Philadelphia · Spruce Hill · #ZP-2026-006707
401 S 42nd St
401 S 42Nd St, Spruce Hill, PA · 35 homes, apartments
About this project
Interior expansion of the second floor and loft of a historic building at 401 S 42nd St to create 35 dwelling units under historic-property zoning exceptions.
Official description: To create additional interior floor space on the second floor and loft floor, as per approved plan. For use as 35 dwelling units under historic property exceptions 14-602-7 & 14-801-2(f).
- Applicant
- 401 S 42ND LLC
- Contractor
- DILWORTH PAXSON KALISH & KAUFFMAN
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2026-06-25 · #ZP-2026-006707 · Building permit (new construction)
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
County records describe a plan to convert the second floor and loft of a historic building at 401 S 42nd St in Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia, into 35 apartments. The work is described as an interior expansion, so it appears to reuse the existing building and not add a new one.
The plan relies on special zoning exceptions that apply to historic properties. These exceptions can let owners use old buildings in ways the normal zoning rules would not allow. The records name the owner entity, 401 S 42nd LLC, and a law firm, Dilworth Paxson Kalish & Kauffman.
Searches found no news coverage, community meeting notes, hearing decisions or developer page about this specific project. Details such as the current use of the building, unit sizes, rent levels and who will live there are not known from public sources.
What it could mean nearby
- 35 new apartments would add housing near the 42nd Street corridor, though the county records give no unit mix or rent levels.
- Because the work is inside an existing historic building, the records suggest little new ground disturbance or change to the building's outer footprint.
- No parking, traffic, school or utility information was found, so those effects are unknown.
Where it stands
A county filing dated 2026-06-25 shows the project in the permit or zoning review stage. Usual next steps are zoning and historic review, any needed neighborhood or hearing-board input, then permit issuance and construction.
- Jun 25, 2026 Latest county filing for the 35-unit conversion
Want to weigh in? In Philadelphia, zoning appeals go to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and historic-property questions go to the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Residents can also raise concerns with the local registered community organization for Spruce Hill. No specific hearing date was found.
Who's behind it
401 S 42ND LLC
Planning terms explained
- Historic-property zoning exception
- A special allowance that lets an owner use a historic building in ways normal zoning would not permit, to help keep the building in use.
- Dwelling unit
- A self-contained home or apartment with its own living, sleeping, cooking and bathroom space.
- Loft
- An upper open level of a building, often under the roof, that can be converted into living space.
- Zoning Board of Adjustment
- The city body that decides requests for exceptions or variances from zoning rules.
We searched the web for this project but found nothing beyond the county record, so this explanation is based on the filing alone. 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: $8.4M
- ~210 roofing squares
- ~35 HVAC systems
- ~35 kitchens / 70+ bathrooms
- ~35,000 sq ft of finished living space
Contractor or supplier? Get projects like this in the counties you work, by email. Join contractor early access →