The 1100 block of Shackamaxon Street in Fishtown has undergone some serious changes in the last ten years. On its southern end and pretty much next to I-95 sits the Old World Warehouse, a loft apartment conversion. In the last couple of years, several $400K homes have gone up across the street and closer to Girard. And most recently, a mixed-use building at the corner of Girard was constructed, with signs for Palm Tree Market appearing in the last couple of weeks.

Row of new homes

Market coming soon

Now, developers for 1112 Shackamaxon St., a three-story with building that apparently was once home to a restaurant, have appeared before the Fishtown Neighbors Association and received support to legalize and renovate this building for three apartments. According to this thread on Fishtown.us, developers have appeared two times previously for this property, getting approval in 2007 but never executing their plan. Earlier this year, new owners came forward, purchasing the property as an REO- seems the previous owners lost the property to the bank somewhere along the line.

The property, with the lofts in the distance

Like many in Fishtown, this block is a conglomeration of old style row homes, newer housing, and industrial holdovers. One interesting aspect of the property in question, probably related to some past industrial use, is that it extends back over 150′. We honestly can’t imagine what the property owners will do with such a huge backyard, aside from extending the building further back than it currently goes. Even so, the yard will be gigantic.

The building is close to some current and future beauty. The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s Columbia Avenue Connector streetscape project will beautify the sidewalks approaching the waterfront in the near future. Penn Treaty Park, which is also slated for improvements, is only a few blocks away. Unfortunately, I-95 construction will probably be taking place nearby for at least the next year as well. But ah well, temporary inconvenience will beget easier transportation in the future.

A hundred yards away

–Lou Mancinelli