It’s been a little while since we last checked in on the 3000 block of W. Stiles Street, as our last visit came over three years ago when we told you about a quartet of homes that were getting renovated. Like many others in Brewerytown, this block has been trending up in recent years, swapping blight for renovation. Despite this, a vacant lot has remained intact at 3018-22 W. Stiles St., seemingly ripe for new construction. It turns out, it’s a little more complicated than it looks at first glance.

The lots on Stiles Street are actually the overgrown rear yard of a six-unit building on Girard Avenue. In order for new homes to rise on Stiles Street, the owner of the property needs to subdivide it, a move that will require the approval of the ZBA. That’s why representatives of the developer presented plans for three homes on Stiles Street to the Brewerytown-Sharswood Community Civic Association last week. The project got community support, which gives us a sense that the ZBA will likewise grant their blessing.

This project seems like a positive step for this block, as it will eliminate a prominent and lingering sign of years of disinvestment. As we’ve noted over time, this block has improved by leaps and bounds, and by filling a large vacancy, this project will continue that trend.

This has turned into a pretty nice looking block, something we wouldn’t have predicted even half a decade ago. We’re still regularly amazed by the transformation that’s happened/continues to happen in Brewerytown.

Disclosure: OCF Realty, parent company of Naked Philly, is the broker for this project.