Considering the changes that have occurred near 46th & Sansom over the last couple years, it was no shock when some readers told us about a new zoning notice on the block, at the southwest corner of Farragut & Sansom. We actually wrote the lot at 4622 Sansom St. previously, back when a building at 4624 Sansom St. was rotting away next door. Now, both properties are sitting vacant.
Even though this isn't reflected in public record, it seems that that same developer has purchased both properties and they're now looking to build something new here. According to the zoning notice, the developers have applied to construct a new building at the corner with 9 apartments which we can only imagine will be marketed to college students. We can also say with a high degree of confidence that the new building, if approved, won't compare architecturally to its predecessor.
Yeah, they don't build 'em like that anymore. They do build 'em like the U-City Flats, a collection of triplexes built on the other side of Farragut Street over the last few years, primarily used as student housing. When we last updated you on that project about ten months ago, five triplexes were under construction on the south side of the block. Since then, those have been completed, as has a row of six triplexes on the north side of the block. Ah, the beauty and the speed of modular construction.
You can see in the images above, both sides of the block look to be getting another building at the corner, which will only add to an area bursting with student housing. What's really incredible is that this half of the block was entirely vacant aside from one building as recently as two years ago.
Wow, what a stark contrast in a very short period of time.