Philadelphia · Fishtown - Lower Kensington · #CP-2025-004701
1871 Frankford Ave: mixed-use three-story building
1871 Frankford Ave, Fishtown - Lower Kensington, PA · 4 homes, mixed use
About this project
A three-story attached building with one commercial space, four dwelling units and one interior parking space is proposed at 1871 Frankford Ave in Fishtown–Lower Kensington, Philadelphia. An amendment changes unit layouts and fire-rated exterior wall listings.
Official description: FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED THREE (3) STORY STRUCTURE OF TYPE V-B CONSTRUCTION FOR USE AS ONE (1) VACANT COMMERCIAL SPACE (SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED PRIOR TO FIT-OUT AND ISSUANCE OF C.O.), FOUR (4) DWELLING UNITS (GROUP R-2), AND ONE (1) INTERIOR PARKING SPACE ACCESSORY TO THE RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13. ALL WORK TO BE DONE PER APPROVED PLANS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2018 IBC. SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, AND FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK. [AMENDMENT 9/20/2026 FOR CHANGES TO UNIT LAYOUTS AND FIRE-RATED EXTERIOR WALL UL LISTINGS.]
- Applicant
- 1871 FRANKFORD OWNER LLC
- Contractor
- Optimal Construction Group LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|Unknown/Other
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2026-01-23 · #CP-2025-004701 · Building permit (new construction) · 4 lots/units
- 2025-09-11 · #ZP-2025-004408 · Building permit (new construction)
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
A new three-story building is proposed at 1871 Frankford Avenue in Fishtown–Lower Kensington. It would have one ground-floor commercial space and four apartments above. It also has a single interior parking space for the residents.
A local news report on the January 2026 building permit puts the building at about 4,900 square feet. The permit cost estimate is $825,000. The shop space is approved as an empty shell. The eventual tenant would need separate permits to fit it out and open. No tenant has been named.
The latest county filing is an amendment. It changes the unit layouts and the list of fire-rated exterior walls. The news report does not describe what is on the site now. It mentions no zoning appeals and no formal opposition. One reader comment said the garage would be reached from Sepviva Street, not Frankford Avenue.
What it could mean nearby
- Four new homes and one small commercial space would be added on a commercial corridor.
- The garage would need a curb cut about 18 feet wide. The report says this would remove roughly 25 feet of street parking.
- A reader comment said the garage entrance would be on Sepviva Street. This is unconfirmed.
- One interior parking space for four homes means most residents would rely on the street, transit or other options.
Where it stands
Building permits appear to have been issued by January 2026, and a later amendment was filed. Next steps are usually review of the amendment, construction inspections and separate permits for the commercial tenant's fit-out.
- Jan 25, 2026 Local news outlet reported that construction permits were issued
- Jan 23, 2026 Latest county filing, an amendment changing unit layouts and fire-rated exterior wall listings
Want to weigh in? Permits are already issued, so no public hearing is known. Questions can go to the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections or the local registered community organization.
Who's behind it
1871 Frankford Owner LLC · This is the owner entity named on the filing. No public information about its other projects was found. The filing also names Optimal Construction Group LLC, while the news report names a different contractor.
Around the web
- Construction Permits Issued for Mixed-Use Building at 1871 Frankford Avenue in FishtownPhiladelphia YIMBY · Jan 25, 2026Reports the permit for a three-story, four-unit building with a shell commercial space, one interior parking space and an $825,000 cost estimate.
Planning terms explained
- Mixed use
- A building that combines different uses, here a shop on the ground floor and homes above.
- Amendment
- A change filed to an already-issued permit, here to the unit layouts and fire-rated walls.
- Shell space
- A commercial space built without interior finishes, which a future tenant completes under separate permits.
- Curb cut
- A lowered section of curb that lets vehicles cross the sidewalk into a driveway or garage.
- Fire-rated wall
- A wall built to resist fire for a set time, often required between buildings or near property lines.
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: $2.2M
- ~128 roofing squares
- ~4 HVAC systems
- ~4 kitchens / 8+ bathrooms
- ~11,200 sq ft of finished living space
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