Philadelphia · Fishtown - Lower Kensington · #CP-2025-004158
1716 Frankford Ave
1716 Frankford Ave, Fishtown - Lower Kensington, PA · 40 homes, mixed use
About this project
A new three-story mixed-use building with 40 dwelling units above shell commercial space in Fishtown - Lower Kensington, Philadelphia, amended twice for design changes.
Official description: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE (3) STORY BUILDING WITH COMMON ROOF DECK AND PILOT HOUSES FOR USE AS SHELL COMMERCIAL SPACE (USE REGISTRATION & FIT-OUT PERMITS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) AND FORTY (40) DWELLING UNITS AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13. SEE PERMIT SP-2025-000988 FOR ASSOCIATED EXCAVATION WORK. *2018 IBC REVIEW* **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK** AMENDMENT APPROVED 2/17/26 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2025-004158 FOR CHANGES TO SLAB/FOUNDATION, BUILDING SHAFTS (ELEVATOR & MECHANICAL), ROOF PROTECTION AND OVERALL BUILDING DIMENSIONS AS PER APPROVED PLANS. AMENDMENT APPROVED 10/3/26 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2025-004158 TO SUBDIVISION THE SHELL COMMERCIAL SPACES AND ADD INTERIOR RAMPS, ASSOCIATED CHANGES TO STOREFRONT & RATED ASSEMBLIES AND OTHER DETAILS AS PER APPROVED PLANS.
- Applicant
- SWC PALMER AND FRANKFORD
- Contractor
- Tester Construction Group LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- A-2 Assembly (Food)|R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2025-10-23 · #CP-2025-004158 · Building permit (new construction) · 40 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The project is a new three-story building at 1716 Frankford Avenue in Fishtown. It would hold 40 apartments above ground-floor commercial space. Per Philly YIMBY, the whole building is about 46,500 square feet and about 38 feet tall. The commercial space is about 13,000 square feet, with shopfronts along Frankford Avenue and the residential entrance near Palmer Street.
The building would have a shared roof deck and a green roof. Seven parking spaces are shown, reached from Blair Street. The county records describe the commercial space as an unfinished "shell" that a tenant would fit out later. No tenant has been confirmed.
Philly YIMBY reports that the project's zoning approvals date from October 2022 and were amended in July 2024. The amendments moved the rooftop stair and elevator enclosures and changed the roof-deck and green-roof layout. Permits were reported as issued in late October 2025. The estimated cost is $8 million. No news coverage of organized opposition was found.
What it could mean nearby
- Adds 40 homes along a busy commercial corridor, which could bring more customers to nearby shops.
- Ground-floor commercial space could add storefronts and some jobs once tenants are found. No tenants have been announced.
- Only seven parking spaces are shown, so most residents would likely rely on transit, walking, biking or street parking.
- Construction would bring temporary jobs and activity to Frankford Avenue, Palmer Street and Blair Street.
Where it stands
Zoning approvals are in place, they were amended twice for design changes, and building permits were reported as issued in October 2025. Construction normally follows, with inspections along the way and a certificate of occupancy once the building is finished.
- Oct 27, 2025 Philly YIMBY reported that permits had been issued for the 40-unit building
- Oct 23, 2025 Latest county filing
- Jul 2024 Zoning approvals amended, per Philly YIMBY, to change the roof-deck, green-roof and rooftop enclosure layout
- Oct 2022 Zoning approvals first issued, per Philly YIMBY
Want to weigh in? Zoning approval has already been granted, so remaining steps are mostly permit and inspection work by the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. Residents can contact their registered community organization or council district office with questions.
Who's behind it
SWC Palmer and Frankford (owner); Tester Construction Group LLC (contractor) · SWC Palmer and Frankford is the property owner on the filing. Tester Construction Group is a Philadelphia contractor focused on mixed-use and multifamily new construction.
Around the web
- Permits Issued for 40-Unit Mixed-Use Building at 1716 Frankford Avenue in FishtownPhilly YIMBY · Oct 27, 2025Gives the building's size, height, parking, cost, parties and the 2022 and 2024 zoning approval dates.
- 1716 Frankford AvenuePhilly YIMBYLists Philly YIMBY's coverage of this address.
Planning terms explained
- Mixed use
- A building that combines different uses, here homes above ground-floor shops or offices.
- Shell commercial space
- Ground-floor space built with basic structure and utilities, left unfinished for a future tenant to complete.
- Zoning approval
- City permission confirming that a project's use, size and design fit the rules for the site.
- Amendment
- A formal change to an approved plan, such as a revised rooftop layout.
- Pilot house
- A small rooftop enclosure that holds stairs or an elevator exit to the roof deck.
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: $22.4M
- ~1,280 roofing squares
- ~40 HVAC systems
- ~40 kitchens / 80+ bathrooms
- ~112,000 sq ft of finished living space
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