Philadelphia · West Kensington · #CP-2025-001453
1901 N American St
1901 N American St, West Kensington, PA · 285 homes, mixed use
About this project
New six-story building with an underground garage, 285 dwelling units and vacant commercial space at 1901 N American St in West Kensington. Later amendments revised closets, shafts, accessible unit locations and the stair enclosure.
Official description: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A SIX (6) STORY STRUCTURE WITH UNDERGROUND GARAGE, ROOF DECKS AND PILOT HOUSES TO INCLUDE VACANT COMMERCIAL SPACES (USE REGISTRATION & FIT-OUT PERMITS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY), TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE (285) DWELLING UNITS AND ACCESSORY PARKING AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO UTILIZE HORIZONTAL SEPARATIONS TO CREATE TWO (2) SEPARATE BUILDINGS WITH TWO (2) DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION TYPES (BASEMENT & 1ST FLOOR - TYPE IA AND 2ND THROUGH 6TH FLOORS - TYPE IIIA). FIRE RETARDANT TREATED STUDS AND SHEATHING REQUIRED FOR TYPE III CONSTRUCTION. SEE PERMIT SP-2025-000272 FOR ASSOCIATED EXCAVATION WORK. 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 5/18/26 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2025-001453 FOR CHANGES TO CLOSETS AND ADDITION OF SHAFTS AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES AS PER APPROVED PLANS. AMENDMENT APPROVED 9/25/26 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2025-001453 FOR CHANGES TO LOCATIONS OF ACCESSIBLE UNITS, INSULATION, SHAFT DETAILS, FIRESTOPPING AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES AS PER APPROVED PLANS. AMENDMENT APPROVED 10/3/26 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2025-001453 FOR CHANGES TO STAIR ENCLOSURE WALL ASSEMBLY AS PER APPROVED PLANS.
- Applicant
- 1901 N AMERICAN HOLDINGS LLC
- Contractor
- BABYLON RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|S-2 Storage (Low Hazard)
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2025-11-03 · #CP-2025-001453 · Building permit (new construction) · 285 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The county records describe a new six-story building at 1901 N American St in West Kensington, Philadelphia. It would hold 285 apartments over an underground parking garage. The records also list vacant commercial space, which means shell space that has no tenant yet.
The filing is from November 2025. Later amendments changed interior and code details: closets, shafts, where the accessible units sit, and the stair enclosure. These look like routine design refinements, not a change in the project's overall size.
No news coverage, developer project page, hearing notice or meeting record was found that clearly matches this project. This explanation therefore relies on the county records alone. The records don't say who will occupy the commercial space or what is on the site now.
What it could mean nearby
- 285 new homes would add substantial housing to the American Street corridor.
- The underground garage suggests that some resident parking would be handled off the street, though the number of spaces is not stated in the records.
- The commercial space could bring shops or services to the ground floor if it is leased, but no tenant is identified.
Where it stands
The records show a permit-stage filing, last updated 2025-11-03, with later amendments to design details. No public hearing or approval decision was found online. Next steps usually are final permit review, then construction start, and inspections as work proceeds.
- Nov 2025 Latest county filing for the project, covering a six-story, 285-unit building
Who's behind it
1901 N American Holdings LLC · This is the company named on the county filing, along with Babylon Resource Management LLC. No public information was found on either firm's other projects.
Planning terms explained
- Mixed use
- A building that combines homes with commercial space such as shops or offices.
- Dwelling unit
- A single apartment or home with its own living, sleeping, cooking and bathroom space.
- Amendment
- A revision to an already-filed permit application that changes the plans.
- Accessible unit
- An apartment designed for people with disabilities, for example with wider doorways and step-free access.
- Stair enclosure
- A fire-rated walled-off stairwell that gives residents a protected way out of the building.
We searched the web for this project but found nothing beyond the county record, so this explanation is based on the filing alone. 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.
How to comment officially
For this project: No public hearing was found. Residents can contact the local registered community organization or the City of Philadelphia's planning and permitting offices for the current status.
This is a building permit for work that current zoning allows, so there is usually no public hearing.
- If you think the work breaks the permit or the zoning code, report it to Philadelphia's Department of Licenses & Inspections or call 311.
Find West Kensington's meeting agendas →
Comments on this page are not sent to officials and are not part of the public record.
What neighbors think
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Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $159.6M
- ~9,120 roofing squares
- ~285 HVAC systems
- ~285 kitchens / 570+ bathrooms
- ~798,000 sq ft of finished living space
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