per approved plans. amendment approved 11/17/23 amend new construction permit cp-2021-004133 for change to electrical room in basement as per approved plans. amendment approved 5/4/24 amend new construction permit cp-2021-004133 for changes to basement layout as per approved plans. .
The owner of record is 1538 Frankford 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 559 units of new supply — including the 9-unit project at 1700 Frankford Ave, the 55-unit project at 1713 N Front St, the 114-unit project at 1442 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 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.
Unlock the 107 nearby opportunities →Major (8+ unit) new-construction projects filed within a half-mile since 2022 — the density gathering around this site.