Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Empty Lot of the Year: Gandy Storage Lot

 678 North Broad Street


Photo by Jack O'Brian

 It's been a long time since I wrote about an Empty Lot, so I might as well bring you an old one-- 95 years without a building! Read all about it at Naked Philly!

Monday, September 23, 2019

What is it? University Square Apartments

3901 Market Street




This once-drabby building has gotten a makeover by it's new owners. This one was developed by its own architect! Find out all about it at Naked Philly!

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Old-Ass Building: Northside Lithuanian Republican Alliance of Philadelphia Clubhouse

1218 Wallace Street

Photo by Mr. Fox
This weird-looking building just begs for its story to be told. Check it out at Naked Philly!

Friday, June 14, 2019

Old-Ass Building: Girard Motor Sales Company/Ford Hall

2517-19 West Girard Avenue

Photo by Mr. Fox

I've always liked this little building and so should you! Read all about it and check out the link to my June 20th Brewerytown Tour at Naked Philly!

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Old-Ass Building: Bricker Residence

2739 West Girard Avenue

Photo by Mr. Fox
 This great old building on Girard Avenue has always been a favorite of mine and the rear section calls back to some of this corridor's earliest construction. Read all about it at Naked Philly!

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Old-Ass Building: Bauer Residence

2826 West Girard Avenue

Photo by Mr. Fox
I've always been fascinated with this Brewerytown building, and since I'll be doing a new tour there, I thought that it's about time you all noticed it too. Read all about it at Naked Philly!

Monday, February 25, 2019

Old-Ass Building: Inolex Complex

16 Snyder Avenue

Photo by Mr. Fox

Have you ever wondered about the huge mishmash of machinery serving some kind of purpose by the unnamed shopping district along the southern part of the Delaware Riverfront? So have I! Find out all about it at Naked Philly!

Friday, November 30, 2018

Lost Neighborhood: The Village

22nd and Homestead Streets

Photo by Mr. Fox
I'm always fascinated by small groups of rowhouses isolated far from other parts of the city. Here's the story about yet another one, The Village, also known as Gooseshit Hill (not a joke)!! Read all about it at Naked Philly!

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Old-Ass Building: Ellis Riding Academy Annex

1423 Manning Street

Photo by Mr. Fox

You've probably never noticed this building, but if you look closely, there's a hell of a lot beneath the surface to talk about. Find out all about it at Naked Philly!

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

What Is It? University City Townhomes

3900 Market Street




How did a residential development of 70 homes end up on our primary commercial corridor? Find out all about it at Naked Philly!

Monday, September 17, 2018

Butt-Fugly Building: 11th Street Wendy's

1101 Walnut Street



This little shitbird of a Wendy's holds down a lot that's zoned for a skyscraper. How the hell did this thing get there? Find out at Naked Philly!

Friday, September 7, 2018

Lost Building: Wistar Quadrinities

113 Rear South Street Unit A and B



Two 18th Century homes are being demolished right now due to some fire damage. Never historically registered, in Society Hill but not in their historic district, completely ignored and forgotten for well over 200 years... until now! Read all about them at Naked Philly!

Friday, August 24, 2018

Old-Ass Building: Garfield Duncan Building

700 Spruce Street


Photo by Mr. Fox
With all the talk about facadectomies lately, the biggest one ever barely got a mention. Read all about it on Naked Philly!

Monday, August 13, 2018

OId-Ass Building: Apartments @ 1220

1220 North Broad Street

Photo by Mr. Fox
This North Broad tower gets no respect-- read all about it at the Naked Philly Blog

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Butt-Fugly Building: Liberty Shopping Plaza

5th and Spring Garden

Photo by Mr. Fox 
 Did you ever wonder about this weird not-strip-mall taking up perfectly good space on Spring Garden Street? So did I-- read all about it at the Naked Philly Blog!

Friday, June 22, 2018

Forgotten Neighborhood: Wrightsville

28th Street & Passyunk Avenue

Photo by Mr. Fox

I bet you've never even heard of Wrightsville, but you've probably driven by a bunch of times. This little community has an interesting history. Read all about it at Naked Philly!

Friday, June 1, 2018

Old-Ass Building: Johnny Brenda's

1201 Frankford Avenue


Photo by Jessica Allard
                   Oh, did you think I was done? There's still lots of building histories for me to write about and this is one I've gotten about 5 million requests for but never did-- Johnny Brenda's, the great catalyst of the Fishtown resurgence. Check it out at Naked Philly

I'll also be conducting a series of FREE tours of Frankford Avenue and Front Street in Fishtown talking about the past, present, and future of almost everything along the way. Sign up for the first one on June 14th HERE.   





Monday, April 23, 2018

Old-Ass Building: Standard Hall

622-24 South 4th Street



Photo by Michael Bixler
   This old market hall is still hanging on after over a century. Check it out at the Hidden City Daily!


Monday, April 9, 2018

Old-Ass Building: Harris Building

2121 Market Street


Photo by Michael Bixler
Now pretty much only known as the Trader Joe's Building, this old bastard has managed to endure a lot of change all around it. Read all about it at the Hidden City Daily!

Monday, March 26, 2018

Old-Ass Building: Pottash Building

428-30 South 13th

Photo by Michal Bixler
 A lot of people have asked me about this building over the years, and now you'll get to know where it came from and who gave it that goofy facade. Read all about it at the Hidden City Daily!