It seems that every week or two we have news about the disappearance of another vacant lot in Point Breeze. With few exceptions, most of those projects have involved single-family homes. Offhand, we can only think of the two duplexes coming to 20th & Wharton as a recent example of apartment construction in the area. But if things go well at tonight’s South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S. meeting, there could soon be fifteen new apartments in the neighborhood.

21st and Federal

Lately, developer Roman Mosheyev has been involved in several projects in this area. He has a condo building under construction at 20th & Kimball. He built a gorgeous home at 18th & Christian. A couple of years ago, he built six homes as rentals on the 2000 block of Annin Street. Now, he has his eye set on the corner of 21st & Federal for his next project.

Northern side of the lot. Previous homes from the developer on the left

Mosheyev purchased the lot, which measures nearly 5,800 sqft and stretches all the way to Annin Street, earlier this year. It had been owned by Chapel Baptist Church since at least 1991. And while it’s been one of the better tended vacant lots in the area, new buildings will absolutely represent an improvement. The parcel is strangely zoned commercial, which entitles the developer to multiple residential units on the site. It seems he’s seeking variances to redraw the lot lines and eliminate the commercial use. As proposed, the project will consist of four buildings, three of which will have four units and the fourth of which will have three units (in retrospect that sentence was a little confusing but you hopefully get the picture).

In a neighborhood with a handful of newer businesses like the Sardine Bar, Kermit’s, and OCF Coffee House, a project with this kind of density is a welcome addition. Hopefully, the community and the ZBA will feel the same way.