A reader tipped us off the other day about some impending construction on the 1200 block of N. 25th St. and we couldn't shake the feeling we'd visited the block before. But we couldn't quite figure out when or why. Looking at the Google Street View of the block from a couple years ago, we saw an image of the building that once stood at 1230-32 N. 25th St., and then the lightbulb went on.
We wrote about this building almost four years ago, shortly before its demolition. We were sorry to see the building come down as it had several unique architectural characteristics, most notable that it was too skinny to have a proper front door. As we said previously, we have to imagine that the entrance was at one point more attractive and elaborate than the shed pictured above, but it's now lost to history along with the rest of the building. The ten unit building that was constructed in its place doesn't exactly possess the same character as the old building, as you might expect.
Moving to the north, we spied zoning notices posted at 1248-50 N. 25th St., which are vacant lots closer to Thompson Street. There were homes here until just a couple years ago, though at least one of those homes was sitting vacant.
Developers presented plans recently to the Brewerytown-Sharswood Community Civic Association for two triplexes and got support for the project. The ZBA granted the variances last week. People attending the community meeting got handouts that gave a sense of what to expect when the project gets built. The rendering comes from KCA Design Associates and we especially appreciate what looks like a "green wall" on the front of the project.
Architecturally, this will certainly be several steps up from the other new construction on the block. Here's hoping that the approved triplex across the street at 1223 N. 25th St. will follow a similar design path.