Im new to the area and am thinking about buying one of those townhomes/condos for sale in brewerytown. What are peoples thoughts on this new development?

are you buying it to live in or to rent out?

live in.

I say go for it. I live near the north star bar, on the 2700 block of cambridge, which is between girard and poplar. My wife and I love our neighborhood, and I think the development that you are thinking about is a good investment and great place to live. It may seem sparse with respect to commercial retail, but give this neighborhood a few years, and you will see more shops, possibly a supermarket, and more on Girard Avenue. You are next door to fairmount park, which is an excellent resource, and only five minutes away from I76. The adjacent neighborhood to the east is surprisingly nicer than you might think. I have walked my dog around there many times, and found it to range from quiet but dilapidated to quaint and neighborly. It really depends on the block. I would recommend staying street smart (that would apply to any neighborhood in Philadelphia, poor or affluent), and I think you will be fine.

The only drawback I find of the development itself, is its suburban-esque look. Granted, it has all the looks of the city (townhomes, shutters, vertical, narrow spaces), but it looks so damn new and generic, like it could pop up in Philly, Charlotte, or Houston. It needs to be more Philly. Perhaps when that entire area gets developed, it will look better.

stantheman, if you are at all interested you should strongly consider going to the brewerytown cdc meeting this thursday. i will be there. generally the meetings are focused around the deveolopements and the future of the area. its a really good way to get to know the area and the people in it.

Brewerytown CDC Community Advisory Committee Meeting
October 20, 2005 6:30 @ 1261 N. 30th St.
Contact Brewerytown CDC for more information 215.769.5220

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I also say go for it. Krewstown's right, once you have a critical mass of new residents (which will happen), you'll see the retail options expand. It's a great neighborhood that'll only get better w/ time. And living next to the park is pretty awesome. This is also some of the least expensive new housing in the city.

I'm not a big fan of all the siding on the homes, but whatevs, brick is just for show and it ups the construction cost.

wysong is right. It is nice living next to the park. In fact I don't think I would do well in any part of the city that did not offer easy access to the park. economically speaking they are a great deal for the money... the houses are only going to get more and more expensive.

merkin- your CDC meeting has a october date on it... is there really one tonight?

sorry my bad even though th eastern lofts website says that there is a meeting tonight the meetings for the brewerytown cdc are every second thursday of every month. so the next meeting will be thursday dec. 8th.

sorry for the mix-up

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A major east coast CSX shipping rail line curves right next to the new construction. When the train takes the curve it is loud and shrill and they often blow their horns at all hours of the day and night. but you do get used to it I guess, actually when they finish all the construction should serve as a sound barrier between the rails and my house. Also there is a huge sub station a block down on 32nd street, that really hums in the summer time. Full disclosure, I wish the old black stables that fell under the jack boot of gentrification were still around instead of the creepy cookie cutter "stacked" townhomes, plus I watched those things being built, very quickly, also I know what kind of factories used to be on the land now zoned residential so overall I have a very poor opinion of the whole "Re-established Brewerytown Square" development.

Stantheman-
I guess the point here is do your own homework and don't look to people on a internet bulletin board to be your only source of info. As I'm sure you are aware there are 2 sides to this issue- the people who are for the new development in a area that hasn't seen development in 50 years... and those against it who feel that it doesn't help the neighborhood. Google brewerytown and find the philly weekly article that better explains both sides.

Good luck