When we last checked in on the 35-unit development at 19th & Poplar, the second phase of homes were being framed out, and a large cigarette ad was being used as sheathing. We were in the area the other day and the cigarette ad is gone and construction on the site appears to be nearly finished. Check out some pix:

Northern view in the past

Current shot

Closer look at the homes, looking north now

Southern view of the project

One aspect of the development that seems to have changed from the original concept is on its southern end. We were under the impression that there would be a commercial space here, at the corner of 19th & Vineyard, but we have to say that it looks more like the entrance to an apartment than a welcoming place for a business. We’re not ruling out the possibility that a restaurant could still open here, but if we were looking to lease the space we’d have preferred the original design, seen below.

Looks a little different without the stairs

Looking at the eastern side of the development, you can see where all the residents keep their vehicles. While there isn’t 1:1 parking here, there’s definitely room for a goodly number of cars.

Looking up Vineyard Street

Peeking in the parking area

In all, this development is a big win for Francisville, replacing old, blighted, vacant buildings with a large collection of new apartments. We’ve covered development surrounding 19th & Poplar ad nauseum it seems, and it’s fair to wonder whether the other projects spurred this one, whether this spurred some other projects, or whether they would have all naturally occurred in a vacuum. With the (near) completion of this project, we now turn our eyes southward to another triangle-shaped lot which is ripe for development. C’mon Hankin Group, let’s get movin’!