When we last checked in on the 800 block of Opal Street in June, foundations were being dug for two new homes with a garage in the middle. We were in the area yesterday and the construction has definitely progressed.

View through a vacant lot on 20th St.

From Opal St.

Closer look

As we told you back then, these homes were designed by David Traub Architects, and are modeled after a nearby carriage house on Cambridge Street. If you really like the look of the building on Cambridge Street, there’s apparently an apartment inside that’s currently available for rent.

View of the inspirational carriage house

But back to Opal Street. The two homes are not yet on the market, but should be soon and…

Last month, we told you about the early stages of the demolition of the Mount Olive AME church at 19th and Fitzwater Sts., in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood. In the last few days, the demolition has wrapped up, and heavy machinery on the site is now working to dig the eventual foundations for five high-end, new construction homes.

Church is gone

Just across the street, we noticed that another, far less important building is currently being demolished as well. 1822 Fitzwater St. was purchased by Soso Associates a couple of months ago for $185K, and it appears that this developer wants to start with a fresh canvas.

In the past

Yesterday

From a development standpoint, the move certainly makes sense. On this generous 16′x83′ lot, a home with a footprint…

Years ago, we noticed a weird-looking carriage house/warehouse looking building on Dorrance St. in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood. Looking at public record, it appears that it doesn’t exist. It’s got no address on Dorrance St., and clearly isn’t associated with the home that sits behind it on Cleveland St.

Looks rough

This week, we learned that the building is, in fact, associated with 1820 Fitzwater St., the property that sits immediately to its north. Soso Properties purchased the buildings a little more than a year ago, and this week presented a plan to rehab this blighted building at the SOSNA zoning meeting. According to the owner, the building is a wreck inside, and pigeons have been living on the second floor for decades. The owner plans to remove the garage, and create a two-story, single family rental in the…

At the corner of Juniper and Chancellor Sts., a historic building has sat vacant for the past few years.

Lovely

Looking north

Most recently a divey gay bar/club called Key West, the former carriage house has a fascinating history, according to Philly Bricks. The building, constructed in the mid-1860′s, was converted to architectural offices for Walter Mellor, Arthur Meigs, and eventually George Howe, in the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1940′s, the building was converted from offices into Mitchell’s restaurant, which had a nice long run in the space. Key West had a long run as well, operating from the early eighties until just a couple of years ago.

Image from Philly Bricks

In 2009, the bank foreclosed on the property, and has been trying to unload it…