In Northern Liberties, a project stalled by the fledgling economy four years ago, is back in a new form, with plans to break ground by the new year or shortly after.

Members of the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association (NLNA) provided strong support for the six single family townhome private community from Shimi Zaken at Atrium LLC Design, planned for 204-06 Laurel St.

Current view

The project will feature three types of homes, ranging from 2,400 to 3,400 sqft with green roofs, roof decks and finished basements, starting at $725K. Some of the homes will include a one- or two-car garage, with the others having parking in the courtyard in the middle of the development.

As we told you earlier this year, Laurel Court Dev LLC bought the property, where now stands a weather beaten one-story garage with a jaundiced facade, for $575K, according to the OPA. Plans for the site four years ago were for a Pod living arrangement with some houses, some condos, and underground parking, but those plans have been tweaked. The new plans are for six single family homes. Check out the renderings:

View from Laurel Street. The building pictured next door has been demolished.

Straight on shot of the facade

Looking east on Laurel

Street level entry rendering

In the middle of a courtyard

These homes will be a pinch more expensive than their immediate neighbors, not such a bad thing. The creative architecture as well as proximity to 2nd Street and Liberty Lands Park should make them attractive for potential buyers. And for neighbors, it means doing away with an unsightly garage in the middle of the block. And with six almost three-quarter million dollar homes, it can’t hurt for comps, either. Zaken said they will construct the homes but hold off on finishes, hoping for presale arrangements.

$725K? Is the recession over? It seems this could be a lucrative investment for Atrium, if they are able to sell all the homes quickly at these prices. Keep your eyes on this one, developers, it looks like a good play.

Now if only something would happen to that vacant lot at the corner of 2nd & Laurel…

–Lou Mancinelli