Philadelphia · Old Kensington · #CP-2023-005480
1440 N Front St mixed-use building
1440 N Front St, Old Kensington, PA · 114 homes, mixed use
About this project
A seven-story building at 1440 N Front Street in Old Kensington with 114 dwelling units, a shell commercial space and an accessory parking garage.
Official description: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A SEVEN (7) STORY STRUCTURE TO INCLUDE WALK OUT ROOF DECK FOR USE AS A SHELL COMMERCIAL SPACE (USE REGISTRATION & FIT-OUT PERMITS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) AND ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN (114) DWELLING UNITS WITH ACCESSORY PARKING GARAGE AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO UTILIZE HORIZONTAL SEPARATIONS TO CREATE TWO (2) SEPARATE BUILDINGS WITH TWO (2) DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION TYPES (1ST & 2ND FLOORS - TYPE IA AND 3RD THROUGH 7TH FLOORS - TYPE IIIA). 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 10/22/24 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2023-005480 FOR CHANGE TO COMBUSTIBLE STAIRWAY CONSTRUCTION WITH THREE-HOUR STAIRWAY ENCLOSURE AT 1ST AND 2ND FLOOR LEVELS AS PER APPROVED PLANS AND BBS VARIANCE NO. MI-2024-005730. AMENDMENT APPROVED 6/23/26 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2023-005480 FOR CHANGE TO GROUND FLOOR WALL ASSEMBLY TYPE AS PER APPROVED PLANS.
- Applicant
- ARCHIVE VIII LLC
- Contractor
- Tester Construction Group LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- A-3 Assembly (Worship, Recreation, Amusement, Other)|M Mercantile (Retail)|R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|S-2 Storage (Low Hazard)|U Utility and Miscellaneous
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2024-07-26 · #CP-2023-005480 · Building permit (new construction) · 114 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The project is a seven-story building at 1440 N Front Street in Old Kensington, Philadelphia. It would hold 114 apartments, a ground-floor commercial space left unfinished for a future tenant, and a parking garage that serves the building.
Press coverage says the site sits right next to the Market-Frankford elevated transit line. It was described as a largely vacant site. Renderings show a roof deck, outdoor space at street level and balconies on many units. The architect is reported to be CANNOdesign.
City construction permits were reported as issued in July 2024, with Tester Construction Group as contractor and Archive VIII LLC as owner. A rental listing has marketed the building as "The Frame." No opposition or hearing coverage turned up, and no confirmed completion date was found.
What it could mean nearby
- Adds 114 homes next to elevated rail transit, so many residents could get around without a car.
- The on-site parking garage may keep some resident parking off neighborhood streets.
- A ground-floor commercial space could bring a shop or service to the Front Street block.
- Construction will likely mean temporary noise, truck traffic and sidewalk disruption.
Where it stands
Building permits were reported as issued in July 2024, so the project has city approval to build. Construction, then inspections and leasing, usually follow. Current construction progress was not confirmed.
- Jul 26, 2024 Latest county filing
- Jul 2024 Construction permits reported as issued for the seven-story building
- Apr 2023 Renderings of the 114-unit project published
Who's behind it
Archive VIII LLC (Archive Development) · Archive VIII LLC is the property owner on the filing; press coverage links the project to Archive Development, and Tester Construction Group is the contractor.
Around the web
- Construction Permits For 1440 North Front Street, Olde Kensington, PhiladelphiaPhilly YIMBY · Jul 1, 2024Reports permits issued for the seven-story, 114-unit building, naming the owner, contractor and architect.
- Renderings Revealed for 1440 Front Street in Olde KensingtonPhilly YIMBY · Apr 1, 2023Describes the design, with a roof deck, street-level outdoor space and balconies, on a largely vacant site.
- Fishtown/Kensington transit-oriented developmentThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Apr 20, 2023Describes the 114-unit project beside the Market-Frankford Line and links it to Archive Development.
Planning terms explained
- Mixed use
- A building that combines homes with shops, offices or other businesses.
- Shell commercial space
- A ground-floor business space built without interior finishes, so a future tenant can complete it.
- Accessory parking garage
- A parking area that serves the main building rather than being a separate use.
- Building permit
- City approval that allows construction to start once the plans meet code.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $63.8M
- ~3,648 roofing squares
- ~114 HVAC systems
- ~114 kitchens / 228+ bathrooms
- ~319,200 sq ft of finished living space
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