Philadelphia · Wister · #CP-2025-000079
26-34 Church Ln
26-34 Church Ln, Wister, PA · 33 homes, mixed use
About this project
A five-story building with 33 apartments and a commercial shell space is permitted at 26-34 Church Lane in Wister, Philadelphia. The permit has been amended to revise floor layouts, stair materials and structure.
Official description: NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A FIVE (5) STORY STRUCTURE FOR USE AS A SHELL COMMERCIAL SPACE (USE REGISTRATION & FIT-OUT PERMITS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY) AND THIRTY-THREE (33) DWELLING UNITS WITH ACCESSORY PARKING AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO UTILIZE HORIZONTAL SEPARATION TO CREATE TWO (2) SEPARATE BUILDINGS WITH TWO (2) DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION TYPES (1ST FLOOR - TYPE IA AND 2ND THROUGH 5TH FLOORS - TYPE VA). BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13 AND INCLUDE STANDPIPES PER NFPA 14. FIRE WATCH REQUIRED PER CODE BULLETIN F-2001. *2018 IBC REVIEW* **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK** AMENDMENT APPROVED 11/10/25 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2025-000079 FOR CHANGES TO FLOOR LAYOUTS AND STAIR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND STRUCTURAL REVISIONS AS PER APPROVED PLANS.
- Applicant
- MARKET SQUARE APARTMENTS LLC
- Contractor
- Olympia Construction LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|Unknown/Other
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2025-06-30 · #CP-2025-000079 · Building permit (new construction) · 33 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
A five-story building is permitted at 26-34 Church Lane, in the Germantown and Wister area of Philadelphia. It would hold 33 apartments, with a commercial shell space on the ground floor. A shell space is an empty commercial room that a future tenant must finish and get separate approval to use.
The site is a vacant lot of about 8,400 square feet near Germantown Avenue. The ground floor is a concrete base, and the upper four floors are wood-frame. The building would have eight indoor parking spaces and twelve bicycle spaces. The cost is estimated at about $3.8 million.
County records show the permit was later amended to change floor layouts, stair materials and structure. The one news report found says permits were issued in July 2025. It reports no hearings or organized opposition, and it names no commercial occupant. It also says the project has no designated affordable units.
What it could mean nearby
- Eight indoor parking spaces for 33 apartments means most residents may rely on transit, biking or street parking.
- The building would replace a vacant lot with 33 new homes near the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor.
- The ground-floor commercial space could add a shop or service, but no tenant has been announced.
- The project uses the zoning's full 55-foot height allowance, so it will be noticeably taller than a typical rowhouse.
Where it stands
Building permits have been issued and later amended, so the project has approval to build. Next steps are usually construction, inspections and a separate permit for the commercial tenant's fit-out and use.
- Jul 2025 News outlet reported permits issued for the 33-unit building
- Jun 30, 2025 Latest county filing, covering the amended permit
Want to weigh in? The permits were already issued, so no public hearing is known to be scheduled. Residents can raise questions with the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections or the local registered community organization.
Who's behind it
Market Square Apartments LLC · The company is listed as property owner, with Olympia Construction LLC as contractor. No company website or other projects were found.
Around the web
- Permits Issued for 33-Unit Mixed-Use Development at 26-34 Church Lane in Germantown, Northwest PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia YIMBY · Jul 13, 2025Reports the permits, the 33 units, the commercial shell, eight parking spaces, the vacant lot, the zoning and the owner and contractor names.
Planning terms explained
- Mixed use
- A building that combines homes with commercial space, such as a shop or office.
- Shell space
- A commercial room left unfinished so a future tenant can build it out to suit their business.
- CMX-2.5
- A Philadelphia zoning category for medium-density commercial mixed-use areas that allows apartments over ground-floor commercial space.
- Permit amendment
- A revision to an already issued building permit to reflect design changes.
- Semi-detached
- A building that shares a wall with a neighbor on one side only.
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: $18.5M
- ~1,056 roofing squares
- ~33 HVAC systems
- ~33 kitchens / 66+ bathrooms
- ~92,400 sq ft of finished living space
Contractor or supplier? Get projects like this in the counties you work, by email. Join contractor early access →