In between the still new 33-unit mixed-use project on the 1500 block of Fairmount Ave., and another 15-unit mixed-use project on the 1900 block, a local longtime business owner has sold 1710-16 Fairmount Ave., an art deco building that’s seen better days.

The building

According to the Spring Garden Civic Association’s website, the owner has sold the properties to a family that plan to historically restore the facade and convert the building into residential apartments with a ground-floor commercial space below. According to public record, Drahthaus LLC, located in Wilmington, DE, purchased the building in December, 2012 for $450K.

Closer look

Should be awesome when they're done. Great bones.

This development will represent yet another pastry in the baker’s dozen of new retail that’s popped up along Fairmount Avenue in the past few years. Some of those locations were created by the Loonstyn development at Uber & Fairmount, near 20th Street. Still others will be created by the Project H.O.M.E. Development at Ridge & Fairmount just shy of Broad Street. And of course there are those mixed-use developments that we mentioned above. And other one-off spaces, too.

Yes, we’ve seen equal opportunity development on Fairmount when it comes vacant lots or redevelopment and/or replacement of old buildings. And along Fairmount, there are still a few, like the Mortgage Security Building on the 1800 block. Or that big empty warehouse on the southeast corner of 17th & Fairmount. 

Stay tuned as we see what kind of new retail is in store for Fairmount Avenue. Of course, you know when the news breaks we’ll be all over it.

–Lou Mancinelli