August 03, 2016

Woods Square project approved in East Kensington

Civic Design Review board weighs in on three proposals

By Michael Tanenbaum
PhillyVoice Staff

Source/Robert Anthony Peralta Architect

Rendering of Woods Square proposal on Frankford Avenue in East Kensington.

Philadelphia's Civic Design Review board gave its approval on Tuesday to the proposed Woods Square apartment complex in East Kensington and two additional projects in West Philadelphia.

Introduced in April, Woods Square will bring 178 apartments as well as offices and retail space to an enormous 87,000-square-foot lot at 2621-67 Frankford Avenue. The property was once owned by Woods Brothers Building Materials and was previously used for parking and storage.

Several years ago, the space was up for auction but failed to sell. Now, Huntingdon Valley-based First Leader Development Corporation will take charge in the construction of three buildings separated by green spaces with commercial tenants on the first floor. It's not yet clear what kind of retail will occupy Woods Square.

The design committee also approved Penn Medicine's proposal for a new healthcare technology building at 3600 Civic Center Boulevard. Developer Will + Perkins designed the eight-story, 250,000-square-foot non-clinical office building that will focus on information technology and human resources. A second phase of the project will elevate the building to 18 floors for future requirements that have yet to be disclosed.

Source /Perkins + Will

Rendering of Center for Healthcare Technology.

Finally, the CDR board approved the University of the Sciences' dormitory proposal at 4514-22 Woodland Avenue, a six-story mixed-use building led by Design Collective.