Philadelphia · Francisville · #CP-2024-001333
1638 Ridge Ave
1638 Ridge Ave, Francisville, PA · 12 homes, mixed use
About this project
A new five-story building at 1638 Ridge Ave in Francisville with a cellar, a roof deck, a ground-floor commercial shell and 12 dwelling units.
Official description: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A FIVE (5) STORY BUILDING WITH CELLAR, ROOF DECK AND ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURES FOR USE AS A SHELL COMMERCIAL SPACE (USE REGISTRATION & FIT-OUT PERMITS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND TWELVE (12) DWELLING UNITS AS PER APPROVED PLANS. STUDS AND SHEATHING IN EXTERIOR WALLS REQUIRED TO BE FIRE RETARDANT TREATED FOR TYPE III CONSTRUCTION. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13 AND INCLUDE STANDPIPES PER NFPA 14. *2018 IBC REVIEW* **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK**
- Applicant
- 1640 RIDGE LLC
- Contractor
- SHAWN BULLARD
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- A-3 Assembly (Worship, Recreation, Amusement, Other)|B Business (Office)|R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|U Utility and Miscellaneous
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2026-06-12 · #CP-2024-001333 · Building permit (new construction) · 12 lots/units
- 2024-08-10 · #ZP-2024-002453 · Building permit (new construction)
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The project is a new five-story building at 1638 Ridge Ave in Francisville, Philadelphia. It will have a cellar, a roof deck, a ground-floor commercial space left as an unfinished shell for a future tenant, and 12 homes on the upper floors.
The building is about 15,000 square feet and 55 feet tall, on a small lot of roughly 3,500 square feet. Separate street entrances on Ridge Avenue will serve the shop space and the homes. It will have an elevator, balconies and four bike parking spots. A news report said the permits have been issued, and the lot is zoned for mixed commercial and residential use. The reported construction cost is about $1.75 million.
No opposition, community meetings or named shop tenants turned up. The sources do not say what is on the lot now or when building will start.
What it could mean nearby
- Adds 12 homes along a stretch of Ridge Avenue that has seen a lot of new building.
- The ground-floor commercial space could bring a shop or office to the street once a tenant is found.
- Only four bike spots are planned and no car parking is mentioned, so street parking and transit use may matter for residents.
- Construction will likely mean temporary noise and sidewalk or lane disruption along Ridge Avenue.
Where it stands
Building permits have been reported as issued as of June 2026, so the project is cleared to start construction. Next come the separate trade permits (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire suppression), construction, inspections, and a use registration before anyone can occupy it.
- Jun 14, 2026 Local news outlet reported that permits were issued for the 12-unit building
- Jun 12, 2026 Latest county filing for the project
Want to weigh in? Permits are already issued, so no further public vote is known; questions can go to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections or the local neighborhood civic association.
Who's behind it
1640 Ridge LLC · The county filing lists this company, and a news report names Konkrete Investments as contractor and KORE Architecture as architect; no company website or other projects were found.
Around the web
- Permits Issued For 12-Unit Mixed-Use Building At 1638-40 Ridge Avenue In FrancisvillePhiladelphia YIMBY · Jun 14, 2026Reports permits issued for the five-story, 12-unit building and gives its size, zoning, cost, contractor and architect.
Planning terms explained
- CMX-2.5
- A Philadelphia zoning category for medium-density mixed commercial and residential buildings, usually with shops below and homes above.
- Shell commercial space
- A ground-floor space built without interior finishes so a future tenant can customize it.
- Cellar
- A below-ground level of the building, typically used for storage or mechanical equipment.
- Use registration
- A city approval confirming how the finished building or space will be used, needed before occupancy.
- Fit-out permit
- A permit for finishing the interior of a commercial space for a specific tenant.
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: $6.7M
- ~384 roofing squares
- ~12 HVAC systems
- ~12 kitchens / 24+ bathrooms
- ~33,600 sq ft of finished living space
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