Philly Pack dog-training center moving into former dairy on McKean Street

The historic Abbott’s Alderney Dairy at 1715 McKean St. is undergoing a complete renovation, and the owner has signed a “canine enrichment center” as its ground-floor tenant.

Anna Maria Vona, a realtor who is developing the building with husband Carmen of Carmana Designs, said the Philly Pack Canine Enrichment Center is moving into the 3,000 square foot space on the first floor.

As you may remember, we highlighted the building about a year ago after seeing a listing searching for an “edgy, hipster-style” restaurant to fill the space. Partly because of neighbor opposition, Vona says, a restaurant never materialized. So she decided to search for a tenant who would be able to open in the building’s I2 zoning designation, which supports animal services.

Enter Philly Pack, a Best of Philly dog-training facility that is moving out of it’s shop at 24th and Fitzwater. “They’re like the dog whisperers,” Vona said. “My dog Chase, he used to bark at everybody, he used to bite people … It’s unbelievable.”

Elsewhere in the building, which has been vacant for 30 years, the second floor is a 3,000 square foot apartment that was allowed under the current zoning as a “caretaker’s quarters,” Vona said. The full basement is also available and would make “the perfect rathskeller.”

The building was constructed in 1921 by architect Albert M. Timm, who only desinged dairy buildings, Vona said. The front building held Abbott’s offices and the dairy’s retail operation. The massive rear building, which housed stables for the horse-drawn carriages that delivered milk, now holds Carmana’s fabrication operation (For more on their work, check out a video by Analog Watch Co.’s Hands On project).

Also part of the property is a cobblestone courtyard that once was Colorado Street, which Abbott’s bought from the city in 1942, Vona said. On the other side of the courtyard is 1713 McKean St., where the Lucky Old Souls jazz place was supposed to have opened.

New windows should be installed in the Abbott’s building this month, as well as LED lights to illuminate the front facade. Philly Pack’s website says they hope to open the center in November.

Meanwhile, if you’re on the market for an interesting basement space, or for a cafe next door with 12-foot ceilings, give Vona a call at 215-570-3696 or email her annamariavona@howardhanna.com.