Topping the East Falls Community Council’s (EFCC) zoning agenda as 2026 kicked off has been the proposal for the development of 4401 Ridge Ave. – at Ridge Ave. and Merrick Rd. — by 4401 Ridge LLC, which proposes a 257-unit, 8-story front 6-story rear series of connected buildings on the 1.85 acre site. The developers also have a management arm called MGMT Residential that will manage and maintain the development once completed.

The project went before the  Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 25th, 2026, at 2 pm for a refusal hearing for earth moving on a steep slope as it will be partially constructed on a steep slope. The developers meet all other requirements of the zoning code for mixed commercial use CMX-3. The required public meeting was held on February the 18th by Zoom at 7 pm.

The property is owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), which is disposing of the property to the highest bidder on behalf of HUD. The value of the property was assessed at $5 million as PHA put the property on the chopping block in 2025.

In 2021 and 2022 this site was the subject of a lengthy stand-off between the EFCC and a Baltimore developer who sought to buy the property from the PHA to construct a 185-unit building that would have risen nine stories in the rear with essentially a small commercial space at the Corner of Ridge and Merrick with apartments above, and the balance of the site would have been terraced into open parking lots. After much debate and a vote by East Falls residents attending meetings on the issue, the EFCC opposed the proposal. The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) however approved the variances causing EFCC to appeal the decision. However, as the appeal proceeded, the PHA withdrew its offer to sell and subsequently reposted it for sale which is why we have seen this new proposal.

The new proposal occupies more site area as the building will occupy its Ridge Avenue frontage and will therefore be able to accommodate more units than the previous proposal. All 217 parking spaces will be provided within the building footprint leaving the balance of the site as open area and landscape.

The developer has adjusted the building’s design to incorporate many improvements suggested by the EFCC Zoning Committee. The zoning variance approval was granted at the hearing on 03.25.2026. Construction permits and all required approvals are under application. It is understood that groundbreaking will be in January 2027.

 

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