1778 Frankford Avenue

I moved into my apartment in December of 2007. I dedicated a few months to getting my place together, painting the walls, adding furniture and making it feel like home. I wasn't taking photographs and wasn't feeling inspired to pick up my camera to change that. I eventually decided to splurge on a new camera and that definitely gave me the boost I needed.

I wandered around Center City and took photographs of various places and things, but I wanted something more. So, I started a project. It was simple.

Follow the demolition of the hideous, abandoned building across the street from my apartment.

Demolition lasted a few weeks, maybe not even that. One weekend morning, my Mom was headed over to pick me up... and my 4 loads of laundry. I got a phone call from her, asking why my street was blocked off, asking if I was okay. I was completely oblivious to what was going on outside.

Rumor has it that one of the workers was using the backhoe and dug too deep. Rumor has it that the worker had a beer in his hand while working. With one mistake, the foundation was compromised and the house that was standing next to the one being demoed, collapsed.

The house on the right was just built. I wonder, what would have happened to the crumbled home had that new house not been there.



September 13, 2008 - Fire officials were on the scene of an apartment that collapsed Saturday afternoon.
The front of the 3-story apartment collapsed at around noon on Frankford Avenue in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia.
Authorities tell Action News, four of the units were occupied and more than half a dozen residents are displaced.
A construction company was demolishing the unoccupied part of the apartment building, however, the occupied section starting crumbling, too.