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Mixed-Use Planned for Historic Art Deco Showroom on Fairmount

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Revitalization in this neighborhood continues

Revitalization efforts near North Broad Street continue with the news that a historically-certified Art Deco building is poised to become a mixed-use development.

Naked Philly reports that developers are planning to build a three-story addition to the property at 1501-05 Fairmount Avenue, which was designed by Samuel Baylinson in 1929 as an auto showroom. It was added to the city’s Register of Historic Places last year.

The developers’ application calls for converting three lots into one, dividing the ground floor into two commercial spaces, and erecting the addition which will be no taller than 52 feet. It will include 20 residential units and seven bike spaces.

The developers have not officially settled on the property yet, so it’s not clear who the new owners will be. But when it first listed for sale in 2015, Property reported that some "heavy hitters" were actively interested in the showroom, given its prominent location and history.

Called Overseas Motor Works, the Art Deco building stands out along Fairmount Avenue, thanks to its two-story tower and architectural significance. It’s not far from the adaptive-reuse project AF Bornot Dye Factory Works, which was converted into apartments and single-family homes, and just down the street from the Divine Lorraine Hotel.

The application goes to the ZBA on Tuesday, June 21 at 9:30 a.m.