Construction at a former vacant lot in Powelton Village shows how development in University City is beginning to spread block by block. Just down the street from the recently completed 2.0 University Place, a three-story structure has risen at 332 N. 41st St., a block north of Powelton Ave.

In the past

Current view

The new construction has at least two apartments and is designed by Harman Deutsch. It’s got a contemporary look that reminds us of the types of new construction commonly seen around Temple these days. Interestingly, the developers opted against having a front porch, making the building stick out (literally) from the surrounding homes. Kind of a shame, no? The property was purchased by Primavera Properties in October 2012 for $25K. And it looks to us like a strong investment, considering the amount of building nearby and the rent numbers that those apartments are getting.

2.0 University Place, the glass-faced structure designed by Shraga Studios, is also Philadelphia’s first LEED platinum pre-certified structure. Its completion marks the second new commercial building finished in Powelton Village this year that houses a government agency. The Social Security Administration moved into a new building at 43rd & Market last fall.

2.0 University Place is just down the street

And just around the corner to the north, development on the 4000 block of Baring St. is still swinging more frequently than Austin Powers. This new construction at 332 N. 41st in a former vacant lot shows that developers are looking for almost any spot they can to build in this area. And we even noticed some new renovations a block north at Spring Garden. Yes, development in Powelton Village is seriously taking off.

–Lou Mancinelli