Last spring, we told you about plans for a nice new building on a long-vacant lot on the northeast corner of 19th & Fairmount. We hadn’t seen any progress at the site in the half a year since. That is, until the other day.

In the past

The other day

Yes folks, ground has broken at 1833-39 Fairmount Ave., where we spotted a growing hole in the ground a couple of days ago. In case you don’t recall, this project will include a four story building with fifteen rental apartments, seven onsite parking spaces, and a grocery/sandwich shop/cafe space, a la DiBruno Brothers. Canno Architecture & Design are the architects on the project, and here are some drawings, in case you forgot what this place is gonna look like.

Awesome

View on Fairmount Ave.

Some neighbors on Olive St., the small side street located at the rear of the property, were concerned about the height of the structure overwhelming their mostly two story homes, but we’re guessing that some sort of an agreement was reached with the developer, as the needed variances were granted back in May.

In all, this project is a huge win for Fairmount Avenue, with a smart looking and extremely functional building replacing a vacant lot. Hopefully, a new Chomsky mural will pop up somewhere, replacing the image that will soon be covered. If you squint at the mural now, it almost seems like Noam is bracing for the inevitable…

Sad but accepting Chomsky