Morning Headlines: Will Old City Finally Get Its Skyscraper?

Rendering of 205 Race Street
Photo credit: 205Race.com

First, the Old City Civic Association was less than happy about its height. Then, complicated zoning matters stalled progress, topped off with Keystone Outdoor Advertising getting miffed because the building would block one of their billboards from view. So will this third attempt finally see a conclusion to the planned 205 Race development?

According to PlanPhilly’s Jared Brey, the Historical Commission’s architecture committee will review the latest plans for Brown Hill Development’s mixed-use project this Tuesday.

Plans include “148 rental units, 28 parking spaces, 51 bike parking spaces, and more than 14,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.” Additionally, architect Peter Gluck had addressed KOA’s cries by adjusting the building’s design to keep the billboard in view (it’s even featured in the newest renderings).

And that’s not all:

The developers plan to claim a bonus for mixed-income housing, so some of the units will be affordable to individuals making 80 percent of Area Median Income. (An individual meeting this affordability criteria would make around $44,000 a year.)

The building, which would be 51 feet tall on Race and 197 feet on 2nd, will have glass storefront commercial space as well as studios and one- and two-bedroom units.

Brown Hill has already applied for a building permit.

• Developers take another crack at 205 Race Street [PlanPhilly]

In other news…

• Starting The Second Life Of A Manayunk Icon [Hidden City]

• Developer who failed in Norristown files for bankruptcy [Inquirer]

• Developer making bold real estate play along Route 202 in King of Prussia [Business Journal]

• Horsham contractor charged with ripping off eight homeowners [Courier Times]

• Some property assessment appeals will not need a hearing [Northeast Times]