A long wooded vacant and somewhat dismal corner in Fairmount is now all but transformed. When we passed by 23rd & Brandywine last week, the four homes we wrote about earlier this winter were close to being completed. Some final brick or stucco work along Brandywine Street appeared to be the last thing needed in order for the exteriors to be completed.

In the past

Back in February

Recent shot

We first wondered about the lot in the fall of 2011 when we spotted zoning announcements at the site. At that time, we found it curious that such a rough looking patch could have survived in such an established neighborhood for many years. But as you can see, it is vacant no more. After a delay of nearly a year, work started at the end of 2012 and…

It’s always interesting (for us at least) to look at the agendas for the ZBA- this task often points us in the direction of development we’d otherwise never have known about. Take, for example, two projects we learned about over the weekend, within a block of each other, in the “Spring Arts” neighborhood. Both will see vacant lots replaced by duplexes.

In the distance

Closer look

546 N 12th St. was purchased last summer by Thuc Nguyen for $45K. Now, Nguyen has plans to build a duplex on this site, which is pretty much across the street from the Institute and catty corner to some homes that went up last year. Architectural work for the home is being done by Fusa Designs. These guys have done some pretty creative work on homes in Northern Liberties, so…

We’ve mentioned so much development around the intersection of 19th & Poplar, it’s hard to keep track of all the projects taking place or in the pipeline. We were in the area the other day and were reminded of a project we first told you about almost a year ago but had sort of given up on for lack of seeing any progress at the site.

Last year

A year ago, we told you that a developer named Mark Adams would be constructing three duplexes at 1834-38 Poplar St., then a vacant lot. Whelp, the lot ain’t vacant anymore.

Yesterday

As you can see, the duplexes have been framed out. And with several other projects in the immediate area recently finished or nearing completion, the folks who eventually move into these units are going to…

Last winter, we first brought the AA Fence building, located at 924-28 New Market St., to your attention. We wondered about its history, and a couple of commenters helped fill in the blanks. The building dates back to at least the 1850s as a Baptist Church. For about a hundred years starting in the 1870s, the building held a couple of different Jewish congregations, and was known by many in the neighborhood as the Hebrew Church. By the mid-1960s, the iron works/fencing company moved in, and the exterior condition of the building went downhill fast. Now, it’s marked for demolition, with plans to replace it with five single family homes.

In 1959

Recent shot

Members of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association (NLNA) zoning committee have approved plans for these homes, designed by KJO Architecture, according to zoning…

Almost two years ago, we first told you about plans for the Olive Townhomes, four new green homes facing a private courtyard on the 800 block of Carpenter Street. For quite some time, nothing happened at this site, but two months ago we brought you the good news that construction was apparently getting started in the near future.

The site

We were in the area last week, and are pleased to pass along the news that the first two homes have been framed out. We’re guessing the developers are waiting to sell one or both before getting started on the second pair. Still, it’s great to see this project finally moving forward.

From last week

Eventually

Just about anyone who’s walked around Philadelphia for a day would agree that we live in a city of murals. Whether they’re sprucing up blank walls downtown or serving as placeholders until vacant land can be developed, these works of public art make our city more vibrant, more interesting, and more cultured. In addition, the Mural Arts Program has impacted the lives of thousands of kids over the years, working both as an educational institution and as a community service program for juvenile delinquents.

Winter: Crystal Snowscape in Bella Vista

We mostly find ourselves reporting on murals being covered up by new development, like “Autumn,” once located two blocks away from the mural pictured above, or the Noam Chomsky mural now covered on Fairmount Avenue. So it brings us special pleasure to take the opposite approach today and tell…