When we last visited the former home of the Pearl-Pressman-Liberty Printers at 5th & Poplar a few months ago, the old warehouse had recently been demolished in preparation for the construction of twenty-one new homes. In the time since, foundations have been poured for the new homes, allowing the site of this large development to take shape.

Big site

Site plan. North is to the right.

It sure is a good thing to see this project moving forward with a modicum of speed. And now, thanks to the good folks at JKR Partners, we have some visuals for what these homes will look like when they’re completed.

Looking up 5th Street

View on Randolph Street

As you can see above, eight of the homes will front Randolph Street with the other thirteen will front 5th Street. All will have 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, roof decks, and over 2,000 sqft of living space. The Randolph homes will each have two-car garages, while the slightly smaller 5th Street homes will have rear yards and two-car parking in a lot that sits behind the homes. A number of new trees will also be planted on Poplar Street, ostensibly to lessen the impact of the drive-aisle on the street.

In the past

We confess, we’re a little bummed to see Northern Liberties lose a building that ties into its old industrial identity. We wonder whether an adaptive reuse could have been feasible here, instead of an addition to the neighborhood’s diet of new construction single family homes. That being said, we suspect the homes will sell quickly given the location and the amenities, which should only encourage the construction of even more single family homes here in the future.

That is, if developers can continue to find space. But then again, if not, on to Fishtown!