The old West Philadelphia High School at 4700 Walnut St. represents a serious development opportunity in West Philly in the same area as a few other interesting projects. It was put on the market this winter via an RFQ with a $6.5M price tag (through Concordis Real Estate Advisors) by the Philadelphia School district as part of its Master Facilities Plan, which seeks to determine and improve the efficiency of its schools. Obviously, they have a long way to go.

Huge building

At 47th St.

The area surrounding the former school has immediate potential. Right across the street on 48th Street sits a vacant lot where fire raged over a year ago. Plans for the redevelopment of the Croydon at 49th and Locust Sts., once known as Paradise City to squatters, have been approved. The ZBA…

It’s been a while since there has been any news about the vacant Provident Life Mutual Insurance Company building, located at 4601 Market St. Its cupola hangs in the West Philly sky like an imperial spire. The structure looks something like the Capitol building in Washington, but with a smaller square central tower.

View of the building from the east

Closer look at the tower

It’s been on the city’s planning board in the past as a potential home for a new police headquarters. A string of financial hurdles stand in the way of that project getting legs, a 2008 Inquirer article reported. It’s on the wish list, the article says.

“The city is still exploring their options,” said Mandy Davis of the Philadelphia Industrial Corporation (PIDC). “They are trying to work out…