At just under 700 units, Post Brothers’ Piazza Alta is the largest residential development in the United States employing prefabricated light-gauge steel for its walls. The project’s size, and its use of new technology, has earned it a 2023 CoStar Impact Award for multifamily development in Philadelphia, as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
The complex at 1099 Germantown Ave. employed what it described as prefabricated light-gauge bearing wall technology. Those pre-assembled walls are made of cold-formed, light-gauge steel, a technology that is more efficient, more sustainable and more affordable than traditional structural steel. Light-gauge steel doesn’t deteriorate like wood and isn’t bulky like structural steel, so it’s an easier material to work with during construction.
Piazza Alta's amenity package includes the Roman-inspired Aqua Foro Pool Club and the largest residential health and wellness center in Philadelphia,
About the project: Designed by BKV Group, the apartments offer four different finishes: Timeless, Scandinavian, Sleek and Ultra-Luxe/Penthouse. Each option comes with a different set of fixtures, finishes, appliances and color palettes. Spa-quality bathrooms feature waterfall rain showers, built-in wall storage and, in select plans, oversized soaking tubs.
What the judges said: “The density provided by the number of units in the Piazza Alta is the missing link to make the Northern Liberties retail market sustainable, and the design makes this the most impactful multifamily project,” said Brad Boone, a senior vice president at Colliers.
They made it happen: Post Brothers CEO Michael Pestronk and President Matthew Pestronk.
