Bohler Supports New Retail Development in the Heart of Philadelphia’s Italian Market

A long-awaited redevelopment in Philadelphia’s historic Italian Market is moving forward, bringing new retail and dining opportunities to one of the city’s most recognizable commercial corridors.

Midwood Investments and Development is advancing plans for the Shops at the Italian Market, a nearly 28,000-square-foot, single-story retail development along Washington Avenue and South 9th Street. The project could accommodate up to 11 retail tenants, including a 7,000 SF restaurant space with the potential for rooftop dining.

Bohler’s Philadelphia team is supporting the project with integrated site civil engineering design and permitting, along with code-compliant landscape architecture, helping the team navigate the complexities of developing a highly visible urban site.

With deep experience designing and permitting projects throughout Philadelphia, Bohler brings an intimate understanding of the city’s regulatory environment and approval processes. That local knowledge allows the team to anticipate requirements, coordinate design and permitting considerations, and help keep the project moving efficiently through the development process.

“In Philadelphia, understanding how to design a project is only part of the equation. You also need to understand how that design will move through the city’s permitting and approval processes,” said Amanda Albano, Project Manager at Bohler. “Our experience working throughout the city allows us to anticipate those considerations early and integrate them into the design, supporting a more predictable path forward for the client.”

Designed by Perkins Eastman, the Shops at the Italian Market will feature large windows, a brick façade, and setbacks that create additional space for outdoor dining, establishing a welcoming gateway to the Italian Market district.

Midwood submitted a zoning application for the project in July 2026, beginning the approval process for what the developer and retail broker MSC have described as the first ground-up, new-construction retail development in the heart of the Italian Market in more than a generation.

For Bohler, the project reflects the value of combining local expertise with integrated design services to help clients advance complex development in Philadelphia. Learn more.