Big things are coming to L'ville (Butler, Lawrenceville: fit in, townhouses, neighborhood)

[Blackbeauty212]

This news should be ever more welcomed amongst the Urban Connoisseur of L'ville since its always been their main problem with urban fabric of the Nabe...

Let's just call it project INFILL

Lawrenceville infill developments closing gaps in the neighborhood; Franktuary coming to Butler

The Croghan's Edge development in Lawrenceville broke ground less than one year ago on Penn Avenue.* Six months later, a vacant lot had been transformed into a stylish new townhouse, and its first tenants moved in.* Now, all four townhouses have been built and sold, and the final owners have just moved in.*

The project is just one of several infill developments in Lawrenceville that are helping to close the remaining the gaps in this neighborhood's urban fabric.

Lawrenceville infill developments closing gaps in the neighborhood; Franktuary coming to Butler

[airwave09]

It's really great to see new development finally close in on the "black hole" of Butler Street.

That whole 3 block area around the Arsenal middle school is a total travesty, and ruins a street that has the potential to rival the continuity and vitality of East Carson St.

When driving through that section, I think that I'm suddenly driving down 51 through Banksville.

[BrianTH]

Definitely great to see so much infill in Lawrenceville--and more proof as yet we are nowhere near meeting the potential demand for new housing in such locations.

[Blackbeauty212]

That's true L'ville has plenty of space to work with.....

[eschaton]

As a resident of Lawrenceville, here's my feeling on the new major projects:

Shannopin's Village: It's looking quite nice. One minor issue I have with the building is it's one story smaller than the surrounding buildings. I think they could have built it up to three quite easily. For the life of me, I can't figure out where the next building will go on the plot though. I presume they can't block off the Sprout Fund Mural, meaning it would have to be recessed from the street, on that new alley they're building.

Doughboy Townhouses: One of my bus friends who is an architect was complaining about these before they even broke ground, saying residential is wrong for Butler. Initially, I disagreed, but they took a bad turn at the end. In an attempt to make them all more "individual" (as they were identical besides paint) they put a different light fixture on each unit, several of which are hanging eyesores which don't fit with the building style. Worse, now that all but one unit has been sold, people are putting up blinds. This is understandable, but two houses put up heavy wooden interior shutters. It's amazing how just this little thing makes the development seem less street-friendly and closed off.

Croghan's Edge: I hate it. It's prefab buildings that look like a lego battleship. Does not fit the character of the neighborhood. That said, the segment of Penn between Doughboy Square and 40th has essentially become residential, and a mashup of recent development styles, so it doesn't bother me that much.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by eschaton

As a resident of Lawrenceville, here's my feeling on the new major projects:

Shannopin's Village: It's looking quite nice. One minor issue I have with the building is it's one story smaller than the surrounding buildings. I think they could have built it up to three quite easily. For the life of me, I can't figure out where the next building will go on the plot though. I presume they can't block off the Sprout Fund Mural, meaning it would have to be recessed from the street, on that new alley they're building.

Doughboy Townhouses: One of my bus friends who is an architect was complaining about these before they even broke ground, saying residential is wrong for Butler. Initially, I disagreed, but they took a bad turn at the end. In an attempt to make them all more "individual" (as they were identical besides paint) they put a different light fixture on each unit, several of which are hanging eyesores which don't fit with the building style. Worse, now that all but one unit has been sold, people are putting up blinds. This is understandable, but two houses put up heavy wooden interior shutters. It's amazing how just this little thing makes the development seem less street-friendly and closed off.

Croghan's Edge: I hate it. It's prefab buildings that look like a lego battleship. Does not fit the character of the neighborhood. That said, the segment of Penn between Doughboy Square and 40th has essentially become residential, and a mashup of recent development styles, so it doesn't bother me that much.

Where is Croghan's Edge? I live in Lawrenceville but further down not too far away from Shop n' Save so that might be why I'm drawing a blank to it. I always see the other two developments however. Have you seen that house that was built on 38th Street? I think that is the ugliest and most out of place thing that could be possibly built in Lawrenceville. That house should have never been approved to be built.

[BrianTH]

I actually quite like Croghan's Edge--I think it can pay not to try too hard to fit in with the historic buildings:

Croghan's Edge

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Where is Croghan's Edge?

37th and Penn, in the triangle formed with Peoria Way.

[Evergrey]

I love all three developments.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

37th and Penn, in the triangle formed with Peoria Way.

Now that I saw the picture, I know what it was. The part of Lawrenceville from Penn at Butler to Penn at 40th is one part of it I rarely see because I don't need to drive there and there isn't anything of interest there for me.