A reader checked in the other day, wondering about a recent demolition of a long blighted home on 20th St., just north of Fairmount. Turns out, we told you that this was going to happen to 735 N 20th St. about a month ago.

In the past

Demoed

Back in December, when we pointed out the demolition notice on the property, we told you that condos would be replacing its already demolished neighbor just down the street. At 725 N 20th St., a new foundation has been poured and it looks as though framing has begun.

A few doors down. Note the new building will be set back, like its northern neighbor

20th Street Properties LLC purchased both properties from PHA at the end of 2012, in addition to 713 N. 20th St., another vacant and blighted property at the end of the block. We think they paid a combined price of $290K for the three properties, which may seem a little steep, considering all the demo work that was needed. But we’re guessing they’ll do just fine, in the end.

Their third home is still standing, but probably not for long.

According to the L&I map, two condos with parking in the front are also the plan for the recently demolished and the soon-to-be-demolished homes. Once this happens, there will only be two original homes remaining on this block, with the vast majority being thirty-year-old low-rise homes originally built as affordable housing. All but the remaining two will be set back from the street, with parking in the front, while lone oldies will have no setback. Sure, it’s a jarring look for anyone walking or driving up the block, but we’re at least grateful that two of the original homes on this block remain, to remind us of where we’ve come from and hopefully provide some architectural ideas in the future.