Philadelphia · Richmond · #CP-2023-003341
2721-69 Ruth St
2721-69 Ruth St, Richmond, PA · 44 homes, apartments
About this project
A four-story wood-frame building with 44 apartment units and parking for 17 vehicles is proposed at 2721-69 Ruth St in Richmond, Philadelphia.
Official description: FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR (4) STORY WOOD-FRAME STRUCTURE ON REINFORCED CONCRETE FOOTINGS/FOUNDATIONS WITH A ROOF DECK AND . PARKING SPACES TO BE PROVIDED FOR 17 VEHICLES. FOR USE AS A MULTI-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING FOR FORTY-FOUR (44) DWELLING UNITS THROUGHOUT. BUILDING SHALL BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA13. ** SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR ALL MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, AND FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS. **CLASS I STANDPIPE SYSTEM TO BE PROVIDED**PROTECTION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY / PEDESTRIANS / ADJACENT PROPERTIES REQUIRED DURING ALL CONSTRUCTION.**ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2018 IECC.** AMENDED AS OF 11/14/2025 TO UPDATE THE STATEMENT OF SPECIAL INSPECTION SCHEDULE FORM**
- Applicant
- NEW KENSINGTON COMMUNITY
- Contractor
- Caritas Management LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)
- Status
- Permit completed
Filing history
- 2024-03-21 · #CP-2023-003341 · Building permit (new construction) · 44 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The project is a four-story, wood-frame apartment building at 2721-69 Ruth St in Kensington, Philadelphia. It has 44 apartments, 17 on-site parking spaces, and a roof deck. Permit coverage describes a corner lot of about half an acre and a building roughly 43 feet tall. The estimated cost is about $15.6 million.
The owner is New Kensington Community, a nonprofit community development group. Caritas Management LLC is listed as the contractor. The neighborhood group's own page now presents the building as the Ruth Street Civic House. It offers one- and two-bedroom income-restricted apartments, and the page says the apartments are open for applications. Rent is set at about 30% of household income, with limits tied to area median income. The page does not say when construction finished.
No opposition or hearing coverage was found. The county facts also don't describe what stood on the site before.
What it could mean nearby
- Adds 44 income-restricted rental homes to Kensington, serving lower-income households.
- Sits about a block from the Somerset stop on the Market-Frankford El and near three SEPTA bus lines, so residents can get around without a car.
- 17 on-site parking spaces and 15 bike spaces, which limit but may not eliminate demand for street parking.
- The permit coverage mentions a commercial space, which could bring some neighborhood retail or services.
Where it stands
Building permits were reported issued in April 2024, and the owner's page now lists the apartments as open for rental applications. That suggests construction is complete or nearly so, though no completion date was found. Residents move in as units are leased.
- Apr 2024 Permits for the four-story, 44-unit building reported issued
- Mar 21, 2024 Latest county planning filing
Who's behind it
New Kensington Community Development Corporation (with Caritas Management LLC as contractor) · A Kensington nonprofit that develops and rents affordable housing in the neighborhood, including the nearby Orinoka Civic House.
Around the web
- Ruth Street Civic HouseNew Kensington Community Development CorporationDescribes the 44 income-restricted one- and two-bedroom apartments at 2721 Ruth St, open for applications and near the Somerset El stop.
- Permits Issued for 2721 Ruth Street in KensingtonPhilly YIMBY · Apr 1, 2024Reports permits for the 44-unit, four-story building with 17 parking spaces, the owner and contractor, and an estimated $15.6 million cost.
Planning terms explained
- Area median income (AMI)
- The middle household income for the region, used to set who qualifies for affordable apartments and what rent they pay.
- Tax credit property
- A building financed partly with federal housing tax credits, in exchange for keeping rents affordable to lower-income households.
- Wood-frame construction
- A building method that uses a wood structure, usually on a concrete foundation, as is common for buildings of this height.
- Building permit
- City approval that allows construction to begin, issued after plans are reviewed for code compliance.
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: $10.6M
- ~264 roofing squares
- ~44 HVAC systems
- ~44 kitchens / 88+ bathrooms
- ~44,000 sq ft of finished living space
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