In Francisville

About thirty years ago, the Philadelphia Housing Authority tore down all the homes on the western side of 19th Street just north of Fairmount Avenue, and built a collection of less-than-attractive one-story buildings with front yards. The affordable housing units had deed restrictions which prevented their sale to individuals who didn't meet

A nearly $3M deal will soon translate into Loonstyn Properties constructing two new six unit buildings just north of 20th & Fairmount, as well as renovating 20 existing units along Fairmount Avenue. This past November, Loonstyn Properties purchased 2001-2011 Fairmount Ave., a strip of buildings on the same side of

One of our big predictions for 2014 was that Ridge Avenue would finally take a big step toward reestablishing itself as a relevant commercial corridor. Unfortunately, we're now a few months into the year and little has changed on Francisville's main drag. But if things go well on Wednesday at

Last summer, we gave you some preliminary info about Folsom Powerhouse, a joint venture between Equinox Management & Construction and Postgreen Homes. This project will eventually include thirty-one new units on a mass of land in the southern part of Francisville which has been owned by City agencies for years. Like other

Earlier this week, we told you about a new Francisville foundation, just a few doors north of the intersection of 16th & Poplar. Like those in the quadplexes next door, the apartments in the duplex that will soon rise there will be condoed out. Just a block to the south

Dashing through Francisville yesterday, we came upon a new foundation at 908 N. 16th St., next door to four relatively new quadplexes. Those buildings, which we last updated you on about a year ago when they were still being framed out, are almost definitely rentals and likely home to young

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

For quite awhile, 1825 Vineyard St. has been an overgrown lot at the end of a Francisville block. Nearby, a staggering amount of development has taken place in recent years, centered around the intersection of 19th & Poplar. Dozens of new units have sprouted up, replacing vacant land, blighted buildings,

Just a few years ago, two corners at the intersection of 20th & Parrish were vacant lots. Now, two new homes stand on the northwest corner and another one is on the southwest corner. This speaks to the development we've seen in Francisville of late and the rapid disappearance of

On Fairmount Avenue near 18th Street, we’re wondering if this charming and homey almost Swiss chalet color themed ground-floor corner retail spot at 1811 Fairmount Ave. might attract the eyes of an aspiring entrepreneur in light of the widespread development along neighboring blocks up and down Fairmount Avenue the past