A little less than two years ago, Sowe opened its doors at 22nd & Carpenter, replacing Divan Turkish Kitchen. Located across from the recently rededicated Julian Abele Park and just a block from the popular Sidecar, the stars were aligned for this business to find great success here. But it seems

If you follow this blog with any sort of regularity, then you've surely noticed one overarching theme that's emerged as the years have rolled along. In short, Philadelphia has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of development, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. But that development is by no

In traditionally low-funded areas in West Philadelphia, like neighborhoods including Mantua and Powelton Village, a new designation by the President as a promise zone presents an opportunity for groups in these neighborhoods to receive additional federal dollars for improvement projects.Philadelphia was selected as one of five cities nationwide to be

Last summer, we told you about plans to convert the northwest corner of 5th & Bainbridge, the former home of John C Paul and Sons Paper Company, into a boutique hotel. We'd had our eye on this corner since a year prior, when the long-term operator closed its doors. And

You've probably never set foot on the 1400 block of Montrose Street. It's a skinny block that we're pretty sure can only be accessed from 15th Street but is one-way toward 15th Street. The north side of the block is dominated by a row of Universal Court homes, affordable rental

Close to the waterfront, it seems that a longtime local business owner is looking to capitalize on the wave of residential development unfurling throughout Fishtown.The zoning at 118-120 Richmond St. is for industrial use despite the fact that the block its on is largely residential. Keeping with the approved zoning

Last week, a reader email tipped us off about ongoing demolition at the corner of Cleveland & Tasker. We made our way over there the other day and watched on for a couple of minutes as a crew continued their demolition work, likely started a week or so back.DemolitionIn the

It was about a year and a half ago that we first told you about plans from PMC Property Group to renovate 312 Walnut St., also known as the Walnut Place building. Back then the property had been sitting vacant for years despite its prime location and handsome appearance. But the last eighteen

For years, a triplex-wide lot curiously sat vacant on 18th Street, just half a block from Washington Avenue. When developer Vitaly Paluchenko presented plans for three triplexes at 1021-25 S. 18th St. last year, we mostly wondered what took so long. We eventually realized that it took so long because City agencies owned

It was almost two years ago that we first looked at a double-wide property on the corner of 18th & Wharton that formerly contained a medical office. Back then, we learned of a zoning application to renovate the building and build out a cafe/gallery/music venue in the first floor. By