A hundred years ago, 1917-45 E. Hagert St. was home to a gigantic hosiery mill. For the last several years, it’s been a vacant lot, like many other parcels in the immediate area. But this will not be the case for long.

Sure is vacant

Looking north

Months after EKNA gave their support to the project, the ZBA recently approved plans for the construction of forty new apartment units for low-income senior citizens at this site by an organization called Catholic Health Care Services. This is the same company that oversaw the adaptive reuse of the former St. John Neumann High School for Boys in South Philly into senior housing. As is the case at St. John Neumann Place, the units here will be available for lease, and they’ll target seniors over the age of 62 who wish to maintain an independent lifestyle in an urban community setting.

Bird's eye view

View from the corner of Emerald and Letterly

Interior courtyard

Site plan

As you can see, the project is anything but an overbuild. It will only rise three stories, and will have a considerable amount of open space surrounding the property. Eight parking spots will be included, since most properties of this ilk historically have relatively few drivers as residents. In addition, a large interior courtyard will give residents a safe and clean outdoor space, while a gardening area will give them a place to indulge their green thumb.

Architects for the project are Cecil Baker and Partners, the same folks that did the design work for the Berger Bros. building conversion in Old City. Do people like the design? The way that they laid out the site? The density?

One thing we know we like is that a very large vacant lot in East Kensington will soon be no more. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.