Philadelphia · East Mount Airy · #ZP-2025-001876
Mixed-use building at 6915 Germantown Ave
6915 Germantown Ave, East Mount Airy, PA · 81 homes, mixed use
About this project
A four-story mixed-use building is proposed at 6915 Germantown Avenue, with ground-floor commercial space and 81 apartment units, 9 of them affordable, plus 11 parking spaces. An amendment adds one roof-deck access structure.
Official description: FOR THE ERECTION OF A SEMI-DETACHED FOUR (4) STORY STRUCTURE (MAX. 45 FT HIGH, INCLUDING 7 FT BUILDING HEIGHT BONUS) WITH A ROOF DECK (RESIDENTIAL USE ONLY) ACCESSED BY ONE (1) STAIRWELL AND ONE (1) ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE WITH ELEVATOR AREA; FOR USE AS A VACANT COMMERCIAL SPACE (USE REGISTRATION REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) AT THE GROUND FLOOR ALONG PRIMARY FRONTAGE FOR A MINIMUM OF 30 FEET AND MULTI-FAMILY (TOTAL EIGHTY-ONE (81) UNITS), INCLUDING NINE (9) AFFORDABLE DWELLING UNITS FROM FOUR (4) MIXED-INCOME BONUS UNITS), AND THIRTEEN (13) GREEN ROOF BONUS UNITS) HOUSEHOLD LIVING ON THE 1ST FLOOR REAR THROUGH 4TH FLOORS; WITH ELEVEN (11) ACCESSORY OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES; INCLUDING ONE (1) ADA VAN ACCESSIBLE SPACE, AND TWENTY SEVEN (27) 1A CLASS BICYCLE SPACES IN AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON THE PLAN. AMENDMENT #1: AMEND TO ADD ONE (1) ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE, NOT TO EXCEED 125 SF IN AREA AND 10'-0" IN HEIGHT, TO SERVE THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ROOF DECK, AS PER AMENDED PLANS. ALL OTHER WORK AND USES TO REMAIN AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
- Applicant
- 6903 GERMANTOWN AVE LLC
- Contractor
- BARTONPARTNERS ARCHITECTS PLANNERS INC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Status
- Permit amendment ready for issue
Filing history
- 2025-10-29 · #ZP-2025-001876 · Building permit (new construction) · 9 lots/units
- 2025-05-09 · #ZP-2025-001876 · Zoning Board appeal (Special Exception) · 9 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
A four-story building with shops on the ground floor and 81 apartments above is proposed at 6915 Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy. Nine of the apartments would be affordable, and 11 parking spaces are planned. A recent change adds a small structure for access to a roof deck.
The site is next to the Lovett Memorial Library. A 2023 news report said a two-story house there, used by a nonprofit to house people with disabilities, had a demolition permit. The developer, TierView Development, is also working on the neighboring lot at 6903 Germantown Ave. A July 2025 news report described the combined project as five stories with about 2,700 square feet of retail. The county filing describes four stories, so the design may have changed.
The main neighborhood concern found was the small amount of parking. The local business improvement district endorsed the project.
What it could mean nearby
- Only 11 parking spaces for 81 apartments could add pressure on street parking, which was the main concern reported.
- The 81 new apartments, including 9 affordable ones, would add housing along a commercial corridor.
- The ground-floor shops could fill a gap in the Germantown Avenue business district.
- Earlier reporting noted residents' worries about construction disruption and lost views.
Where it stands
The project was in design and zoning review as of the latest county filing on 2025-10-29. A Civic Design Review (an advisory city design review) was scheduled for August 2025. A zoning board hearing and Historical Commission approval were still pending when last reported. After those, building permits would usually follow.
- Oct 29, 2025 Latest county filing, including the roof-deck access amendment
- Aug 2025 Advisory Civic Design Review meeting scheduled
- Jul 22, 2025 Inquirer reported the 81-unit plan and its parking concerns
- Oct 2023 Development site reportedly sold
- Jul 6, 2023 Local news reported a demolition permit for the existing house
Want to weigh in? The city Zoning Board of Adjustment and Historical Commission decide next, and residents can comment through those hearings and through local groups such as the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District and East Mt. Airy Neighbors.
Who's behind it
TierView Development · A Philadelphia developer that, per the Inquirer, owns about 200 apartments in Northwest Philadelphia.
Around the web
- TierView development Germantown Avenue apartmentsThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Jul 22, 2025Describes the 81-unit plan, 11 parking spaces, affordability, pending approvals and parking concerns.
- Demo permit signals new future Lovett Library neighborChestnut Hill Local · Jul 6, 2023Reports the demolition permit for the existing house, the site's zoning and early resident reactions.
Planning terms explained
- Zoning Board of Adjustment
- The city body that decides whether a project may depart from the zoning rules.
- Civic Design Review
- An advisory city review of a large project's design that does not approve or deny it.
- Affordable units
- Apartments with rents set for households earning below a set share of area income.
- CMX-2
- A zoning category for neighborhood commercial areas that allows ground-floor shops with homes above.
- Historical Commission
- The city body that reviews changes affecting historic properties and their surroundings.
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: $45.4M
- ~2,592 roofing squares
- ~81 HVAC systems
- ~81 kitchens / 162+ bathrooms
- ~226,800 sq ft of finished living space