Philadelphia · Germany Hill · #ZP-2026-006236
4889 Umbria St
4889 Umbria St, Germany Hill, PA · 363 homes, apartments
About this project
A semi-detached eight-story apartment building with 363 dwelling units and 380 parking spaces is proposed at 4889 Umbria St in Germany Hill, following partial demolition. An amendment would reduce floor area and occupied area, remove previously approved balconies, and reconfigure the footprint and parking layout.
Official description: FOR THE PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF EXISTING STRUCTURES AS SHOWN ON PLAN; FOR THE ERECTION OF A SEMI-DETACHED EIGHT (8) STORY STRUCTURE. FOR USE AS MULTI-FAMILY (THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (363) DWELLING UNITS) HOUSEHOLD LIVING; FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF EXISTING STRUCTURES ON THE SAME LOT AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED; WITH THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY (380) ACCESSORY OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES, INCLUDING EIGHT (8) ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES AND TWENTY (20) ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING SPACES; TWO (2) ACCESSORY LOADING SPACES; AND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (121) ACCESSORY CLASS 1A BICYCLE PARKING SPACES LOCATED ALONG AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON PLAN. AMENDMENT #1: AMEND TO INCLUDE: REDUCTION IN OCCUPIED AREA AND TOTAL GFA; INCREASE IN OPEN AREA; REMOVAL OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BALCONIES; AND RECONFIGURATION OF THE BUILDING FOOTPRINT, PARKING ENTRANCE, AND PARKING LAYOUT; ALL SIZES AND LOCATIONS AS SHOWN ON THE AMENDED PLANS.
- Applicant
- KERD ASSOCIATES
- Contractor
- Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2026-05-28 · #ZP-2026-006236 · Building permit (new construction) · 363 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The county filing describes a semi-detached eight-story apartment building with 363 homes and 380 parking spaces at 4889 Umbria St in Germany Hill, Roxborough. It would follow partial demolition of what is there now. An amendment would shrink the floor area and building footprint, remove balconies that were approved earlier, and rearrange the parking layout.
News coverage from February 2026 described an earlier version with 369 apartments, down from 384 in an earlier round. The developers were identified as Genesis Properties and GMH Communities. That version had a garage entrance moved to Smick Street, more brick, and more street plantings. A city design committee first criticized the design and later praised the changes. A local civic association remained concerned about parking.
The site is zoned for mixed industrial and residential use, and the earlier plans were described as allowed by right. Some existing industrial space was to remain.
What it could mean nearby
- Parking: the plan has 380 spaces, nearly one per home. Coverage said a neighborhood group still worried about parking and more cars on nearby streets.
- Access: the earlier plan moved the garage entrance from busy Parker Avenue to Smick Street.
- Housing: 363 new apartments would add a lot of rental housing in Northwest Philadelphia.
- Appearance: earlier reviews criticized a fortress-like look, and later changes added brick and plantings.
Where it stands
The project has been through the city's advisory Civic Design Review, and the latest county filing (May 2026) is an amendment that reduces its size. Next, the city would review the amended plans for permits. Its design recommendations are advisory only.
- May 28, 2026 Latest county filing: amendment reducing floor area, removing balconies, and reconfiguring the footprint and parking
- Feb 5, 2026 News report on a revised plan of 369 apartments after the second design review
- Feb 3, 2026 Second Civic Design Review
- Nov 5, 2025 First Civic Design Review
Want to weigh in? Residents can contact the local civic association, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and the district's City Council office. Zoning or permit appeals would go to the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment, if any are filed.
Who's behind it
Genesis Properties and GMH Communities · News coverage names a Philadelphia developer and a Newtown Square developer as the project's backers. The county filing itself lists KERD Associates and Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, which are not confirmed as the developers.
Around the web
- Roxborough apartment development proposalThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Feb 5, 2026Describes the revised 369-apartment plan, the parking and garage entrance changes, and the design committee's response.
- Roxborough apartment building on Umbria StreetThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Nov 6, 2025Covers the project after its first design review.
Planning terms explained
- Civic Design Review
- A city review of large projects' design by an advisory committee, whose advice the developer does not have to follow.
- By-right
- Allowed under current zoning, so no special zoning approval is needed.
- IRMX
- A zoning type that mixes light industrial and residential uses.
- Amendment
- A change to a previously filed or approved plan.
- Semi-detached
- A building that shares a wall with another structure.
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: $87.1M
- ~2,178 roofing squares
- ~363 HVAC systems
- ~363 kitchens / 726+ bathrooms
- ~363,000 sq ft of finished living space