A reader gave us the heads up recently about 440 Belgrade St., a new home that was recently constructed on a formerly vacant lot. We swung by the property recently, and we will admit it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen.

From a distance

Closer look

The extra-wide three bedroom home also has two full and two half baths, and was on the market for just under $400K before it went under contract after about two weeks. It’s clear by the short time on the market and the premium price that this home had no problem finding a buyer. That being said, we still have to bring up some of the architectural choices made in the building’s construction.

Another view

We’re not fans of the aesthetic of going with stone for the first…

A reader gave us the heads up that 1308-10 Point Breeze Ave. is currently under construction. This structure, while blighted, is located at a prominent intersection on Point Breeze Avenue and has a remarkably intact cornice for a property that’s missing most of its windows. Most recently, the building was home to a beauty supply store, and the upper floors have probably been vacant for decades.

In the past

In the last couple of weeks, the bump-out on the front of the building was been removed, and new windows and doors have been installed, making way for the office of State Representative Jordan Harris. You may recall, his campaign office was located just a couple of blocks to the north, at 20th & Federal. According to the permits, at least the front of the building will be getting a new…

For years, we’ve wondered about 622 Federal St., a home that doesn’t look like anything else you might find in this neighborhood or any other in Philadelphia, for that matter.

The house

We’re not saying we love the building’s appearance or hate it, but it’s certainly one of the more unique homes we’ve come across. Looking at the first of the home’s two floors, we see a bricked up window, so it stands to reason that the first floor has been in existence for many years. The stuccoed second floor looks like it could have either been original but regrettably renovated at some point or simply an addition, thrown on top of the attractive brick base at some point in the building’s history.

First floor

Upstairs. Democrats seem to live here.

We…

We were in the neighborhood the other day, and the sight of this building, under construction, gave us pause. 1600 Frankford Ave. has been on and off the market for the last couple of years, before finally being purchased by Barksdale Properties LLC earlier this year, for $210K.

The building

Inside, the building has nearly 3,400 sqft of space, and it had most recently been set up for five apartments. According to the most recent listing, the property was in need of a total rehab, and that is exactly what appears to be taking place. Speaking of the listing, it also boasts that the property is within walking distance of “Barcade Sandwich and Sub Shop.” Huh?

On Oxford St.

What was this, originally?

The bones of this building are very cool, and…

Yesterday, we told you about a smallish house being built on the 1700 block of Kater St., on an unusually shaped lot. Turns out, there are a couple of other construction projects just a stone’s throw away.

At 626 S. 18th St., a single family home is replacing a duplex. It’s a shame the building that once stood at this spot was taken down- it had a unique look for the neighborhood. That being said, we imagine it probably wasn’t in such great shape inside.

One up from the corner

Just the other day

The new building is framed out after the lot sat empty for the past several months. The new property has not yet been listed for sale. Soon enough, we suspect.

Meanwhile, on the 1800 block of Kater St., a…