Philadelphia · University City · #CP-2023-002533
34-story apartment tower fit-out, 3615 Chestnut St
3615 Chestnut St, University City, PA · 236 homes, apartments
About this project
A fit-out permit for a 34-story building at 3615 Chestnut St in University City, Philadelphia, providing 236 multi-family dwelling units and 127 group-living units with an accessory parking garage. An amendment removes the underground parking and reservoir spaces at grade.
Official description: FIT-OUT OF THIRTY-FOUR (34) STORY HIGH-RISE NEW CONSTRUCTION BUILDING (SEE PERMIT CP-2022-006785 FOR SHELL CONSTRUCTION) FOR USE AS MULTI-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX (236 UNITS) AND GROUP LIVING ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVEN (127 UNITS) WITH ACCESSORY PARKING GARAGE AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13 AND INCLUDE STANDPIPES PER NFPA 14. *2018 IBC REVIEW* **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK** AMENDMENT APPROVED 4/19/26 AMEND NEW CONSTRUCTION PERMIT CP-2023-002533 TO REMOVE UNDERGROUND PARKING AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND REMOVAL OF RESERVOIR SPACES AT GRADE AS PER APPROVED PLANS.
- Contractor
- Landmark Urban Construction PA, LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Land use
- A-3 Assembly (Worship, Recreation, Amusement, Other)|A-4 Assembly (Indoor Sports)|B Business (Office)|R-2 Residential (>2 Dwellings)|S-2 Storage (Low Hazard)
- Status
- Permit completed
Filing history
- 2024-03-13 · #CP-2023-002533 · Building permit (new construction) · 363 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The project is a 34-story tower at 3615 Chestnut Street in University City, marketed as The Mark. It will hold 363 homes: 236 regular apartments and 127 group-living units, where residents share facilities. Press coverage describes it as off-campus housing for students at nearby universities, with studios up to six-bedroom units and about 909 beds in total. The county filing is a fit-out permit, which covers the interior finishing work. It also notes an amendment that removes the underground parking.
The site was a surface parking lot. Coverage says the lot was fenced off around the start of 2024 and cleared and excavated through that summer. By January 2025, construction was well underway. The developer used the city's affordable housing bonus to build taller, and press called the project by-right, meaning it needed no special zoning approval. No opposition was found. Earlier coverage targeted a 2026 opening.
What it could mean nearby
- Adds 363 homes, mostly for students, which could ease demand for rental housing in nearby neighborhoods.
- Press reports a small parking garage (about 70 cars) entered from Ludlow Street, with the pedestrian entrance on Chestnut Street. The county amendment removing underground parking may change this.
- Replaces a surface parking lot with an active building in the center of University City.
Where it stands
Construction began in 2024 and was well underway by early 2025. The March 2024 fit-out permit and amendment are building-permit steps. Inspections and occupancy approval usually come next, then move-ins. No current completion status was found online.
- Jan 2025 Local news reported construction well underway
- Mar 13, 2024 Latest county filing: fit-out permit with an amendment removing underground parking
- 2024 Site fenced, cleared and excavated, per press coverage
- Jan 2023 Press reported the project, then planned for a 2026 opening
Want to weigh in? Press describes the project as by-right, so no public hearing was found. Questions about permits can go to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.
Who's behind it
Landmark Properties (developer); Landmark Urban Construction PA, LLC (contractor on the filing) · Press describes Landmark Properties as a Georgia-based company that develops and operates student housing and has its own construction arm.
Around the web
- Construction Underway at The Mark at 3615 Chestnut Street in University City, West PhiladelphiaPhilly YIMBY · Jan 18, 2025Reports 34 stories, 363 units, about 70 car spaces, the developer and contractor, and construction well underway.
- The Mark (3615 Chestnut St., University City)PhillyVoice · Jan 12, 2023Describes the by-right project, the affordable housing bonus, the student focus and the planned 2026 opening.
Planning terms explained
- Fit-out permit
- A permit for finishing a building's interior, such as walls, systems and unit layouts.
- Group living
- Housing where residents have private bedrooms but share kitchens or other spaces.
- By-right
- Allowed under existing zoning, so no special approval or hearing is needed.
- Affordable housing bonus
- A city incentive that allows a taller or bigger building in return for affordable housing support.
- Floor area ratio
- The building's total floor area divided by the lot size, which measures how large it is.
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: $56.6M
- ~1,416 roofing squares
- ~236 HVAC systems
- ~236 kitchens / 472+ bathrooms
- ~236,000 sq ft of finished living space
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