In January, Michael Loonstyn of MJL Properties (the guy who did the condo conversion of the Calvary Church) went before the ZBA requesting a number of variances for 831-53 N 19th St., just south of the bustling corner of 19th & Poplar. The large development will include, as we read the zoning application, thirty-five residential units and a restaurant space with outdoor seating. We’re estimating roughly 2:3 parking, and it seems that all of the residential units above ground level will have decks of some sort.

We snapped some photos of the site a few months back, and then again just last week. Take a look:

In the past

Looking south

Last month, demolition began.

Most of the buildings are gone

Everything is probably down by

…

A piece of literary history is for sale. Again.

“You could smell the odor of urine, s**t and vomit of a half century as it came up through the floor into the bar from the restrooms below,” wrote Charles Bukowski, one of America’s most famous poets, about a corner bar at 17th and Fairmount, when he lived in the area in the 1940s. “It was 4:30 in the afternoon. Two men were fighting in the center of the bar.”

17th Spot today

Well, about a decade ago, that corner location was renovated. The interior Bukowski scene has gone the way of Bukowski, as in it’s gone. Operating as the 17th Spot for about twelve years, it’s currently on the market for $999K, through Nate Nannes, who says he’s gotten a few calls from interested parties. The property was listed for sale…