Throughout its history, 219 N. Broad St. has been closely tied to the always-shifting identity of its surrounding area, beginning with its role in the industrialization of Philadelphia.  The image below, taken from G.M. Hopkins’ 1875 Philadelphia Atlas shows that the property was owned by one M.A. Robertson.The property of M.A. Robertson,

A few years ago, James closed after five successful years at 824 S. 8th St. when their lease ended. And we wondered what would replace this popular restaurant, located just a block from the Italian Market. In September of 2012, The Mildred took over the former James space, only to close

In Fishtown, the 300 block of East Girard keeps on popping with new projects. Such is the case at 315 E Girard Ave. where last month workers were inside sprucing up a spot that has changed hands repeatedly in recent years. Most recently, it hosted Leticia's Serenity Studio. Before that, it

The bottom of Abbotts Square on the 200 block of South Street has mystified us of late. Most of the little stores on the block's north side have closed or moved in the last year, which has come on the heels of Chef's Market shrinking to a catering operation called

Several years ago, a fire ravaged 405 Greenwich St., and the remnants of the home remained for a couple of years. By 2012, thankfully, the blighted building was demolished. The lot has sat vacant, catty corner from Grindcore House, ever since.Looked like this for yearsCurrently a vacant lot with a

Earlier this year, a really nice building on the southwest corner of 2nd & Poplar was demolished. It had been vacant for many years despite the improving fortunes of the 2nd Street corridor.Building is gonePassing by the site of the building the other week, we discovered murals where the building

The 1800 block of E. Passyunk Ave. is seeing some action of late, and there's still room for more. At 1805-09 E. Passyunk Ave., the Saint Jude Shop closed its doors last summer and has sat empty for about a year. When we passed by earlier today though, we spied

It was almost two years ago that we first told you about Ingersoll Commons, a ten home affordable housing development from Community Ventures on the 1600 block of Master Street. Since we shared this news, there's been no action at this massive vacant lot that's surrounded on all sides by

An example of spillover development is taking place right now along N. 40th St. between Baring and Spring Garden Streets in University City. You may recall two years ago when the 4000 and 4100 blocks of Baring Street wer transformed from a mouthful of vacant lots into a whole row of

At Front & Jasper in East Kensington, residents have long stared at the vacant former Bromley carpet mill, hoping for redevelopment and praying that it wouldn't catch fire. Though the surrounding neighborhood has improved dramatically in recent years, the building has remained a significant source of blight next to the