Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘MAJOR COMMITMENTS’
Elie Kahn and Gary Toll plan new apartments on Market Street
A pair of builders is betting that the borough will continue to stay very popular.
Builders Eli Kahn and Gary Toll plan to build approximately 181 “higher end” apartments at the former site of Mitch’s Gym, 322 W. Market St.
The site, measuring about 1.75 acres, encompasses: the former Mitch’s at the former site of a commercial laundry; the past site of the U.S. Social Security office and Human Services; and the sites of Sylvester’s Gulf Station and Al’s Auto.
The site is bounded by Market, Potter, Wayne and Wollerton roadways.
The-five story building,
with a mostly brick façade, might rise 60 feet, the borough limit in that part of the Town Center or TC District.
Two hundred and nine parking spaces will be spread over two floors. Kahn assured the residents that there would be enough parking and new tenants would not encroach on current neighborhood parkers along the curbs.
“The last thing we want to do as developer is not have enough parking,” he said.
The cost in “today’s dollars,” for the project, according to Kahn, is $75 million.
“These are major, major commitments,” Kahn said.
Amenities will include decks, a swimming pool, grilling stations, a dog wash station, a bike repair area, a fitness center and yoga pads,
along with a “pretty dense” landscaping screen, according to Kahn.
The builders intend to provide 10 percent studios, 60 percent one-bedroom and 30 percent two-bedroom units.
Kahn also built Chestnut Square at the corner of Gay and Matlack streets. He said that both projects will have several similarities.
He referred to Chestnut Square as “probably the
most successful (complex) in the suburbs.” All units are leased and there is a waiting list for apartment rentals at Chestnut Square.
“It’s a change from what you people have seen in this block,” Kahn told about 40 residents who attended a public meeting, Tuesday evening at Mitch’s, about the project.
“People want to be here,” the builder said. “This is a hot place to live—a place that people want to be.”
Kahn said that one of the reasons for the success of Chestnut Square is a basic change; post-retired people who need health care are aging in place a little bit longer.
He also said that fewer seniors prefer to live in 55+ communities and are downsizing sooner than before.
“They want the life that comes with these buildings,” Kahn said. He also said that a sense of community and comradery is created.
“People are selling the house they raised their
children in much quicker in the past 10 years,” the builder said.
A resident noted that project was “monumental” and “frightening.”
Kahn told him that the apartment building was fashioned after the Loutrel, in Charleston, South Carolina, which he said is a beautiful, new and modern hotel.
“We are not building a building that will look like it’s 100 years old,” Kahn said. “It will look appropriate
to both the community and tenants.”
Security will be high in both the garages and entrance ways, with many cameras.
Kahn expects the approval process to last a year or more. He expects the project to break ground at the end of 2024. Construction will last about 20 months.
“We are full bore with this and are confident that the borough will approve it full bore,” Kahn said.