BUILDINGS - CLOSE UP Video Interviews

five story condo goes up to the north sandwiching Chestnut Hill Baptist Church between a multi-story condo to the south

Condos block historic church’s sunlight

Faced with condo developments rising high and very close the senior pastor of the 200 year-old Chestnut Hill Baptist Church turns to inviting in the new neighbors and welcoming contributions from the developers for very necessary repairs.

February 17, 2026

BUILDINGS BUSINESS CHESTNUT HILL

We tour run-down train stations before makeovers

Developer Ken Weinstein hosted open houses of five dilapidated train stations along the SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) regional Chestnut Hill rail lines in Philadelphia. Through his company, Philly Office Retail, he has undertaken to renovate them. “Bring your ideas. All are welcome!” a flyer announces. The buildings once housed ticket offices but are now vacant and have fallen into substantial disrepair.

February 11, 2026

BUILDINGS THEATER

Lantern Theater gets ready to renovate Mt Airy church sanctuary

The Lantern Theater Company gets ready to renovate its new location in Mt. Airy. The Lantern, a well-known professional theater troupe based at St Stephen’s Church in downtown Philadelphia, is…

May 14, 2025

BUILDINGS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

We work away in the lovely Czech Republic

Your correspondent and his spouse spent about 2-1/2 weeks in the Czech Republic mostly doing a longer and a shorter “workaways” (work for room and board). And obligatory sightseeing!

July 18, 2024

ART BUILDINGS

Artist builds a cob house

Artist Cara Gravers gives workshops on how to build a cob house, a type of natural house made from clay, sand and straw.

March 13, 2024

BUILDINGS CURRENT AFFAIRS HISTORY

Demolished! Hundred year old stone building. Coming soon: townhouses

Experienced operating engineer demolishes historic but not historically registered stone building as part of controversial plan to replace it with 8 four story townhouses in Chestnut Hill neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia

June 28, 2022

BOOKS BUILDINGS HISTORY

Anecdotes brighten tour of Rosebach rare book Museum and Library

Guide Charlie Karl gives anecdote filled tour of the Rosenbach rare book Museum and LIbrary on Delancey Place in downtown Philadelphia.

June 20, 2022

BUILDINGS CHESTNUT HILL CONSTRUCTION

New construction will shadow historic Chestnut Hill Baptist Church cemetery

A neighbor reflects on the historic Chestnut Hill Baptist Church cemetery, an open space for the neighborhood, which is about to be overshadowed by 5 story condominium complex.

January 18, 2022