Over a year ago, we attended a meeting in Francisville where representatives from People for People and Project H.O.M.E. presented details about a huge project which was to replace a vacant triangular loton the eastern end of the neighborhood. At the meeting, the neighborhood supported the project, by a roughly 20% margin.

The triangle in question

The project officially broke ground last month, and we recently noticed some walls (or perhaps elevator shafts?) rising from the ground.

From the north

More of the site

This time looking west

As we told you once before, the four story LEED certified building will have 55 apartment units, second floor office space for Project H.O.M.E., a ten-space parking lot, and about 12K sqft of retail space on the first floor, with most of the commercial on Ridge Avenue. The residential units will generally target individuals who require affordable housing, and will include 47 efficiencies and 8 one bedroom units.

Sign on the site

Rendering we dug up online

The project, formerly dubbed Fairmount Gardens, is now being referred to as JBJ Soul Homes. What does JBJ stand for, you may ask?

We're not even kidding.

Yes, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has given a significant donation to get this project off the ground. With the building expected to be finished next fall, perhaps Francisville can expect a free concert to celebrate the building’s completion? How ’bout on the roof of the Divine Lorraine?