Le Marceline: A Sustainable Development in East Kensington's Frankford Ave
The commercial corridor along Frankford Avenue in Fishtown and East Kensington has undergone immense growth and revitalization in recent years. As the area increases in popularity, vacant lots for development have become scarce. However, an exciting new project is rising up to transform a previously vacant lot into a sustainable mixed-use development.
Introducing Le Marceline
Le Marceline is a forthcoming development located at 2456 Frankford Avenue in East Kensington. The developer, JDT International, requested a variance in 2021 to combine six parcels at 2449-2455 Martha Street and 2456-2458 Frankford Avenue to construct the new building. After being granted the variance, the team recently obtained a construction permit and has broken ground on the project.
What the Development Will Include
Plans for Le Marceline reveal it will be a four-story structure housing 16 residential units, one commercial space, and six indoor bicycle parking stalls. The renderings showcase a modern exterior blending brick, metal paneling, and large windows. Inside, the residences will feature contemporary interior finishes and appliances.
Focusing on Sustainability
A standout aspect of Le Marceline is its focus on sustainable design and eco-friendly building practices. The architecture firm involved, Bright Common, aims to minimize both the operational and embodied carbon emissions of the development significantly compared to conventional buildings.
Sustainable Features to Reduce Environmental Impact
The developers of Le Marceline have incorporated numerous features specifically to reduce the building's carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Solar Panels
Rooftop solar panels will be installed to utilize renewable solar energy for a portion of the building's electricity needs. Solar power generation avoids greenhouse gas emissions.
Green Roof
A vegetated green roof will absorb and filter rainwater, provide insulation, create wildlife habitat, and lower urban heat effects. The plants and soil also capture carbon.
Energy Recovery Ventilation
An energy recovery ventilation system uses exhaust air to pre-heat or pre-cool incoming fresh air. This greatly reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling.
All-Electric Utilities
Le Marceline will rely solely on electric systems, eliminating fossil fuel combustion onsite for heating, hot water, stoves, and more. Pairing electric systems with renewable energy helps decarbonize buildings.
Sustainable Materials
The facade will feature natural slate and fiber cement lap siding. These durable, long-lasting materials have significantly lower carbon footprints than alternatives like vinyl siding.
Benefits for the Neighborhood
Beyond its sustainable design, Le Marceline offers several benefits as a new development in East Kensington.
Housing Supply
The project adds 16 new residential units to the neighborhood's housing supply, helping meet demand in a popular area with limited vacancies.
Commercial Space
The ground floor commercial unit can accommodate a retail business, restaurant, office or other amenity for residents and the neighborhood.
Urban Green Space
With a central courtyard and walkway, Le Marceline provides pockets of greenery and public spaces to enrich the urban environment.
Site Redevelopment
The development transforms a cluster of vacant lots into a vibrant new building with housing and commercial potential.
Community Revitalization
Le Marceline signals ongoing investment and revitalization in East Kensington, catalyzing further growth and improvements.
Setting a New Standard
As a whole, Le Marceline represents a forward-thinking development in East Kensington's evolution. The project sets a standard for sustainable mixed-use development by incorporating multiple green features to minimize environmental impact. Le Marceline also meets neighborhood needs by adding residential density, commercial potential, and urban green space in a thoughtful manner.
The development's eco-friendly design and construction reflect the broader push towards carbon-neutral and environmentally responsible projects. As climate change concerns escalate, Le Marceline provides a model for how new developments can be designed to have smaller carbon footprints. The project clearly demonstrates that urban growth does not have to come at the expense of sustainability.
In a neighborhood experiencing rapid change, Le Marceline makes an excellent addition by expanding the housing supply in a green-conscious way. The developers behind Le Marceline recognize that new projects can and should prioritize environmental sustainability along with community benefits. This forward-thinking development sets a positive example of how urban infill can evolve responsibly. Le Marceline paves the way for East Kensington's continued transformation into a vibrant, sustainable community.
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