Construction has begun on the vacant lot on the southwest corner of 40th and Pine Streets (400 S. 40th St) where a 19th century Italianate mansion, designed by architect Samuel Sloan, once stood.
A developer, Equinox Management & Construction, is redeveloping the site into a market-rate apartment complex called The Azalea, which will be targeted at graduate students. The first construction permit – for the building’s foundation – was issued last month.
The mansion was demolished in 2015 to make room for new development after years of a legal battle between a local homeowners association, who tried to save the building from demolition, and the University of Pennsylvania, which owns the site.
The Azalea will be a five-story building with a roof top terrace and green roof. The building will also include a fitness center, a professional meeting space, in-unit washers and dryers, and covered racks for bicycles, according to information posted on the developer’s website. Here is a rendering image of the proposed development:
December 19th, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Wow! I’m almost jealous because of the proximity to the newly renovated 40th St Trolley portal. Of course, they have to live next to the two frat houses right behind their building. This should be great fun!
December 20th, 2017 at 11:12 am
The community group blew an agreement to preserve the mansion by having it incorporated in the newly built building. They turned down the agreement and the developer moved to tear it down. When will the new building be finished? Sometime in 2019?