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West Philadelphia and University City real estate news

I'm Jarrell James, a REALTOR with KW Empower. Every week on ReLLestate I go through the region's real estate news. This page is everything from those episodes about West Philadelphia and University City, newest first.

What's been reported

  1. The Mark, a 34 story, 909 bed student housing tower in University City, opened about 80% occupied. Developers say nothing is in the pipeline behind it.

    , Episode 64

  2. Drexel sold the Lexington Apartments at 3601 Powelton Avenue for more than $5 million, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported.

    , Episode 59

  3. Burlington is moving its corporate headquarters from New Jersey to 3151 Market Street at Schuylkill Yards in University City, a $240 million purchase.

    , Episode 56

  4. A six bedroom Victorian twin near Clark Park in University City listed for $689,000.

    , Episode 48

  5. Vacant lab space is sitting in University City, at the Navy Yard and in Center City, and developers are rethinking those buildings.

    , Episode 48

  6. Permits were issued for a 12 unit building at 716 North 40th Street in Belmont.

    , Episode 39

  7. Developers told Bisnow they have stopped pursuing projects under West Philadelphia's Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay, which requires 20% affordable units in buildings of 10 or more. 67 units have been delivered under it since 2022.

    , Episode 31

  8. Brandywine paid $70.5 million to buy out its partner in the 28 story tower at 3025 JFK Blvd. in University City.

    , Episode 28

  9. The Inquirer compared what $1,900 a month rents in Fishtown, Lower Merion and West Philadelphia.

    , Episode 26

  10. St. Joseph's University sold its 15 building University City portfolio to a nonprofit for more than $50 million.

    , Episode 23

  11. Construction began on a five story, 63 unit building at 4400 Market Street in West Philadelphia.

    , Episode 17

  12. The restoration of Cobbs Creek Golf Course in West Philadelphia is a project of more than $100 million.

    , Episode 12

  13. The Philadelphia Housing Authority broke ground on 88 affordable apartments: 55 in Belmont and 33 in Sharswood.

    , Episode 11

  14. 3151 Market Street, a 14 story, 495,000 square foot office and lab building in University City, neared completion.

    , Philly Rising: Housing Heat, Industrial Beats, New Eats & Taxing Streets

Prices, counts and percentages are what was reported the week each episode ran. They are news about the area, not a valuation of any one property.

Questions about West Philadelphia

Why has new student housing stalled in University City?

Developers point to the 2022 Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay, which requires 20% of the units in new buildings of 10 or more units to be affordable. Drexel's freshman enrollment also fell to 1,918 last year from 3,353 in 2018, according to Bisnow. From Episode 64, November 9, 2026

Where is Burlington moving its headquarters?

To 3151 Market Street at Schuylkill Yards in University City, Philadelphia. The retailer is paying $240 million for the property and is relocating from New Jersey. Tax credits and incentives played a role in the deal. From Episode 56, September 8, 2026

Is there too much lab space in Philadelphia?

Yes, according to Philadelphia Business Journal reporting covered in this episode. Vacant lab and research space is sitting in University City, at the Navy Yard and in parts of Center City, and developers are looking at conversions. From Episode 48, June 29, 2026

What is the Westpark Apartments redevelopment?

A Philadelphia Housing Authority project at 44th and Market streets in West Philadelphia. The $205 million first phase delivers 327 units with retail, green space and a community center, and the full plan is a 1,000 unit mixed income community by 2030. From Episode 39, March 9, 2026

What is the Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay in West Philadelphia?

A 2022 zoning rule that requires 20% of units in new buildings of 10 or more to be affordable. Its sponsor defends it as protection against displacement, while developers quoted by Bisnow say the numbers no longer work and they have stopped looking at sites there. From Episode 31, November 17, 2025

How much of their income do Philadelphia renters spend on rent?

In 2024, 48% of renter households spent 35% or more of their income on rent, according to the Inquirer. The burden was highest in Hunting Park and West Philadelphia. From Episode 27, October 21, 2025

What does $1,900 a month rent in the Philadelphia area?

In the Inquirer comparison covered in this episode: a 646 square foot one bedroom in a new Fishtown building, an 1,100 square foot two bedroom in Lower Merion, or a 1,740 square foot three bedroom rowhouse in West Philadelphia. From Episode 26, October 6, 2025

How are younger buyers affording homes in Philadelphia?

By adapting. Buyers aged 25 to 44 made up most recent purchases in the metro, and common approaches included buying with a friend, sibling or partner, starting with a smaller home, and looking in West Philadelphia, Roxborough and South Jersey. From Episode 12, June 9, 2025

Buying or selling in West Philadelphia?

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Episodes that covered West Philadelphia

More areas: Center City, Fishtown and Kensington, Roxborough and Manayunk, Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy, South Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia. See all.