The other day, before the sidewalks turned to snow and the streets turned to ice, we spotted an impressive ongoing demolition effort at 1400 Ellsworth St., a former school. A couple years back, we recall hearing about plans to build an addition onto this building to create something called the

The Walnut Street Theatre proclaims itself to be the oldest theatre in the United States.  So it should come as little surprise that we don’t really know what stood at 9th & Walnut before the theatre’s conception.  Still, the Walnut has undergone quite a few changes over its long and

When the Spring Garden Deli, located in the Parkway House at 22nd & Spring Garden, closed its doors in October of 2012, we were under the impression that the retail space would be eliminated and turned into additional apartments. We lamented the loss of the corner commercial space, but figured

Almost a year ago, we told you about the possibility that three homes on the 1900 block of Titan Street would be demolished and rebuilt. One in particular, 1944 Titan St., seemed like an attractive candidate as it was sitting vacant and blighted at the time. All three are owned

A little less than two years ago, Sowe opened its doors at 22nd & Carpenter, replacing Divan Turkish Kitchen. Located across from the recently rededicated Julian Abele Park and just a block from the popular Sidecar, the stars were aligned for this business to find great success here. But it seems

If you follow this blog with any sort of regularity, then you've surely noticed one overarching theme that's emerged as the years have rolled along. In short, Philadelphia has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of development, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. But that development is by no

In traditionally low-funded areas in West Philadelphia, like neighborhoods including Mantua and Powelton Village, a new designation by the President as a promise zone presents an opportunity for groups in these neighborhoods to receive additional federal dollars for improvement projects.Philadelphia was selected as one of five cities nationwide to be

Last summer, we told you about plans to convert the northwest corner of 5th & Bainbridge, the former home of John C Paul and Sons Paper Company, into a boutique hotel. We'd had our eye on this corner since a year prior, when the long-term operator closed its doors. And

You've probably never set foot on the 1400 block of Montrose Street. It's a skinny block that we're pretty sure can only be accessed from 15th Street but is one-way toward 15th Street. The north side of the block is dominated by a row of Universal Court homes, affordable rental

Close to the waterfront, it seems that a longtime local business owner is looking to capitalize on the wave of residential development unfurling throughout Fishtown.The zoning at 118-120 Richmond St. is for industrial use despite the fact that the block its on is largely residential. Keeping with the approved zoning