Back in April, we told you about the plans to build a CVS in the large parking lot on the corner of 22nd & South. The construction has been racing along for the past few months now, and the time has finally come! According to their media department, the new store will open on November 18th.

In the past

Current view

The corporate CVS location looms over the many independently owned shops in the area, which includes Ants Pants Cafe, Bicycle Therapy, Cat Vet, L2, and others. It’s also only a stones throw away from other CVS locations at 15th and Spruce and 11th and South. And perhaps you’ve noticed that there are three more pharmacies on the 1700 block of South Street alone?

Looking toward the other pharmacies

Some area residents responded to news of the CVS with a pout. Neighbors were not…

A reader checked in, asking for some insight into why the new CVS going up at 22nd and South Streets will merely be a one-story structure. They wondered why additional density wasn’t being considered for a corner that could, at the very least, handle another two stories. They were even kind enough to provide an example of where this has been successfully executed- the newish CVS at 4th & Spring Garden.

Front of the CVS

View from Lawrence St.

Yes, it’s true. This CVS has three apartments above, all currently available for rent. Two 2 bed/2.5 bath units with deck access are available for $2,450/mo, and one 1 bed/1.5 bath unit is available for $1,950. According to the rental listing, the amenities are pretty good, and the access to CVS is pretty much second to none.…

Last month, we confirmed that CVS was indeed coming to South Street West, replacing a surface parking lot.

In the past

The other day, we noticed that work has begun at the site at 22nd and South Sts., with the old fence removed, concrete and dirt moved around, and some lovely, mature trees coming down.

Present day

Another angle

It’s certainly a shame to see the greenery eliminated at the expense of the new construction, but we can’t say we expected this extremely desirable lot to remain a surface parking lot for much longer. Hopefully, they’ll have room to plant a couple of new trees in their little parking lot.

Coming soon

Last summer, we gave you the heads up about plans for a CVS to take over the large parking lot on the southeast corner of 22nd and South Sts., and that plan finally appears to be moving forward.

The parking lot

Representatives from CVS have been meeting with stakeholders in the area, and the plans for the site have been revealed. The store will take up over 9,000 sqft and will have its main entrance at the southeast corner of the intersection. Behind the pharmacy, with a curb cut on South St., will be a small lot with eight parking spaces, including one handicapped spot. Looking that the site plan, it appears that the new building will butt up against the the westernmost home on the 2100 block of Kater St., which seems kind of curious to…

A new development is on the horizon at 3901 Walnut St. now that the Philly Diner in University City has closed after a decade.

No longer "open." Photo from the DP.

This block has been transformed in recent years with the construction of the Radian, a 14-story building with a numerous retail offerings including CVS, a Capogiro, Sweetgreen, City Tap House (try the filet), and others, along with scores of apartments on the floors above. With the new building’s ultra-modern, industrial, love-it-or-hate-it architecture, the former diner and the adjacent Campus Copy Center look just a little worn, if nothing else.

Under the Button first broke the news of the diner’s closing on October 16. The building is owned by UPenn, whose…

Looking southeast toward the parking lot

Currently, a parking lot occupies the huge open space at the southeastern corner of 22nd and South Sts. According to public record, the lot is owned by Grasso Holdings, which also owns almost the entire northern side of the block and is currently working on a mixed use project that will include apartments and retail. But we’re hearing that Grasso may have recently sold the lot for a staggering price.

Coming Soon: City Fitness, Doggie Style, Honey's

With over 12K sqft of land, this lot could accommodate a host of different uses. A Stephen Starr restaurant? 22nd and South didn’t exactly work for Mr. Starr once upon a time. A third Honey’s, for when the line across the street is too long to bear? Might be excessive.…