Sometime in the last few months, the Lucky Food Market on the southwest corner of 17th & Federal got an exterior makeover, changed their name, and got some new signage. Nobody would argue that they were in need of this upgrade.A couple years backNow, the building looks much better and the

On West Girard in Brewerytown, a number of ongoing renovations are poised to contribute to the renewal of the commercial corridor. Perhaps the most endearing project is the conversion of the slightly bruised historic former St. Augustine Church, built in 1888, on the northwest corner at 27th & Girard, into

It was over two years ago that we first spotted earth moving around on the 800 block of N. American Street, next to the vacant former Ortlieb's Brewery buildings. For quite some time after, it was radio silence for this property. But in late 2012, new owners purchased 824-36 N.

1601 Latona St. has looked terrible for years. The other day, we found out from a reader that the property could soon be making a comeback. Passing by yesterday, we spotted zoning notices on the property.Coming down Latona St.From across the streetAccording to the L&I Map, there's a plan out

A couple of years ago, then Council-President Verna introduced a bill that banned three story homes in Point Breeze which was quickly buried by a wave of opposition. The new zoning code, when it came out a year and a half ago, required that new three-story homes adjacent to existing

When we bought a coffee table there fifteen years ago, Uhuru Furniture felt like it very much belonged on the 1200 block of Spruce Street. "Midtown Village" was barely an idea in Tony Goldman's mind, and the Gayborhood had a much grittier vibe in general. But a decade and a

At 18th & Girard, across the street from the stately Church of the Gesu and Saint Joe's Prep, an old building that appears long shuttered and runs up next to a vacant triangular lot on Ridge Avenue has us thinking one thing: opportunity. For evidence, consider the range of development

It was about a year and a half ago that we first told you of plans to convert the Annunciation BVM school at 12th & Wharton into apartments. As the time has passed, the project wound its way through the neighborhood association process, the zoning process, and now much of

Last summer, NLNA approved plans for eight new homes on Front Street, across from eleven recently built homes and next to a new Crossfit Gym. For months after, 933-37 N. Front St. remained vacant. But passing by the other day, we spotted eight new(ish) foundations running westward and downhill, toward

Last spring, we told you that the former auto supply store at Girard & Marlborough had been sold. This building had lovely bones, but its very active commercial use over the years resulted in a painted facade and plywood-covered window openings. Our assumption when the building was sold was that