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Philadelphia is one of the top cities for live-work-play apartments

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios Philadelphia added 8,000 mixed-use apartments between 2012 and 2021, per a recent , a nationwide apartment-search website.That accounts for nearly 40% of the units built in Philly in that timeframe, securing our city's spot at the forefront of a national housing trend. Why it matters: Rental communities that include residential, office and retail space gained a foothold in the last decade, especially as the pandemic heightened renters' preference for having daily activities close at hand, the report found. The big picture: The number of apartments in "live-work-play" buildings nationwide has quadrupled from 10 years ago, from 10,000 completed in 2012 to 43,700 in 2021, according to Yardi Matrix data.Philly trailed only New York City (49%) and Boston (42%) in share of mixed-use apartments built in that period.Data: ; Chart: Axios Visuals Between the lines: While new buildings are popping up throughout the city, the Philly region in new apartment units expected to come online this year.The region — Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington — ranks 22nd among other U.S. cities for new apartment units set to be completed this year (more than 5,500), according to Joanna Truscan, a spokesperson for Redfin. In Philly alone, 3,301 apartment units are projected to be delivered by year's end. Yes, but: The city is suffering from a , and affordable housing . Plus: Inflation is pushing rents higher, with the median asking rent in Philadelphia hitting in July, up 11.3% over the last year, according to Redfin. The bottom line: Blending different types of real estate is one way cities are in the era of remote and hybrid work. What to watch: The development of the former South Philly refinery into the would further boost the city's live-work-play apartment stock and create a new neighborhood. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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