Weeks ago, we wondered whether a former factory at 8th & Jefferson could represent an opportunity for future redevelopment. Though the site is only a half a dozen blocks away from Temple University, and just a couple of blocks south of the still-under-construction Paseo Verde project, it still has significant limitations in terms of its development potential. For one, it’s right next to elevated Septa tracks. Additionally, hundreds of PHA homes are located immediately to the east of the property. Still, redevelopment could certainly come to this location at some point in the future.

The old factory

Around the corner from this blighted building, we recently spotted a much smaller scale project in the works which could be a sign of things to come. In the last several months, 746 W. Master St. was demolished. Don’t mourn…

Last week, we checked in on several ongoing new construction projects in the Brewerytown neighborhood. Some of these houses were replacing vacant land, while in other cases blighted homes were demolished to make room for the new construction. In either case, these projects represent important progress for an area that still has a stunning number of vacant properties.

Two new homes on 31st Street

But it seems that Steph-Sin, the developers for the homes pictured above at 31st & Baltz, are not just in the new construction business. Just around the corner from these homes, this developer is in the middle of a renovation job on the 3000 block of W. Stiles Street, a block with a ton of vacant homes.

In the past

Current view

According to…

On the recommendation of a reader, we made our way to Brewerytown the other day to check in on some ongoing residential projects that we’ve covered in the past few months. First we stopped at 31st & Baltz, where last month two foundations sat, waiting for new houses to be built by developer Steph-Sin. In the weeks since, the homes have been framed, and facades have gone up as well. Pretty good progress, if you ask us.

Middle of March

Plugging away

Around the corner, on the 3000 block of Girard, three properties owned by ML Builders LLC were vacant lots a month ago. Now, foundations have arrived for all three, and the two easternmost parcels are being framed out. Still no framing for the last lot, but we’d guess it’s next on the list. These…

Back in October, we first told you about plans to construct four quadplexes on the northwest corner of 16th & Poplar, ostensibly for student housing. In the past few months, foundations have been poured and framing looks to be nearing completion. Looking at the site today, you get a pretty good sense of what the buildings will ultimately look like.

Framed out

Closer look

On the plus side, we were pleased to see four vacant lots, some of which were previously owned by PHA, redeveloped by a private developer. Our only minor complaint was that the design of the project in conjunction with the number of apartments would mean small, oddly shaped units that would be extremely conducive to student tenants. By that we mean the units would likely never be attractive to individuals looking to stay in…

Philadelphia used to be a home to a thriving industrial economy. Many factories that once buzzed with the work of daily life in Kensington, Old City, or the loft district are now apartments, transformed by developers with an eye toward the city’s history.

A building that has yet to be transformed by developers is located at 1422-30 N. 8th St., with a footprint that covers half a city block. Once home to the Feitelson M & Sons company, the building is across the street from the Wakisha Charter School, a fact that was quickly brought to our attention by shouting kids leaving school when we were in the area. The building is also next to elevated regional rail tracks, just a few blocks south of the Temple University station.

View under the tracks

From 8th

…

Though the Spring Garden neighborhood has experienced tremendous improvement in the past two decades, a handful of blighted properties remain. Take, for instance, 1516 Green St., a property right near the Chapel Lofts, which surprised us when we passed by on an unseasonably warm afternoon this past weekend.

The building

From what we understand, AHA Development LLC purchased the former Philadelphia Housing Authority shell about a year ago at auction. The price was very high at $423,500. The developers had plans to demolish the rear of the building, and replace it with a three story addition, but this was not approved by the Historical Commission. Six apartments was the hope for this building, but the project seems stalled at the moment.

Looking down the block. Note the Chapel Lofts.

The Spring Garden Historic District is bordered by Spring Garden Street to…