October 26, 2016
As Temple University's undergraduate population continues to soar, a new proposal would place a 17-story apartment complex just blocks from the heart of the school's North Broad Street corridor.
The proposed residential development, led by 1324 N. Broad LLC. and designed by Cecil Baker + Partners, would sit between Master and Thompson Streets, about four blocks away from the 27-floor Morgan Hall tower that opened to Temple students in the fall of 2013. Between Thompson and Girard, the private 1220 N. Broad complex's 300 units also serve Temple students.
A description of the project in the developer's Civic Design Review report says the project will include ground-level retail and a mezzanine level with outdoor seating in a landscaped courtyard.
In total, the project would bring 180 residential units on floors three through 17.
"1324 N. Broad St. will bring new density, amenities and life to the neighborhood," the developers write. "It will foster pride and excitement among residents with this carefully designed and executed addition to Philadelphia’s burgeoning skyline."
In bits and pieces, North Broad Street has gradually become a site of growing interest to developers, particularly as private student housing expands further into Francisville and surrounding neighborhoods south of the university. The Hanover North Broad project under construction at Broad and Callowhill Streets has been touted as North Philly's eventual gateway in and out of Center City, while the soon-to-be reopened Divine Lorraine will flip back on its iconic lights on Nov. 3.
The Civic Design Review board will comment on the 1324 N. Broad project and five other proposals at its meeting on Nov. 1.
