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Thu
May 17
2012

Update: First Steel Looks First Rate

Back in November, we gave you the heads up about First Steel, a new Postgreen project at 1703-05 N. Howard St., in Kensington. At the time, this was still an empty lot, and the project was still in the planning stages. We were in the area a few days back, snapping photos of the former Quaker City Dye Works, and noticed something shiny and new on the corner of N Howard & Cecil B.

Yes indeed

Closer look

To remind you, both homes have 4 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms, and the typical Postgreen energy efficiency. 1703 N Howard St. is a little larger, at about 1700 sqft, and is under contract with an asking price of $325K. 1705 N Howard St., slightly smaller at about 1400 sqft, is still available at an asking price of $299K.

Clearly, these houses stick out big time in Philadelphia, with their metal clad facades. No one could argue that they “fit in” with the traditional row homes on the block, nor would anyone suggest that they would be appropriate for say, Society Hill. On the other hand, in a part of town with a tremendous industrial past, the look of these homes echo the spirit of the neighborhood. And considering the number of vacant lots that remain in Kensington, new construction and architectural diversity trumpet a brighter future for a neighborhood that’s been down on its luck for decades.

Image from Postgreen. Future K'House site just out of frame to the left.

Hopefully, K’House, planned for another vacant lot just a few doors down, will be going up in the coming months, adding even more energy to this changing block.

13
COMMENTS
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Posted in Kensington | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments
  • Ty

    I love the design and architectural style, but the surrounding neighborhood looks terrible…

  • Ty

    I love the design and architectural style, but the surrounding neighborhood looks terrible…

  • http://twitter.com/F1rstCitizen First Citizen

    I love the camper.

  • 3rd&Brown

    Except, that firehouse in the background is one of the coolest houses in Philadelphia:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/greathomesanddestinations/10gh-what.html

    In all seriousness, the neighborhood just south of here is improving rapidly. Even if this block in particular looks a bit sketch, there is plenty of good happening all around it.

  • http://philaphilia.blogspot.com/ GroJLart

    Geez, those are ugly. I’d rather have the beat-up old rowhouses next door.

  • http://www.postgreenhomes.com Chad Ludeman

    Thanks for the post! A few more pics in our Twitter feed on this project here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/postgreen/sets/72157626960112514/with/6950204820/

  • me

    Their flatness is ugly.  Absolutely nothing interesting in the design.  Maybe if the window were larger, but as they stand they look like big lockers.

  • http://twitter.com/F1rstCitizen First Citizen

    Yes I love that firehouse.  I have been coveting that for years.  I would love to sit up in the turret and lord over old kensington.

  • http://twitter.com/F1rstCitizen First Citizen

    I can point you to some brick and stucco boxes in G-Ho if you’d prefer.

    At least these are going for a unique aesthetic and not a watered down reproduction of the ubiquitous philadelphia row home.  

  • http://thisoldcity.com This Old City

    Unique imparts one of a kind. They are different and we shouldn’t low ball our expectations by comparing these to G-Ho stucco meh.

    These look like bunkers. I agree with “me.” If you’re going to go with such a flat aesthetic, at least make the windows occupy a majority of the facade’s surface area. The developer did well to plant trees in front of these. Trees will help cover over these buildings, which look like reclaimed shipping container housing.

  • http://twitter.com/phillyrealty Christopher Somers

    Congrats to Chad and Postgreen.  I just finished a rehab personally on the 1700 block of N 3rd St not too long ago.  This area is getting better and better and in my prior comments and blogs is my prediction for the top zipcode of appreciation in the years to come (shhhh). 

  • http://www.facebook.com/charles.radcliffe.94 Charles Radcliffe

    uglier then the vacant lot,how much is that pos?

  • http://nakedphilly.com/fishtown/two-projects-coming-to-york-amber/ Two Projects Coming to York & Amber | NakedPhilly

    [...] patios and roof decks. The sign on the site suggests a second go-round for Postgreen‘s First Steel project, which was constructed earlier this year on Howard Street in Kensington. Sign on 2068-70 E. York [...]

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