Orianna House Finally Gets Started at 3rd & Girard
166 units over commercial space are now underway at former lumber yard site at Northern Liberties' upper edge
Some projects seemingly enjoy taunting passersby, sitting stubbornly paused/empty/incomplete as visions of a better built environment dance in our heads like Saquon Barkley spin moves. The massive 30K sqft lot at 310 W. Girard Ave. would most definitely qualify for this, with the old J.T. Riley Lumberyard that held down this site for over 100 years (!) closing over a decade ago. Since then, proposals have come and gone, but until very recently, the huge surface parcel sat empty and forlorn. Thankfully, both the present and the future here are going to look a little bit different than the recent past.
That’s right, construction is now in full swing for this seven-story, 166-unit, mixed-use structure. After going to Civic Design Review with plans for six stories and 185 residential units back in 2021, the plans that were approved (after a trip to the ZBA to get zoning approval for residential units) are slightly different, with the aforementioned new floor and unit count. Two commercial spaces along Girard Ave. will flank the entrance to a landscaped courtyard with two lobby spaces. Additionally, this design from T + Associates will feature 50 car parking spaces as well as 50 bike spaces, accessible from N. 3rd St. to the east. Rounded corners along the ground level and a green roof complete the extremely contemporary look.
Seeing this moving ahead is both exciting and surprising, as we hadn’t expected to see this one come back from the dead - or at least awaken from its long-term slumber. We love the commercial spaces along Girard, though we would be OK with curb cuts on both 3rd and 4th for parking access. We are also intrigued by how the final product will look compared to the renderings. Oh, and this isn’t the only thing happening in the immediate vicinity.
First, we come to 332-34 W. Girard Ave., currently a one-story brick building. But thanks to the daily zoning report issued just yesterday, we know a two-story addition is coming, bringing four units over commercial space, along with another roof deck. Just across the street at 323-25 W. Girard Ave., the future is a bit fuzzier. It appears this property was sold back in March 2024 after some recent demo, but permits aren’t giving us any clues as to what we might see rise on this seemingly active site.
With all of these projects in different stages of progress, it is pretty incredible to think about how different this intersection will feel and function in the coming years. With Piazza Alta basically completed a block or so to the east and plenty of other action taking place to the west (hint hint), Girard Avenue’s future as a residential corridor seems almost guaranteed, despite zoning limitations along this exact stretch. With its charming/useful trolley line and the El close by, we expect things to continue to evolve along Girard - even with these restraints on this major arterial road.
Nice improvements to the neighborhood.
Looks like the "LUMBER, J.T. RILEY inc." sign has been removed, hopefully to be reused in the new building. What was once purely utilitarian is now art.