A couple of years ago, we brought the vacant 17-19 N. 2nd St. to your attention, noting that it had been empty for over a decade, since the closing of Synapse Cafe. We lamented the apparently deteriorating condition of the structure, especially considering its prime location in a major commercial

As plans for one large-scale development at 43rd & Baltimore in West Philly finish winding their way through the community process, Phase II of another is concluding several blocks away. By June 1st, the northern wing of the Orens Brothers redevelopment of the previously derelict squatter's paradise Croydon Hall at

Over the last few years, there's been a staggering amount of residential development near 8th & Christian, especially considering the fact that Bella Vista is already largely developed. Five homes replaced vacant lots on Darien Street. A nineteen home development took over a former surface parking lot between Christian and

Recall, back in March we told you about plans for the Museum of the American Revolution, which would be replacing a vacant architectural disaster at 3rd & Chestnut. We passed by the site a couple days ago, and spied some progress.Much of facade is goneAwful tower is getting demoed tooMuch

We've had plenty to say about the growth of Frankford Avenue over the last several years, with construction and new businesses appearing up and down the corridor. Just last week, we told you about plans for a retail location for the Kensington Community Food Co-op where Frankford hits Lehigh Avenue.

A reader tipped us off recently that there's some renovation work taking place on the southeast corner of 23rd & Christian. Don't quote us on this but we think it used to be a hair salon. According to the permits, the entire building will soon contain offices.Getting renovatedThe property was

Community groups around town have all sorts of different strategies for raising money to improve their neighborhoods. Some charge dues. Others get significant grants. Still others rely on contributions from the local business community. The leadership of Newbold Neighbors, however, take a decidedly boozy approach to funding their activities.Hicks St., nee

If you've lived in the area for awhile, you surely remember that the 26th Precinct Police Station at the corner of Trenton & Dauphin was blighted and vacant for a really long time. Over the last few years, we covered the wonderful structure's reawakening and its conversion into apartments and a PFCU branch.In

You can tell just by looking that the 4-story building at the northeast corner of 7th & Christian has some history to it.  The sequence of its various stages, however, is a little hazy.  Without a whole lot of concrete information to go on, here’s what we’ve got on 825 S.

A little over a year ago, we brought the blighted 1516 Green St. to your attention. We told about how this building, located next to the Chapel Lofts, became blighted over the years as it was owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. And we expressed hope that it could be