Since before it opened last September, we’ve been talking up Union Transfer and the neighborhoods that surround it. Along Spring Garden Street, restaurants have sprung up, along with a neighborhood coffee and tea spot. To the north, the “Spring Arts” neighborhood continues to see rapid redevelopment, with even more on the horizon. And to the south, the Loft District has seen some new construction and adaptive reuse, but additional development opportunities remain.

Which brings us to 448 N 10th St., the building that currently houses Cuckelberger & Company. Aside from having one of the cooler business names we’ve ever heard, these guys also happen to inhabit one of the cooler looking buildings in the area.

Front door

Looking up

According to Philaphilia, the building was constructed in 1917 or…

Last week, we told you about plans to construct a large building on the 1200 block of Buttonwood Street, next door to the most excellent Prohibition Taproom. Well, it seems like the development spirit is alive and well on this block, as we have news today about another development that’s apparently coming to this block, after being approved by the ZBA in January. This project will take place on the vacant lot at the southeast corner of 13th and Buttonwood, across the street from the bar and the proposed development that we mentioned the other day.

The lot

Developer JW Property Investments LP purchased this lot (actually three separate lots), along with 1236 Buttonwood St., an existing home, for $480K about a year and a half ago. Their plan is to fix up the house, and build…

A vacant, 5,000+ sqft lot immediately next door to Prohibition Taproom looks like it won’t be vacant for much longer. Under contract at an asking price of $425K, a zoning application for 1241 Buttonwood St. is being heard today by the ZBA.

Huge vacant lot

Bar next door

According to the application, developer Carmel Developments intends to build a four story building that will be as tall as 55′. This would be considered quite tall in a largely residential neighborhood, but around these parts, with former factories and warehouses nearby, we don’t think the height will be an issue at all. The building will have ten parking spaces in the basement, one ADA van stall, and bicycle parking as well. The property will also have three private roof decks.

One thing…

Back in September, we brought an odd building to your attention in the Loft District. 449 N 13th St. is a new construction building with two condo units that channels the area’s gritty industrial past with bold design choices.

Awesome

And now, the building immediately to the south, 439-47 N 13th St., looks like its on its way toward redevelopment.

Change is comin'

According to the zoning application, Lofts Development LLC intends to pile two stories on top of the existing building, add bay windows along the 13th St. side and the Hamilton St. side, and create 11 apartment units. The vacant lot next door will contain eight parking spaces.

Future parking lot

This project highlights the increasing desirability of this area. With Prohibition…

A few months ago, we wrote about the anticipated reopening of the Trestle Inn, a former go-go bar at the southeast corner 11th and Callowhill Sts. The bar opened a couple of weeks ago, keeping the old name and the go-go dancers, too. The new place, owned by Ian Cross and Josette Bonafino, plays homage to bars of the 1960′s and 1970′s, with retro music and dancers on most nights. Vintage projections and classic cocktails add to the mix, making this place a truly unique addition to the nightlife scene in Philadelphia.

Interior shot

Tonight, Trestle Inn celebrates its grand reopening in style, with its Halloween party, Psycho A Go Go. This free event will feature DJ’s, drink specials, and prizes for spooky costumes.

Whether you can make it over there tonight or…

There’s an empty lot on the southwest corner of 13th and Buttonwood Sts. that’s currently on the market. The property measures nearly 30K sqft, and the asking price is $10M. Yikes.

A lot of lot

According to the listing, the current owners applied for and received the necessary zoning variance to construct two residential towers with about 320K sqft of internal space and commercial use on the first floor. There is a rendering included with the listing that looks downright futuristic.

And it's low-res, too!

On its face, this may seem like a somewhat reasonable plan. The lot is surrounded by apartment and condo buildings, some of which are high-end, showing at least a decent residential market in this neighborhood. In addition, just a couple of blocks to the south at 12th and Callowhill Sts., a