Philadelphia · Carroll Park · #ZP-2026-006111
5140 Lancaster Ave
5140 Lancaster Ave, Carroll Park, PA · 215 homes, apartments
About this project
Bibleway Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is proposing four buildings with 215 apartments and ground-floor commercial space at 5140 Lancaster Ave. The plan includes about 60 structured parking spaces and 72 bicycle spaces.
Official description: PERMIT For the erection of four detached structures that include structured parking, bicycle parking, off street loading spaces, and a green roof on each building. Size and location per plans. For the proposed uses of Vacant Commercial on the first floor (use registration required prior to occupancy), accessory parking (60 spaces including 6 accessible spaces), bicycle parking (72 spaces), and Multi-Family Household Living (215 units). Building Details as follows: Building A: 60 dwelling units, first floor vacant commercial space, 8 parking spaces. Building B: 45 dwelling units, first floor vacant commercial space, 10 parking spaces. Building C: 50 dwelling units, first floor vacant commercial space, 22 parking spaces. Building D: 60 dwelling units, first floor vacant commercial space, 20 parking spaces.
- Applicant
- BIBLEWAY CHURCH OF THE, LORD JESUS CHRIST
- Plan type
- Zoning Board appeal (Variance)
- Status
- Zoning Board: Prepare Meeting, hearing 2027-02-17
Filing history
- 2026-07-06 · #ZP-2026-006111 · Zoning Board appeal (Variance)
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The project would replace a church that burned down in 2019 on the 5100 block of Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia. It would have four buildings with 215 apartments and ground-floor shops. The county filing lists about 60 structured parking spaces and 72 bike spaces. A newspaper report puts parking at 65 spaces. The developer has said the design keeps the old church's bell tower.
The plan is called Cathedral Yards. It is one of three connected projects by Haverford Square Properties, with about 420 apartments in total. The developer has said one-bedrooms would rent for under $1,650 and two-bedrooms for under $1,900.
Parking is the main concern, and no one has yet been named as occupying the commercial space. At a neighborhood meeting, 21 attendees voted to oppose the plan and four voted to support it. The developer says it would build a smaller version without shops if the zoning relief is denied.
What it could mean nearby
- Parking is the main neighborhood worry. The plan has about 60-65 spaces for 215 apartments, and neighbors fear more cars on nearby streets.
- Roughly 215 new rental homes would be added near bus and trolley service, with shops at street level.
- The developer has said it might add parking in place of some commercial space, which would change the shop plans.
- The site has been vacant since the fire, so the project would fill a gap in the Lancaster Avenue corridor.
Where it stands
The project is proposed and awaiting zoning approval, because it exceeds the allowed number of units and height. The next step is usually a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing, where neighbors and the community group can testify before the board decides.
- Aug 26, 2026 Newspaper report on the plan and neighborhood parking concerns
- Jul 6, 2026 Latest county filing
- Dec 25, 2024 Property sale recorded, per a real-estate listing site
- 2019 Former church building destroyed by fire
Want to weigh in? The Zoning Board of Adjustment decides on the zoning relief, and residents can comment through the Cathedral Park Community Development Association or at the board hearing. No hearing date was found.
Who's behind it
Haverford Square Properties · A developer that is proposing Cathedral Yards and the nearby Lancaster Yards (160 units) along Lancaster Avenue; the filing names the church as the applicant.
Around the web
- West Philly parking wars heat up amid plans for a 420-unit apartment complex on Lancaster Ave.The Philadelphia Inquirer · Aug 26, 2026Describes Cathedral Yards, the developer, unit and parking counts, the neighborhood meeting vote, and the pending zoning relief.
Planning terms explained
- Zoning Board of Adjustment
- The city board that decides whether a project can exceed the zoning rules, such as height or unit limits.
- Zoning relief (variance)
- Official permission to build something the zoning code would not normally allow.
- CMX-2
- A commercial mixed-use zoning category that allows shops and homes, and it is listed for this site.
- Structured parking
- Parking inside a building or garage rather than on an open lot.
- Ground-floor commercial
- Shop or office space on the street level, below the apartments.
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: $51.6M
- ~1,290 roofing squares
- ~215 HVAC systems
- ~215 kitchens / 430+ bathrooms
- ~215,000 sq ft of finished living space
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