Philadelphia · Graduate Hospital · #ZP-2025-005498
1601 Washington Ave parking and housing
1601 Washington Ave, Graduate Hospital, PA · 10 homes, apartments
About this project
A zoning variance is requested at 1601 Washington Ave in Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, for a detached parking structure with 39 spaces and 13 bike spaces, alongside a 10-unit multifamily use.
Official description: PERMIT For the erection of a detached structure that includes 13 bicycle parking spaces and structured parking for 39 spaces (including 2 accessible, 1 van accessible, and 2 electric vehicle spaces) accessed via the adjacent lot (draft easement agreement provided). Size and location per plans. For the proposed uses of Multi-Family Household Living (10 dwelling units) with accessory parking, and Non-Accessory Parking.
- Plan type
- Zoning Board appeal (Variance)
- Status
- Zoning Board: Complete
Filing history
- 2025-11-20 · #ZP-2025-005498 · Zoning Board appeal (Variance)
- 2025-08-27 · #ZP-2024-011946 · Building permit (new construction)
- 2025-03-28 · #ZP-2024-011946 · Zoning Board appeal (Variance) · 285 lots/units
- 2024-11-18 · #ZP-2024-011447 · Building permit (new construction)
- 2024-11-18 · #ZP-2024-011450 · Building permit (new construction)
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The county record describes a zoning variance request at 1601 Washington Ave for a detached parking structure with 39 car spaces and 13 bike spaces. It would serve a 10-unit multifamily use. A variance is permission to depart from the zoning rules.
The address is the former Hoa Binh Plaza site, a large, mostly vacant, formerly industrial lot. Public coverage describes a much larger redevelopment there by OCF Realty: about 275 apartments, roughly 40,000 square feet of commercial space, a public plaza and underground parking. The city's Zoning Board of Adjustment approved variances for that plan in August 2025. Coverage noted both support and opposition. Critics raised concerns about displacement, design and shadows.
No source found describes the 10-unit and 39-space filing itself. It may be a separate piece of the site or a later change, but that is not confirmed.
What it could mean nearby
- Parking: a 39-space structure could shift where residents park and where cars enter and leave the site, but no traffic study was found.
- Housing: 10 homes is small. The larger approved plan for the site would add far more homes, including some set aside as affordable.
- Site use: coverage says the lot has been largely vacant, so redevelopment would replace an unused industrial property.
Where it stands
The county shows a filing dated 2025-11-20 asking for a variance. No hearing date or decision for this specific request was found. Next, the zoning board usually holds a public hearing and then issues a decision, which can be appealed.
- Nov 20, 2025 Latest county filing for the 10-unit and 39-space parking variance request
- Aug 2025 Zoning Board of Adjustment granted variances for the larger mixed-use plan at the same address, per news coverage
- Jul 2025 OCF Realty bought the 1.35-acre site, per news coverage
Want to weigh in? The city's Zoning Board of Adjustment decides variance requests, and residents can usually comment at its public hearing or through the registered community organization for the area.
Who's behind it
OCF Realty · A Philadelphia developer and real estate brokerage that has built other large projects along Washington Avenue, including at 2101 Washington.
Around the web
- Large-scale apartment building on track to replace former Hoa Binh PlazaWHYY · Aug 28, 2025Describes OCF Realty's larger plan at 1601 Washington Ave and the zoning board's approval of its variances.
Planning terms explained
- Variance
- Special permission from the zoning board to build something the zoning rules would not normally allow.
- Zoning Board of Adjustment
- The Philadelphia body that holds hearings and decides variance requests.
- Multifamily
- A building with several separate homes, such as apartments.
- Community benefits agreement
- A deal between a developer and neighborhood groups that commits the developer to specific local benefits, such as affordable units.
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: $2.4M
- ~60 roofing squares
- ~10 HVAC systems
- ~10 kitchens / 20+ bathrooms
- ~10,000 sq ft of finished living space
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