Several readers have asked us about the ongoing construction at 665 N Broad St., where a large steel strucure has replaced several low rise buildings that were torn down several months ago.

In the past

For years, the Laborers District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and Vicinity has called this location home. And now, after years of planning, they are in the process of constructing a new home base for their organization. Architects Elias Organization has designed a five-story, LEED certified structure that’s currently being built by P. Agnes. Construction should be finished by the end of the year.

The skeleton

Looking south down Broad St.

This building sits in between the better than you’d expect Alessandro’s Pizza and the rapidly downsizing Ridge Avenue Shelter. Within a few blocks, however, are numerous new and exciting projects that we’ve covered in recent months, like the new apartments and restaurants at 600 N Broad St., the ongoing construction at the former State Building, the preservation efforts at the Legendary Blue Horizon, and the upcoming relocation of the PA Ballet. And let’s not forget the possible rehabilitation of the stately elephant in the room, the Divine Lorraine.

Without these exciting changes on North Broad Street, who can say whether the Laborers’ District Council would choose this time to undertake this new project? Though this building will ultimately house private offices, this new construction is just another sign of the times on North Broad- times that seem to be continually getting better.

Though the past wasn’t so bad, either…

Back in 1926. Looks like the buildings underneath the facade were pretty handsome, in their day...