Philadelphia · Fishtown - Lower Kensington · #CP-2023-001037
1713 N Front St mixed-use building
1713 N Front St, Fishtown - Lower Kensington, PA · 55 homes, mixed use
About this project
A mixed-use building at 1713 N Front St in Fishtown, Philadelphia, would have 55 dwelling units on floors two through six and a commercial space on the ground floor.
Official description: FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH ROOF DECK ACCESSED BY A PILOTHOUSE WITH TEN(10) ACCESSORY PARKING SPACES INCLUDING WITH ONE(1) VAN ACCESSIBLE SPACE ; TWO(2) CAR SHARE SPACES AND TWENTY(20) 1A CLASS BICYCLE SPACES IN AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE AT GROUND FLOOR GARAGE. FOR A VACANT COMMERCIAL SPACE AT FIRST FLOOR ( USE REGISTRATION PERMIT REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) WITH MULTI-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING ( 55 DWELLING UNITS) FROM SECOND THRU SIXTH(6TH) FLOORS. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED. SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FP WORK. SEPARATE APPROVAL REQUIRED FROM PA L&I FOR ELEVATOR INSTALLATION. AMENDMENT#1 TO REMOVE TEN (10) ORIGINALLY PROPOSED ACCESSORY PARKING SPACES WITH EXISTING 15 FT. 6 IN. HIGH WALL AT REAR TO REMAIN; FOR THE CREATION OF VACANT NON-RESIDENTIAL SPACE AT GROUND FLOOR AT GROUND FLOOR (USE REGISTRATION REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) ALSO INCLUDE FLOOR LAYOUT CHANGE OF THE RESIDENTIAL UNITS ABOVE. AMEDNMENT#2 TO THE BASEMENT FOOTPRINT, STAIRWAYS, ELEVATOR AND LAUOUT CHANGE AS PER APPROVED AMENDED PLANS. Amendment #3 to change exit stairs within the proposed Type IA construction (podium construction below the 3-hr fire rated horizontal separation) to combustible wood construction. And changes to the facade clading.
- Applicant
- 1713 FRONT QOZB LLC
- Contractor
- Backcourt Builders LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- A-3 Assembly (Worship, Recreation, Amusement, Other)|B Business (Office)|R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|S-2 Storage (Low Hazard)
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2024-03-28 · #CP-2023-001037 · Building permit (new construction) · 55 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
A six-story mixed-use building is proposed at 1713 N Front St in Fishtown. County records describe a commercial space on the ground floor and 55 apartments on floors two through six.
Local coverage from 2022 describes the site as a parking lot. It reports about 2,570 square feet of ground-floor retail, a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments, and ten parking spaces. The building would be roughly 73 feet tall at its main roof, with a roof deck. The project was then going through the city's Civic Design Review, which gives advisory design feedback on larger projects.
No news was found on approvals, opposition, construction or who will occupy the retail space. The coverage names a different developer from the firms on the county filing, so the link between them is unconfirmed.
What it could mean nearby
- 55 new apartments, mostly small units, would add housing near the Front Street corridor.
- A new ground-floor commercial space could add shops or services at street level.
- Ten planned parking spaces (per 2022 coverage) is far fewer than the number of homes, so more street parking and transit use are likely.
- The building would replace a surface parking lot, adding more buildings along this stretch of Front Street.
Where it stands
The project went through Civic Design Review in late 2022, and the latest county filing is dated March 2024. No current approval or construction status was found online. After design review, projects usually need zoning and building permits before construction can start.
- Mar 28, 2024 Latest county filing for the project
- Nov 2022 City Licenses and Inspections issued its findings letter on the Civic Design Review
- Oct 23, 2022 Renderings and details were reported after a Civic Design Review submission
Want to weigh in? The city's Department of Licenses and Inspections handles permits, and any zoning appeal goes to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Residents can also contact the local registered community organization, but no scheduled hearing was found.
Who's behind it
1713 FRONT QOZB LLC / Backcourt Builders LLC · These two firms are on the county filing. No official website or other project information was found for them. A 2022 news article names a different developer, Khosla Properties.
Around the web
- Renderings Revealed for 1713-21 North Front Street in FishtownPhiladelphia YIMBY · Oct 23, 2022Describes a six-story, 55-unit building with about 2,570 sq ft of retail and ten parking spaces on a parking lot, and names its developer and architect.
- CDR LI Findings Letters November 1 2022 ReviewsCity of Philadelphia · Nov 28, 2022The city's Civic Design Review letter covers 1713 N Front St, with 55 dwelling units on floors two through six.
Planning terms explained
- Civic Design Review
- A city process in which a panel gives advisory design feedback on larger projects before permits are issued.
- Mixed use
- A building that combines different uses, such as shops on the ground floor and homes above.
- Dwelling unit
- A single home or apartment with its own kitchen and bathroom.
- Pilot house
- A small rooftop structure that covers a stairwell or elevator exit.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $30.8M
- ~1,760 roofing squares
- ~55 HVAC systems
- ~55 kitchens / 110+ bathrooms
- ~154,000 sq ft of finished living space
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