In late 2011, we reported the West Philly-based real estate developers, the Orens Brothers, plan to revitalize the infamous Croydon Building into a seemingly-affordable 127-unit apartment complex. Work on the extensive project is now underway.

The air surrounding the looming 25,875 square-foot structure on 49th Street between Locust and Spruce Streets was heavy with raucous construction clatter when we visited the location Thursday afternoon. According to one worker on site, renovations of the Croydon began four months ago and should last two years, with the two wings hopefully completed by the fall. Representatives from the Orens Brothers could not be reached for comment.

The Orens Brothers bought the Croydon Building in 2011 for $1.75 million, with renovations budgeted at about $10 million. The once homogenous development, built in the early 20^th century, became known by squatters as “Paradise City” after it was abandoned in the late 1990s. It was also the site of 2007 murder that resulted from a fight between two squatters. The building had been a focus of community concern for many years.

– Annamarya Scaccia

Here are a couple of shots from the neighborhood featuring volunteers cleaning up Cedar Park and wonderful spring blossoms.

A turkey has been trotting around the neighborhood south of Baltimore from 45th to 49th streets the last few mornings. Several folks have spotted the bird. A neighbor, Claire, snapped the photos below this morning at about 7:30 a.m.

Be careful out there, little buddy!

Photos by Claire King.

This photo of a turkey strolling down 50th street near Springfield is courtesy of @Kayasinfo on Twitter.

Randi Fair, a West Philly resident  and photojournalism student at Temple University, has recently completed an interesting project for one of her classes and wanted to share the results. The assignment was to find old photographs of Philadelphia and to re-photograph the same location, at least 60 years later. Randi focused  West Philly and we think it came out pretty cool. While working on this project, Randi discovered that  some things haven’t changed at all in these years. Check out some of the images below. To see more photos, including Randi’s commentary, go here.

Corner of 43rd and Baltimore.

The other corner of 43rd and Baltimore.

The entrance to Clark Park.

The Charles Dickens statue in Clark Park.

Corner of 47th and Baltimore.

The entrance to Malcolm X Park, then called Black Oak park.

There were about 40 people in line outside of the liquor store at 49th and Baltimore at around 6 p.m. The store closes at 9 p.m. All PA Wine & Spirits stores will be closed tomorrow.