In Rittenhouse

Rittenhouse Square has its share of residential high-rises.  But at the start of the 20th Century, the corner occupied by 1530-1532 Spruce St. was one of the few. According to the ‪United States Office of Education’s Annual Report from 1875, the building on the southeast corner of 16th & Spruce was occupied by the Ingleside

Remember yesterday, when it rained so much you were thinking that perhaps building an ark would be prudent? As it turns out, the rainfall over the past couple of days represented one of the worst rainstorms in our city's history. Last night, a section of I-76 was closed down, and

Several months ago, we weren't so sad to share the news that Qdoba was closed on the corner of 19th & Chestnut. We were, in fact, pleased to tell you that Pearl Properties was planning to build a large mixed-use project on this corner, combining multiple properties into a big one just

Over two years ago, we first broke the news that a mixed-use building would be replacing the long-vacant and blighted YWCA Annex building on the 2000 block of Chestnut Street. Back in January, we told you that demolition efforts were finally underway. And last week, an official groundbreaking took place

17th & Chestnut is among the city’s more bustling intersections.  Every retail operation that has come to occupy its southwest corner has enjoyed the early fruits of this bustling.  The location did begin its recorded history as a private residence however.  As shown in the image taken from G.M. Hopkins’ 1875 Philadelphia Atlas, 1700 Chestnut

Several months ago, we brought some demolition to your attention at the corner of 20th & Waverly. Back then, a three story building with vinyl siding was biting the dust. Eventually, the garage next door would succumb as well.In the pastNow, a new double-wide home is rising in the place

The area where South and Broad Streets meet is in the midst of a major facelift, anchored by the notable insertion of the Southstar Lofts.  By contrast, the structure on the northwest corner of South and Broad, listed as 512 S. Broad St., still looks very much like Broad Street of

In our mind's eye, 1821 Chestnut St. is still a furniture store. It was indeed a furniture store for several years, right? More recently though, it contained a discount store called Dollar Plus that also sold cell phones. Somehow, this business was able to survive here for a few years.

Strolling along Walnut Street yesterday, enjoying the spring-like weather, we stopped short when we caught sight of Avance. The restaurant, helmed by Justin Bogle, opened in December at 1523 Walnut St., which was for many years the home of Le Bec Fin. And as they freshened up the interior for

According to The Philly History Blog, William Bucknell founded the Chester Gas Company in 1856, just ahead of the Industrial Revolution.  His investment would make him part of a new class of wealthy industrialists inhabiting Philadelphia and clustering around Rittenhouse Square.  By the 1860s, Bucknell would parlay his wealth into a massive residence