North Philadelphia: I Know You Got Soul

summersm343 · #1 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 3:07 AM**

The most astonishing thing walking through North Philadelphia is not the ruined buildings and bombed out shelters... but the rows and blocks of buildings and homes still intact. You appreciate the architecture so much more.

The Entire North Broad Street Corridor from Center City to Temple is a huge "Up and Coming" area of the city

This Building will soon be redeveloped...finally!!

Hope you enjoyed my threads! I'll delve deeper into the neighborhoods that surround the North Broad Street Corridor at a later date. Look forward to future threads!

STLgasm · #2 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 3:22 AM**

This thread changed my life.

summersm343 · #3 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 3:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by STLgasm

This thread changed my life.

So glad I could do that for you

Greavsie · #4 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 7:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by STLgasm

This thread changed my life.

why? no offence to the photographer but they are mundane pictures of a mediocre rundown area.I pity the poor children that have to be brought up in such neighbourhoods.

JivecitySTL · #5 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 1:33 PM**

This is one of the coolest threads I've ever seen. The pictures capture real life in one of America's great cities. Very well done!

Swinefeld · #6 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 2:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greavsie

why? no offence to the photographer but they are mundane pictures of a mediocre rundown area.I pity the poor children that have to be brought up in such neighbourhoods.

I see a neighborhood in transition. Rundown, yes, but definitely on the upswing. North Philly will be completely transformed into a vibrant section of Philadelphia after decades of degradation.

Kingofthehill · #7 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 2:57 PM**

Nice tour of Lower North Philly! Continuing the North Philly theme, how about some Broad/Erie next time? The Nicetown/Tioga area has some stunning architecture, even if it is cursed with the same violent hoodrats that have ruined much of the city.

ColDayMan · #8 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 2:58 PM**

Wonderful tour.

Centropolis · #9 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 3:06 PM**

Norfside is Alive!

Lenin · #10 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 5:00 PM**

Thanks for the tour of a very transitional hood. Looks like I need to get my ass to Philly. Nice photographs!

volguus zildrohar · #11 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 10:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greavsie

why? no offence to the photographer but they are mundane pictures of a mediocre rundown area.I pity the poor children that have to be brought up in such neighbourhoods.

The photographer has zeal for the future of the neighborhood. He's looking at what is and considering what it will/could be, to his credit. It's common theme among relatively recent participants in this part of the forum.

In addition, there's actually quite a lot of wonderful buildings in the area albeit in varying states from maintained to decrepit. Such is the nature of places like North Philadelphia.

Ex-Ithacan · #12 Posted **Apr 6, 2012, 10:42 PM**

Heckova tour. I'm rooting for Philly. Not sure where I got the idea, but I thought this rascal had been torn down:

Thanks for the extensive tour.

summersm343 · #13 Posted **Apr 7, 2012, 3:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by volguus zildrohar

The photographer has zeal for the future of the neighborhood. He's looking at what is and considering what it will/could be, to his credit. It's common theme among relatively recent participants in this part of the forum.

In addition, there's actually quite a lot of wonderful buildings in the area albeit in varying states from maintained to decrepit. Such is the nature of places like North Philadelphia.

Thanks

summersm343 · #14 Posted **Apr 7, 2012, 3:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greavsie

why? no offence to the photographer but they are mundane pictures of a mediocre rundown area.I pity the poor children that have to be brought up in such neighbourhoods.

Offense*

1. I'm not a photographer... just like taking pictures for fun and thought I'd share my photos with you fine people on SPF... if you don't like my pictures do yourself a favor and don't comment.

2. I live close to a lot of these areas and am excited to see all the development going on. I know it's not the white collar neighborhood you were looking for but this is a neighborhood of Philadelphia that I think is just absolutely gorgeous in its own right. I think it's a great neighborhood.

3. As you experience when walking through these neighborhoods is there is a STRONG community pride. The adults are happy and the children are out playing enjoying life. Even though they live in these harsh conditions they make the best of it. That's what I love to see and that's what I tried to capture in this thread.

summersm343 · #15 Posted **Apr 7, 2012, 3:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingofthehill

Nice tour of Lower North Philly! Continuing the North Philly theme, how about some Broad/Erie next time? The Nicetown/Tioga area has some stunning architecture, even if it is cursed with the same violent hoodrats that have ruined much of the city.

I can certainly do that for you some day soon

summersm343 · #16 Posted **Apr 7, 2012, 3:14 PM**

Thanks everyone for your compliments! Glad you enjoyed

summersm343 · #17 Posted **Apr 7, 2012, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

Heckova tour. I'm rooting for Philly. Not sure where I got the idea, but I thought this rascal had been torn down:

Thanks for the extensive tour.

It has not been demolished thank god. There are plans to redevelop it in the near future. Could go into bid as early as this year.

Greavsie · #18 Posted **Apr 7, 2012, 7:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Offense*

1. I'm not a photographer... just like taking pictures for fun and thought I'd share my photos with you fine people on SPF... if you don't like my pictures do yourself a favor and don't comment.

2. I live close to a lot of these areas and am excited to see all the development going on. I know it's not the white collar neighborhood you were looking for but this is a neighborhood of Philadelphia that I think is just absolutely gorgeous in its own right. I think it's a great neighborhood.

3. As you experience when walking through these neighborhoods is there is a STRONG community pride. The adults are happy and the children are out playing enjoying life. Even though they live in these harsh conditions they make the best of it. That's what I love to see and that's what I tried to capture in this thread.

no thats how the english word Offence is spelt here in England!Great to hear this area is improving

Arch City · #19 Posted **Apr 9, 2012, 7:54 PM**

It's not surprising to see so many St. Louisans commenting on these photos. I love Philly and have always looked it as St. Louis' "big brother" (so to speak). The two cities share so many commonalities.

With that said......the history of that Devine Lorraine Hotel is interesting reading. Father Devine was a trip. He advocated for interracial relationships (marriages) and reparations for African-Americans. FD thought he was God. The hotel is said to be haunted. And Jim Jones (not the rapper) thought he was the reincarnation of Father Devine. Every building has a story, I guess. These types of stories are enlightening.

Great photos.

What is the building being made into?

summersm343 · #20 Posted **Apr 9, 2012, 8:06 PM**

Thanks! Glad to see so many St. Louisian's love our city. I am actually planning to visit St. Louis shortly. I have a friend who lives in the area who I actually met in Jamaica. Small world.

Anywho... the Divine Lorraine has multiple bids...

1. Eric Blumenfeld (huge developer in the city) wants to build three public schools that share a campus/cafeteria/gymnasium on the empty lot behind it and then turn the Divine Lorraine itself into some-type of learning space on the first few floors then apartments/a few subsidized rentals above.

2. Another currently unnamed developer wants Blumenfeld to build the public schools then convert the first floor or two into a museum and the floors above into apartments.