Permits have been issued for the demolition of a three-story prewar rowhouse at 1326 Mifflin Street in Passyunk Square, South Philadelphia. The attached structure is situated on the south side of the block between East Passyunk Avenue and South Juniper Street, about one short block east of Broad Street. The filing enumerates the structure’s footprint at 684 square feet and the interior clocks in at 2,052 square feet. Permits list Jenny Weinar as the owner and Pedro Palmer Construction Inc. as the contractor. Demolition costs are specified at $27,000.
1326 Mifflin Street. Credit: Google Maps
Although Philadelphia YIMBY is an ardent supporter of new development, we have also been known to take issue with demolitions of architecturally and/or historically notable structures, particularly of the prewar variety and whenever the replacement is an inadequate compensation for the building that would be torn down. Thankfully, although the rowhouse at 1326 Mifflin Street does apparently date to the prewar era, in its present condition the building lacks any notable architectural or historic worth.
Over the years, the building, which in its original state had likely boasted a red brick facade and an ornate cornice, had its original exterior replaced with featureless beige stucco, which, to add aesthetic insult to architectural injury, has weathered rather poorly and displays water damage stains beneath its windows. The structure’s contextual scale, form, and relationship to the street and its neighbors save it from being an outright eyesore.
Mifflin Street, with 1326 Mifflin Street on the right. Looking east. Credit: Google Street View
Mifflin Street, with 1326 Mifflin Street on the left. Looking west. Credit: Google Street View
Preservationist purists may still take umbrage with the likely prospect of the building’s replacement with a modern-styled structure, which would be the first of its kind on an otherwise solidly prewar stretch of the street. While the verdict on the benefit, or detriment, of this modern intrusion onto a traditional street will be left up to the reader, we look forward to the potential addition of new housing stock and construction jobs in a pedestrian-friendly, transit-accessible area (the Tasker-Morris and Snyder stations on the Broad Street Line both sit within a five-minute walk) without the sacrifice of any notable or architecturally appealing prewar buildings in the process.
1326 Mifflin Street. Looking north. Credit: Google Maps
1326 Mifflin Street. Looking south. Credit: Google Maps
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Maybe they will tear down the front stuccoed brick both front and rear, then put all new bick work both ends and replace everything with the exception of the wood structure.
That is unless they want to build a FOUR floor house!
what they should do, is to rebuild this building (exterior) in the style of the original and make it fit in with its surroundings.
Is this a partial or full demolition? I’ve seen many rowhomes be partially demolished in south philly to have their facades replaced with new brick that makes the street scape better by adding some brick diversity.
The house is only part of the project. There a very large triangle shaped building attached to it. I would assume that is also being demolished.
I think Joseph is correct. This is part of a larger project, I believe.