Philadelphia · Rittenhouse · #CP-2025-005310
2012-14 Chestnut St
2012-14 Chestnut St, Rittenhouse, PA · 121 homes, mixed use
About this project
A 14-story high-rise with 121 dwelling units, residential balconies, a roof deck and a shell commercial space is planned at 2012-14 Chestnut Street.
Official description: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A FOURTEEN (14) STORY HIGH RISE BUILDING WITH RESIDENTIAL BALCONIES AND COMMON AMENITY ROOF DECK FOR USE AS A SHELL COMMERCIAL SPACE (USE REGISTRATION & FIT-OUT PERMITS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) AND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (121) DWELLING UNITS AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13 AND INCLUDE STANDPIPES PER NFPA 14. SEE PERMIT SP-2025-001577 FOR ASSOCIATED EXCAVATION WORK. *2018 IBC REVIEW* **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK**
- Applicant
- PHILA HOUSING AUTHORITY
- Contractor
- HUNTER ROBERTS HOLDINGS LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- M Mercantile (Retail)|R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|S-2 Storage (Low Hazard)
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2026-04-06 · #CP-2025-005310 · Building permit (new construction) · 121 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
A 14-story apartment tower with 121 homes is planned at 2012-14 Chestnut Street, near Rittenhouse Square. The ground floor would hold a small shell commercial space. The building would have residential balconies and a roof deck. News coverage describes a lot of about 9,200 square feet and a building of roughly 112,600 square feet.
The site belongs to the Philadelphia Housing Authority, which left its old headquarters building there in 2008. Alterra Property Group is reported as the developer. The county filing names Hunter Roberts Holdings as another firm on the project. Coverage says the plan has shrunk over the years, from about 200 units to 162 and now 121. Building permits were reported as issued in April 2026. A reader comment, not the article itself, says about 60% of the homes would be affordable. That comment is unverified.
What it could mean nearby
- No off-street parking is required, and the permit lists 42 bicycle spaces. Street parking and transit demand could rise.
- 121 new homes in Center City West, with a possible share set aside as affordable. The affordable share is not confirmed.
- Construction would bring jobs and activity to the block. No construction schedule has been announced.
- A small ground-floor commercial space could add shops or services at street level.
Where it stands
Building permits were reported issued in April 2026, so the project has moved past city design and zoning review into the pre-construction stage. Next would normally come the start of construction, but no timeline has been announced.
- Apr 2026 Building permits for the 121-unit, 14-story building reported issued; latest county filing on 2026-04-06
- Feb 2024 Plans reported revised down to 121 units and 14 stories
- Aug 2023 Third demolition permit for the site reportedly issued (from a reader comment)
- Jan 2022 Project reported heading to the city's Civic Design Review
- Jan 2021 Earlier plan with 162 units and commercial space proposed
- 2008 The housing authority moved out of its former headquarters on the site
Want to weigh in? Permits are already issued, so no further public vote is known. Residents can contact the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the owner of the site, or their district City Council office.
Who's behind it
Alterra Property Group (developer per news coverage); Hunter Roberts Holdings LLC also appears on the county filing · Alterra was selected by the Philadelphia Housing Authority around 2016 to redevelop the site. Hunter Roberts's role was not confirmed in the sources found.
Around the web
- 14-Story Mixed-Use Building Permitted at 2012-14 Chestnut Street in Center City West, PhiladelphiaPhilly YIMBY · Apr 7, 2026Reports permits issued for the 121-unit, 14-story tower, the parties involved, and the project's shrinking size over time.
- Demolition Imminent at 2012 Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center CityPhilly YIMBY · Jan 2024Covers demolition preparations at the former housing authority headquarters site.
- Construction Still Pending at 2012 Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center CityPhilly YIMBY · May 2023Shows the project was still waiting to start construction in 2023.
- Construction of 14-Story Tower Anticipated at 2012 Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center CityPhilly YIMBY · Jan 2022Describes an earlier version of the 14-story tower plan.
Planning terms explained
- Mixed use
- A building that combines homes with other uses, such as shops or offices.
- Shell commercial space
- A ground-floor space built without interior finishes, to be completed for a future tenant.
- Civic Design Review
- A Philadelphia review where a city panel gives advice on the design of larger projects.
- CMX-4
- A Philadelphia zoning category for dense, mixed-use areas in and near Center City.
- Affordable housing
- Homes rented at reduced prices for households earning below a set share of the area's median income.
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: $67.8M
- ~3,872 roofing squares
- ~121 HVAC systems
- ~121 kitchens / 242+ bathrooms
- ~338,800 sq ft of finished living space
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