Philadelphia · East Kensington · #CP-2025-000455
2221 N Front St mixed-use building
2221 N Front St, East Kensington, PA · 60 homes, mixed use
About this project
A new seven-story mixed-use building with 60 dwelling units and commercial shell space is planned at 2221 N Front St in East Kensington.
Official description: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A SEVEN (7) STORY BUILDING WITH CELLAR FOR USE AS SHELL COMMERCIAL SPACE (FIT-OUT PERMIT REQUIRED FOR OCCUPANCY - FRESH FOOD MARKET BONUS UTILIZED) AND SIXTY (60) DWELLING UNITS (MIXED INCOME HOUSING BONUS UTILIZED) AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO UTILIZE HORIZONTAL SEPARATIONS TO CREATE TWO (2) SEPARATE BUILDINGS WITH TWO (2) DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION TYPES (BASEMENT, 1ST & 2ND FLOORS - TYPE IA AND 3RD THROUGH 7TH FLOORS - TYPE IIIA). SEE PERMIT SP-2025-000153 FOR ASSOCIATED EXCAVATION WORK. FIRE RETARDANT TREATED STUDS AND SHEATHING REQUIRED FOR TYPE III CONSTRUCTION. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13 AND INCLUDE STANDPIPES PER NFPA 14. FIRE WATCH REQUIRED PER CODE BULLETIN F-2001. *2018 IBC* **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK**
- Contractor
- G & M EFESTOS CONTRACTING INC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- A-2 Assembly (Food)|B Business (Office)|R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|U Utility and Miscellaneous
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2026-02-19 · #CP-2025-000455 · Building permit (new construction) · 60 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
A seven-story building with 60 apartments and ground-floor commercial space is planned at 2221 N Front St in East Kensington. The county filing describes the commercial area as a shell, meaning an unfinished space for a future tenant to fit out.
The site was a vacant, fenced lot with tall grass when local news covered it in 2022. Permits were reported as issued then, with a building of about 55,800 square feet and an estimated cost of $7.3 million. The site has since been marketed for sale as approved and permitted, under the name "Triangle Flats". No end occupant was found. Listings also say some units must be affordable.
The 2026 county filing names a contractor, which suggests the project may be moving toward construction. No opposition was found.
What it could mean nearby
- 60 new homes near the York-Dauphin Market-Frankford Line station, which gives residents transit access.
- A 2022 city planning agenda lists no vehicle parking, so car traffic from the building may be limited. Street parking demand could still change.
- Ground-floor commercial space could add shops or services and some jobs.
- A large vacant lot on Front Street would be put to use.
Where it stands
Permits were reported as issued in 2022, and a new county filing was recorded in February 2026 naming a contractor. Construction normally follows once permits are in place and a builder is engaged. No construction start or completion date was found.
- Feb 19, 2026 Latest county filing, naming the contractor
- Jul 2022 News outlet reports building permits issued for the 60-unit building
- Feb 2022 City Planning Commission civic design review agenda lists the project
Want to weigh in? The project appears to already hold its permits, so no further public hearing was found. Residents can raise concerns with the local registered community organization or the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections.
Who's behind it
G & M EFESTOS CONTRACTING INC · This is the contractor named on the county filing. No company website was found, and the original developer was not confirmed.
Around the web
- Permits Issued for 2221 North Front Street in East KensingtonPhilly YIMBY · Jul 9, 2022Reports permits for a seven-story, 60-unit building on a vacant lot near a transit station.
- CDR Agenda 02.01.2022City of Philadelphia · Feb 1, 2022Lists the project for civic design review, with CMX-2.5 zoning and no vehicle parking.
- 2221 N Front Street - Triangle FlatsCrexiA sale listing describing the site as approved for a seven-story mixed-use building.
Planning terms explained
- Mixed use
- A building that combines homes with shops or offices.
- Commercial shell
- Basic ground-floor space built without interior finishes so a tenant can complete it.
- CMX-2.5
- A Philadelphia zoning category that allows mid-sized buildings with homes and shops.
- Civic design review
- A city planning commission review of the look and site design of larger projects.
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: $33.6M
- ~1,920 roofing squares
- ~60 HVAC systems
- ~60 kitchens / 120+ bathrooms
- ~168,000 sq ft of finished living space
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