The “Baltimore Crossing” condo construction project is underway near 51st and Baltimore. This is a three-unit building north of Baltimore (Photo courtesy of Holly Mack Ward & Co).
Folks looking to buy a home in West Philly have usually had two options: a pricey Victorian or a more affordable (but still pricey) rowhome. Developers have mostly been reluctant to build condos – essentially apartments that are for sale rather than for rent. That might be starting to change with “Baltimore Crossing,” a new condo development project currently under construction near 51st and Baltimore.
The project includes three buildings – a three-unit building north of Baltimore (at 717 S. 51st St), a five-unit building south of Baltimore (at 732-734 S. 51st), and a townhouse at 5135 Webster St. The construction of the north building is in an advanced stage, and the foundation has been laid for the south building.
The project is a collaboration between developer Bear & Co. and a well-known Cedar Park realtor Holly Mack-Ward. The partners recently shared some more details about the project at its launch event held at Booker’s restaurant.
The construction is expected to be completed in April 2020, with current pre-sale prices starting at $259,900 for a two-bedroom unit.
By the way, the developers will make sure to preserve and not cover up the Hadfield/Malcolm Street mural, which is next door to the south building.
More details about the project are available on its website.
October 29th, 2019 at 2:20 pm
You’re writing this enthusiastically as if condos aren’t a way for the developer to make their money and then leave without having to invest in maintaining the property. During the meeting about the 732-734 properties, we were clear that we were not in favor of condos.
October 29th, 2019 at 2:20 pm
And them not obstructing the mural is not of their diligence and consideration, but because they couldn’t acquire all of the properties on the block.
October 29th, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Developers, get out and go back to fishtown. we dont want you here. this is gross. goodie, more rich people buying overpriced condos. perfect.
October 29th, 2019 at 4:13 pm
This isn’t good news. Everywhere you turn they are building these pricey ugly condos.
October 30th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
If we are going to change things around here, it won’t be all working within the System!
October 30th, 2019 at 8:06 pm
I get a sense among certain wrighters on West Philly Local that the way of making change is to be as judgemental as possible about other people.
apologies to B.O.
October 31st, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Meanwhile in the neighborhood, a camouflaged developer, high on ever increasing quantities of avarice, steroids and microbrews, is plotting the eviction of hundreds, no thousands, MORE, defenseless tenants. It’s all justified because it’s LEGAL!
Look out, West Philly! An Empire is being born!
November 1st, 2019 at 3:28 pm
i cant figure most of you out. you complain when it is a rental property with tenants with too many (allegedly) cars and no equity in the neighborhood. now something for-sale gets built and you don’t want homeowners?
what do you really expect will happen to a vacant lot?
November 1st, 2019 at 3:33 pm
At least with Donald Trump, we get “The Real Donald Trump” account….
November 1st, 2019 at 7:49 pm
gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme
November 13th, 2019 at 8:56 pm
Jamie Gauthier is right: We have to end this frenzied development. West Phil is awash in a sea of ugly, cheap, environmentally destructive, overpriced buildings for transient affluent young whites who are obviously tasteless and oblivious to the rents they pay for such crappy housing. Does anyone really believe there is a housing crisis for the young and wealthy that requires we destroy West Philadelphia to make sure they have an overpriced housing project to live in for a a year before they hop to the next trendy neighborhood? Meanwhile driving out people of color, the elderly, low-income residents; destroying our tree canopy, our green spaces, disrupting long-standing communities; replacing local stores with yet another cafe or nail salon because the developers have no clue how West Phil works. The rich and their developers need to move along–go see if you can ruin Society Hill or Rittenhouse Square. Stop the toxic demolition and even more toxic destruction. Colonizers can just leave us alone: We don’t need development. We are a flourishing 100-year old, well-established community that was once diverse and affordable, and you are trashing it.
November 14th, 2019 at 9:46 am
gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme!
“Please stop building houses for people who pay taxes when we should embrace the multiple murders just blocks away as ‘heritage'”.