East Girard Avenue has come a long way in recent years, but it's still a definite work in progress. Sure, new businesses keep joining the fray, like Sancho Pistolas a few months back or Pizzeria Beddia last year. And it's true that older buildings are turning over and getting fixed up, like the former auto supply shop that's looking fabulous now that the paint has been stripped off the facade. But there are still vacant lots, empty storefronts, and various properties on the corridor that could use some TLC. After the work of Prestige Design and Construction at 534-36 E. Girard Ave., East Girard is down one vacant lot and one empty building.
The developer, who we last covered as they were building two new homes near 16th & Carpenter, bought the vacant lot and overgrown building next door on Girard about a year ago. They went before FNA last summer with plans to demolish the building and build a four-story structure over the two lots with five apartments and a commercial space on the first floor. They did not get community support, possibly due to the contemporary look of the building. Despite that, they got their needed variance and the building is now nearly finished.
Nobody would argue that this thing fits into the fabric of the corridor as it's currently constituted, but we're not sure that's such a terrible thing. We actually don't mind the building, though we would have maybe preferred a different stucco color to the blue. Hopefully, the building will soon contain a new business that will add to the vibrancy of the growing corridor, and people won't get too hung up on the look of the building. What would you like to see in this space?