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Fri
Jul 20
2012

King of Jeans Reign Coming to an End

Almost exactly one year ago, we brought 1843-45 E Passyunk Ave. to your attention, noting that the iconic home of King of Jeans was on the market for $800K. There’s been a bit of chatter about this building in the last few months, with a potential developer flirting with the property before passing it up, and another developer, wunderkind Max Glass, putting it under contract fairly recently. We’re guessing it’s under agreement for less than the asking price of a year ago.

The building

Earlier this week, Glass presented an information only session to the East Passyunk Crossing community and zoning committee. At this meeting, he discussed plans for twelve one-bedroom units on the upper floors of the building, with rental numbers in the $1,000 range. The commercial space would be maintained, but no possible tenants were mentioned at the meeting. From what we understand, the community had some density concerns, specifically relating to possible parking issues that would result from twelve new apartments on the Avenue. According to EPX Zoning Chair David Goldfarb, the community will explore ways to limit tenants with cars to deal with this concern.

Out of business soon

Meanwhile, King of Jeans is on the way out, and looking to liquidate what we imagine is an ample supply of jeans. No word on what’s gonna happen to the phenomenal sign once it comes down from the building.

Building to the south

Meanwhile, could this development spur Septa to sell the huge building next door? Considering how much action takes place on Passyunk Avenue, this monolithic building that doesn’t interact with the street seems more and more out of place. Does anybody know what happens over there, anyway? Wouldn’t it make a lovely condo conversion?

Make an offer, maybe they'll think about it

13
COMMENTS
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Posted in Passyunk Square | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments
  • Stephen Stofka

    Which begs the question–what exactly is that building for? If it’s a subway substation, I don’t imagine they’ll ever let go of it, for (what I hope are) obvious reasons.

  • Eldondre

    I believe the cracken lives in there. one bedrooms? there goes my dream.

  • Paco

    bought many jeans there got me many dates!  I love this website very informative, thank you.

  • Luchobucho

    I think the building was a trolley substation. 

    It is not currently in use.  I think it would make an exccelent produce market.

  • guest

    There were 10 community members at the meeting and no one seemed necessarily pleased with the proposed development of the building into 12 apartments. 

    The only person in the room that was outwardly warm to the developer’s proposal was Joe Marino who, after an uncouth comment about the stiffness of his paper, suggested the apartments be for fixed income citizens. The developer suggested they would be marketed to 20-somethings…

    The developer seemed indifferent towards concerns.

    The next meeting is on August 22nd @ 7pm 

    1729 S. 11h Street (middle of the three building on the campus of Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, north of the main building) Everyone welcome!

  • philly

    There were 10 community members at the meeting and no one seemed necessarily pleased with the proposed development of the building into 12 apartments. 

    The only person in the room that was outwardly warm to the developer’s proposal was Joe Marino who, after an uncouth comment about the stiffness of his paper, suggested the apartments be for fixed income citizens.

    The developer seemed indifferent towards concerns and suggested the apartment would be marketed to 20-somethings like him.

    The next meeting is on August 22nd

  • AMAC

    Any renderings for the proposed apartments at this site? 

  • Thesestreets

    I hear that, if density and parking are major concerns for you, there are plenty of places out in the suburbs to live.

    Just a thought.

  • Guest

    I feel “philly” mischaracterized the meeting in the comments below.  I especially don’t agree that the developer was ‘indifferent.’  I think he’s open to working with the community, but needs to balance that with the realities of Philly’s high renovation costs & modest rental rates.  Rather than waging an email debate, I encourage folks to come out to the next meeting regarding KOJ and hear for themselves.  NOTE: it’s not yet determined that KOJ will be on the Aug. 22nd agenda. For more information, you can sign up to receive zoning and other notices from EPX at http://www.epcrossing.org

  • Defs

    For the record, the King of Jeans is on East Passyunk Avenue just above Mifflin…which is right in the middle of the East Passyunk Crossing neighborhood, not Passyunk Square.  EPX boundaries = Tasker to Snyder, Broad to 8th St.  Any chance you could you move this post to the correct neighborhood?

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  • GUEST

    Everyone keeps building these thousand dollar one bedroom apartments… how can people afford it all? If South Philly is getting this expensive, where is everyone going to go? I make 40 grand a year, 1-2 year out of school— no way I can afford all of that.

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