In January, Michael Loonstyn of MJL Properties (the guy who did the condo conversion of the Calvary Church) went before the ZBA requesting a number of variances for 831-53 N 19th St., just south of the bustling corner of 19th & Poplar. The large development will include, as we read the zoning application, thirty-five residential units and a restaurant space with outdoor seating. We’re estimating roughly 2:3 parking, and it seems that all of the residential units above ground level will have decks of some sort.

We snapped some photos of the site a few months back, and then again just last week. Take a look:

In the past

Looking south

Last month, demolition began.

Most of the buildings are gone

Everything is probably down by now

The new project, which we understand will be built in phases, will include mostly three story buildings with plenty of bay windows. The design for the project was done by YCH Architects, with a slightly more stylized look to the facades than we’ve seen recently from this designer. Check out these renderings:

Looks like the restaurant will be on the northern end of the development

19th St Elevation

Vineyard St. Elevation

Perkiomen St. Elevation

The redevelopment of this triangle represents the next step for this construction-laden corner. We’ve told you already about the duplexes coming to Poplar Street on both sides of 19th, as well as the ten homes under construction nearby on Ginnodo Street. As satisfied as we imagine most of Francisville is with this all this new development, we suspect one party is most excited of all: the owners of the Flying Carpet Cafe, located right in the middle of all the action.

We’ll be sure to provide updates as construction proceeds at this site.