Rowhouse owners in Philadelphia are expanding their living or rental spaces by adding an additional floor to their properties, writes Inga Saffron for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
These vertical additions, known as overbuilds, are nothing new. But the 10-year housing boom and recent zoning code change allowing for taller houses has dramatically increased their number.
Now, so many third floors are being added that neighborhood groups say they are starting to change the look of the city.
Overbuilds are popping up all over, but the majority are still concentrated in the affluent neighborhoods near Center City.
And with finding reasonably priced homes getting harder in places such as Rittenhouse or Bella Vista, buyers are starting to crowd into two-story homes that they can expand.
The trend has been mostly positive for the city, as it gives Philadelphia a chance to compete with the suburbs by giving people a way to expand their home.
However, one of the main issues with overbuilds – according to Kevin Brown, chair of the South of South (Street) Neighborhood Association – is that they need to be set back eight feet from the front of the house.
“We’ve been all disappointed aesthetically with the way the setbacks look,” said Brown.
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