A couple months back, we told you about a recently started student housing project at 1516-18 N 15th St., replacing a demolished Voodoo Church. The former church, like many properties in the area, was over a hundred years old and built in the Italianate style.

In the past

In February

North Broad Living, a company that owns and manages a couple of other properties in the Temple area, is the developer. According to the zoning application, this project will include thirty-six new apartment units, five parking spaces, and eighteen bicycle parking spaces. Did we mention the place is rather large and looks a little out of place in the neighborhood?

Can't even fit the whole thing in the frame

The very wide front of the building

From the looks of it, this place will look more like the boxy, 1970s-style senior housing down the street than the numerous Italianate homes in the area. Not that we would necessarily want the new construction to try to imitate the existing buildings, but would it be too much to ask for something that’s at least got a little personality?

We’ll have to wait and see what materials the developers choose for the facade before we can pass final judgement. But we’re not feeling so optimistic…