Proposed 260-apartment development to revive long-vacant site on Ridge Avenue in East Falls.

A new residential project is on the horizon for the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, with plans revealed for a development of 260 apartments primarily consisting of one-bedroom units. The proposed site at 4401 Ridge Avenue, which spans nearly two acres, has remained vacant and obscured by trees for years. Previously, the property was owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority and was home to a dozen rental units until the late 1990s. Currently, the site is under an agreement of sale, as confirmed by the agency.

The proposed plans, which surfaced on the Philadelphia Planning Commission’s website, feature a six-story building designed by Stokes Architecture & Design. The developer remains undisclosed, but the zoning documentation includes a signature from Eric Marshall, principal of MGMT Residential. This Northwest Philadelphia-based company manages a significant number of residential units across various neighborhoods, including Roxborough and Manayunk. While MGMT Residential will manage the property post-construction, they will not be the owners of the new development, according to the project’s zoning attorney, Richard DeMarco.

The development is expected to include 217 parking spaces alongside approximately 8,000 square feet of commercial space, as stated by the East Falls Community Council, which has been actively negotiating with the developers. Community discussions have highlighted concerns regarding traffic, parking availability, and the predominance of smaller units. Despite this, Hilary Langer, zoning chair for the neighborhood group, mentions a strong demand for one-bedroom apartments, citing a vacancy rate of nearly 10%, which aligns with the natural turnover in rental markets.

Recent statistics indicate that the neighborhood has seen the construction of 115 two-bedroom apartments since 2021, of which a quarter remain vacant. In contrast, 399 one-bedroom or studio apartments were built in the same timeframe, with a significantly lower vacancy rate of only 12.5%.

The development project will proceed to a hearing with the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 25, with an earlier advisory appearance scheduled for the Civic Design Review committee on March 3. Notably, the latest proposal marks a departure from a prior one submitted in 2021 by Atapco Properties, which included fewer apartments and a less pedestrian-friendly layout. The new design positions the apartment building closer to the sidewalk, a change that has been met with positive feedback from local stakeholders who advocate for increased walkability in the area.

As East Falls continues to evolve, this development represents a significant step towards addressing housing needs while contributing to the neighborhood’s dynamic landscape. Media News Source will continue to monitor developments related to this project and its implications for local residents.