Revised design proposed for ‘Ridge Flats’ apartment site in East Falls

Developer David Grasso and Onion Flats Architecture are taking a third crack at an apartment building proposal for the East Falls property they own between Kelly Drive and Ridge Avenue near the Falls Bridge.

The group's latest design for the 4300 Ridge Ave. site calls for a five-story, 142-dwelling-unit project, according to a presentation posted to the website of the Philadelphia Civic Design Review board, which is scheduled to consider the plans Tuesday.

Past versions of what Grasso and Onion Flats had previously called their "Ridge Flats" project were presented to the CDR board in 2014 and 2016. As part of Philadelphia's planning process, the panel offers nonbinding suggestions on the biggest development proposals.

The 2016 plan was for a six-story, 206-unit building with a largely glass facade. The newer design deploys a "glass-and-metal-panel system" for its exterior walls instead, said Howard Steinberg, an Onion Flats co-owner.

Grasso said in an email that the changes were necessary to develop a financially viable project that balances city-imposed development restrictions for the site, community concerns about its scale and the accommodation of lower-story retail.

The group plans to break ground before the end of March, he said.