A reader recently gave us the heads up that some significant construction activity was taking place at 1100 Spring Garden St., on the same block as the still-standing Church of the Assumption. Because it’s what we do, we made our way over there to check it out. And they weren’t kidding, there’s some serious construction going on at a building that was previously a flooring and cabinet warehouse.

In the past

Three new stories

According to the handy dandy L&I Map, permits were pulled to add three stories to the existing building for apartments, and to use the first floor for some unknown commercial use. Harman Deutch did the design work, helping to bring significantly more utility to a formerly unattractive and dull building.

Closer look

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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…

Soundgarden Hall is a new music and entertainment venue now operating on the waterfront at Spring Garden Streets and Columbus Boulevard, near Festival Pier.

Members of the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association (NLNA) voted recently to support a proposal for a two-year request for a special assembly license for this music venue for 900 underage music lovers and 500 adults with a BYOB option, making for a total capacity of 1400 at 520 N. Columbus Ave., with provisions. Its restaurant and entertainment zoning was pre-existing, thanks to Club Egypt, which occupied this space for years.

Soundgarden Hall

Those provisions included the likely collection of issues associated with the opening of a large venue: noise, parking, crowds, and security. NLNA requested owners document management and security measures. In two years, owners will have to reappear before the NLNA (and Old City Civic, probably) when the…

With the success of Union Transfer, at 10th & Spring Garden, and the apparent popularity of the recently rising “Spring Arts” neighborhood, we’re wondering if developers will be attracted to a building that currently contains a Nationwide Auto Body, now for sale at 1221 Mt.Vernon St.

On Mount Vernon

On 13th St.

It’s available for $1.8M through Rust Real Estate, one group spearheading development efforts in the neighborhood. A former train shed, the 14K sqft building features ceilings as high as a church in some places, and large arched windows. The roof to its main brick entrance is tiered like steps walking towards each other from opposite directions. For a developer with the resources, the structure represents an opportunity for an interesting repurposing of an old building, or the potential for new development. Nationwide Autobody has operated…

With low interest rates and strong sales numbers, some developers think right now the market is ripe with building opportunity. Like, Lawrence Rust, of Rust Real Estate, who’s been pushing for the Spring Arts nomenclature to catch for his area like he patented the phrase.

Rust recently started construction on three more single homes in his 21-unit Phase II development of Spring Arts Point, the project we last told you about in April. Framing is completed, and masonry work is set to begin soon at 924-928 Mt. Vernon St.

Framed out

“It seems to me we’ve kind of gotten past the economic shock,” said Rust about the downswing of 08.

Phase I of this project sold out by 2008. Two of the first three homes, 920-22 Mt. Vernon, constructed in Phase II have settled,…

It’s likely you’ve never seen this building in person. 1021 Ridge Ave. sits almost on top of the Reading Viaduct, surrounded by other Eraserhood-type buildings. Last week, owners PA Ridge Associates went before the ZBA to get a permit for 28 residential units in this rather large, 54K sqft building.

The building

Closer look

We’re guessing that the residential conversion took place a few years back, and that this is merely an effort to legalize the existing apartments. In addition, there appear to be commercial spaces on the first floor, but none appear to be filled at this time.

Looking at the GW Bromley Philadelphia Atlas from 1910, the building apparently contained a furniture manufacturer at some point. The Industrial Directory of Pennsylvania, Volume 3, identifies Prouty Co., L.A. Inc as…