A former Kraut House in Fishtown just off Delaware Avenue could soon be razed to make way for eighteen single-family homes, pointing to the continued residential resurgence in a formerly industrial area near Allen Street in Fishtown. This is an area where several projects have occurred, but this would be one of the bigger ones.
In the spring of 2013 we reported that the property, a one-story sky blue faded building at 950 Shackamaxon St. that stretches back for half a block onto Allen Street, was for sale. The asking price: $1.5M. The building was owned by the Kissling family that ran the Kraut House for many years. Earlier this week, developers presented plans to Fishtown Neighbors Association to demolish the building and replace it with townhomes with 1:1 parking. The project was supported, 26-6. With the community on board, now it's on to the ZBA. Assuming they endorse the project, look for work to get moving soon. Even if they don't, we'd imagine demolition will start soon.
Now let's talk infill and other projects around here. Last spring, we told you about plans to knock down a one-story garage at 958 Shackamaxon St. and in its place build four units with parking and an industrial garage on the ground floor. Though that project got approval, work hasn't started yet. Just down the block at 131-33 Allen St., an old stucco home was razed and in its place two four-story homes were built last year. All of these parcels are a couple of blocks and a walk under I-95 from Girard Avenue, where a mixed-use building that houses Palm Tree Market was completed in recent years. There on East Girard, you're hard-pressed to find an intersection where you cannot see new development taking place. The Kraut House is one more old industrial Fishtown site going the way of new homes. Look for the trend to continue in the years to come.