If all the plans presented for different parcels along the 1600 block of Ridge Avenue come to fruition, it would be a transformation from corner to corner, which is something we've seen at different locations throughout Francisville the past few years (see 19th & Poplar). We recently shared plans for a mixed-use building at 1608 Ridge Ave. with ground-floor commercial and 14 apartments. And there are additional plans for 28 apartments and three commercial spaces next door, where there's now a shuttered Dollar Discount store.
Now, at the corner of 16th & Ridge, we've learned of plans to build a three-story mixed-use building with a commercial space on the first floor and bay windows on the top two floors, each of which will host one apartment. Just to the south, the same developer has gotten plans approved for a pair of quadplexes.
A couple of years ago, the developers attempted to build something different on this site, getting denied and then approved by the ZBA for a four story mixed use building on the corner and two four-story triplexes to the south. Somewhere along the line, that plan was abandoned in favor of the one that got approval a couple of weeks ago. We're not sure what that project would have looked like, but here's a rendering from the listing in 2012 which could have inspired the initial plan.
The 1600 block isn't the only member of the Ridge Ave. family getting work done. On a former open lot, Project H.O.M.E. developed the JBL Soul Homes next to Broad Street and on the 1700 block, at least two projects are underway. One's at 1724 Ridge Ave., and it has four-stories with ground-floor commercial, and another mixed-use project can be found on the north side of the block.
So with more plans to redevelop Ridge Ave coming seemingly every other week, we're getting more excited about possibilities around here. With major Temple related student housing redevelopment sneaking in, and plans for the Divine Lorraine and from the same folks, work already underway to reincarnate the old Metropolitan Opera House and Broad & Poplar into a 3500-seat music venue, we really believe in Ridge Avenue. And Francisville in general.