Rising housing demand in West Philadelphia has created a need for new residential development that balances affordability with neighborhood character. At 53rd and Whitby, The Spak Group advanced a mixed-use, mixed-income project designed to respond to this context. O Z Collaborative designed Wade Flats II as a three-story, 15,000-square-foot building with sixteen residential units and ground-floor commercial space. The development blends affordable and market-rate units, allowing for increased density while supporting a more inclusive housing model. The building sits adjacent to Wade Flats I and within a neighborhood of two- and three-story rowhomes. The façade mediates between these conditions through material variation and window proportions that reduce perceived scale and align with surrounding structures.

Residential units are organized to maximize light and livability, with open layouts and large windows. Lower-level units include sunken garden courtyards that extend living space outdoors. Sustainable features include a green roof for stormwater management and reduced heat gain, along with indoor bicycle storage. Wade Flats II introduces new housing while reinforcing the scale and character of the neighborhood.