South Philly Developments Round-up
If you’ve been away the past week or so, here are some development stories have missed…
Hawthorne
The vacant lots at 1114 and 1116 Carpenter Street may soon be developed. A rendering installed on a fence at the site shows an image of two, four-story rowhomes with garages. As Naked Philly notes, “the project hasn’t started down the path to permits,” and the garages will require a variance that may not be easily granted.
Passyunk Square
702-706 Latona Street was home to the Whilldin Pottery Co. from the 1870s until the early 1900s. By the 1940s the company had relocated and its site, running from Latona Street through to Wharton Street, was vacant. Part of the site was developed into rowhouses in the 1980s. Plan Philly reports that the remaining portion of the lot may soon be redeveloped. The current site is described as a hidden oasis:
Inside this 13,300 square-foot refuge from the noise and neon of Passyunk Square, bushes flower, willowy grasses sway in the breeze, and enormous golden koi fish swim in a pond.
The new development will will bring 10 hotly-contested “townhomes” to the site:
For developer Maxwell Bassman, the de-facto public green is an opportunity to build more homes in a suddenly very desirable — and profitable— neighborhood. Last week, the developer won approval from the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment for variances needed to move forward with a plan for 10 four-story townhomes with garages and an internal driveway.
Neighbors may appeal the ZBA’s decision.
For history’s sake, here’s an ad for the pottery company that once occupied the site:
And here’s the pottery company’s proposed replacement:
Point Breeze
Over in Point Breeze, changes are underway on the 2100 block of Annin Street. 2114 Annin Street, a suburban-style townhome, was originally built as affordable housing by South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S. in the early 1980s. The home, and its adjacent yard, is slated to be replaced by three new homes. According to the blog, “We understand that this project would be a partnership between the longtime owner of the property and a developer, with the owner getting one of the new homes.”
