If you live in Point Breeze, you've probably noticed that the large warehouse at 20th & Wharton has come down over the last couple of months.
Remember, OCF Holdings presented a project for this parcel over a year ago for twenty-two homes which got denied at the ZBA. In April a new iteration of the project came through, still for twenty-two homes, but this time with 1:1 parking. Last week the project went before the Zoning Board in a marathon two-hour session, and the project was held for discussion. Today, the ZBA voted in support of the project. When reached for comment, developer Ori Feibush simply said "Hallelujah."
Construction is expected to begin in September. To remind you of what you can expect, here are some renderings of the project from architects JKR Partners.
We reached out to the owners of the adjacent property at 2012 Wharton St. where plans for 48 homes have been on hold since last year. With the favorable ruling from the ZBA for the project next door, they are now planning to press forward with their plans. Assuming that project also gets approval, two blighting buildings that have long separated many neighbors from the Point Breeze Avenue commercial corridor will finally disappear. In their place will rise dozens of new homes and new customers for the businesses currently on PB Avenue and the businesses still to come in the future. With all these new residents, the business environment in the neighborhood should soon change in a very positive way.
Disclosure: OCF Realty is the parent company of OCF Holdings and Naked Philly.