Esteemed developer Virgil Procaccino has an agreement of sale to purchase the Pain Center, located on the southeast corner of 12th and Lombard Sts.

Pain Center

Unfortunately named but rather well located, this medical center’s days appear to be numbered, contrary to our speculations back in September. At the time, we suggested that a buyer would likely retain the existing forty-year-old building and maintain its current use.

According to the Washington Square West Civic Association’s blog, the developer presented preliminary plans last week to demolish the building and replace it with six single family homes with off-street parking. While losing an existing building is never our first choice, we imagine that the new homes planned by this developer will represent an upgrade over the brutalist structure that we have now.

Virgil Procaccino has been involved in development in Philadelphia since 1979, according to a press release from a couple of years ago, published when he listed his Queen Village residence for sale. This property, which was at one point featured in the Wall Street Journal, was ultimately sold for $2.25M. Procaccino has apparently done design work for local luminaries Joan Shepp and Stephen Starr and well as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Franklin Institute.

We don’t know exactly what these new homes will look like, nor do we expect them to be at the same level of luxury or price point as Procaccino’s former home. But we can certainly expect something at least a step or two up from a “Graduate Hospital Special.” And that is certainly a relief.

Can’t wait to get some more details…