Posts

While we are not fond of empty lots, some are admittedly nicer than others. From old asphalt to dirt to overgrown weeds, a neglected plot of land rarely provides much value to the neighbors. So when we heard through the Civic Design Review about the project proposed for an "empty" lot at 4701-15 Wayne Ave. in Germantown, we expected more of the same. But lo and behold, is that a wood fence we see, with [...]
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For as much as we love Philadelphia and everything it has to offer, we occasionally pine for an elevated view of the city that doesn't require Spiderman-like abilities. So when we were over in East Falls recently, we certainly appreciated overhead the view from the train station. The tree-lined winding path of Midvale Avenue is a lovely sight on its own, but even more so when we have some development news to go along with [...]
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Chestnut Hill is undeniably charming and adorable, sporting some of the most picturesque streets in the entire city. The historic architecture, cobblestones and mature trees can give the impression of a neighborhood frozen in time. And for one former gas station, the neighbors are wishing they could turn back the clock. The property at 10 Bethlehem Pike, just north of Germantown Ave., is currently in the midst of a prolonged disagreement about what the future [...]
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Over the last several months, we have gotten very, very familiar with Germantown Ave., from Northern Liberties all the way to Chestnut Hill. We have found ourselves especially busy on the east side of Germantown, where a couple of projects have recently caught our eye. It appears we might have another to add to the mix in the very near future at the former home of the now-defunct Comer Paper Company. 6237-45 Germantown Ave. looking [...]
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Wayne Junction has been undergoing a transformation on the east side of Germantown, near the regional rail station. And just steps from Germantown Ave. comes 113-29 Berkley St., right around the corner from the Frank Furness-designed Wayne Junction Station, which was designated as part of a historic district in 2018. This area’s industrial past is still very much in the here and now, as copious industrial buildings can be found all around the area. Unfortunately, [...]
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5700-04 Germantown Ave. has had a long and interesting life at a major crossroads within Germantown’s main commercial strip. With a few recent L&I violations to pair with the graffiti and broken gates, this building that was most recently a Villa Shoe Store has certainly seen better days. But we are very pleased to report that based on a recent zoning permit, it looks like this building that has anchored the intersection for ages will [...]
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Ridge Avenue is one of our favorite roads in Philadelphia. It appears, randomly and seemingly out of nowhere, on the 900 block of Wood Street in Callowhill. Fun fact, once upon a time it started at 8th & Race, but the creation of I-676 wiped out its first couple blocks in the 1980s. From its starting point in downtown Philadelphia, it winds its way through a bunch of neighborhoods, ignoring the grid and alternating between [...]
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And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife C'mon! Hold on tight! C'mon! Hold on tight! Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night I can see paradise [peak] by the dashboard light Meatloaf notwithstanding, let's take a look at another project that's currently getting rolling in the Paradise Hills/RAH/Allegheny West neighborhood. A few months back, we told you [...]
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John Jacob Gorgas emigrated to the Pennsylvania colony in the late 1600's with a fella named Wilhelm Rittenhouse. Mr. Rittenhouse, who founded the first paper mill on this side of the Atlantic, was the patriarch of a rather famous Philadelphia family, and you've probably heard of a certain Center City park named for his nephew. The Gorgas family, which also engaged in the paper making trade, was a touch less famous than the Rittenhouse family, but they still [...]
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Since 1965, the 4500-6600 blocks of Germantown Ave. have been listed as a district on the National Historic Register. The blocks of Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill were listed in 1985, and the gap between these districts was closed in 1987, as the 6700-7600 blocks joined the register. We were under the impression that some of these blocks had been listed on the local historic register for years, but we've learned that this is not the [...]
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