Artist’s rendering of Phase 2 of Wade Flats at 53rd and Whitby.

Residents got a closer look at a proposed 53-unit “equitable and inclusionary” apartment complex near 53rd and Baltimore set to begin construction later this month.

The local real estate developer Spak Group hosted the first of monthly info sessions with residents related to WADE Flats, which will be built along a vacant stretch of parcels at 5300-5310 Whitby Ave. – a couple of blocks south of Baltimore Ave. in Southwest Philly.

Spak Group bought the land two-and-a-half years ago from Comcast, which bought it from Wade Communications, a minority owned cable television operator that served West and Southwest Philly. The land housed a small brick building, which was recently demolished. Though the project is “by right,” Spak Group is including affordable units in the building and, unlike most builders in the city, is not taking any public money to do so.

Phase one of the project, which is scheduled to begin construction next week, will include a four-story building with 37 units and three commercial spaces. Four of the units will be deed restricted and designated as affordable units for 50 years, meaning that even if the building is sold the units will remain “affordable” – in this case rented by those at or below 50 percent of the annual area median income (about $41,000 for a family of four). These units include a studio ($845 per month), a one-bedroom ($905 per month) and a two-bedroom at $1,086 per month. All include utilities.

This phase will also include 33 units that are “workforce affordable,” generally defined as between 80 and 120 percent of area median income (AMI). In this case, two units will be 60 percent AMI, three units at or below 80 percent AMI and 27 at or below 80 percent AMI.

Phase two will include a smaller, 3-story building constructed to resemble nearby rowhomes. This phase will include two deed restricted affordable units and 14 workforce affordable units, again aimed at folks whose incomes are 60 to 80 percent of AMI. Rents will range from $975 to $1,600 per month.

Spak Group will hold monthly zoom sessions on the first Monday of every month for the duration of the project. Contact them here for the zoom link.

Phase one of the project.