The skinny on the skinny house?

**JakeL** · 12-08-2011, 10:06 AM

Was trolling some real estate listings this morning and came across 1232 25th St for sale. I've never noticed this house before, but its unique layout piqued my interest. The listing has really blurry photos, so to get a good sense, I'd recommend checking out Google Streetview. And here is the listing site.

Source: Google Streetview

What's the width of this house (minus the 'addition')? 10ft? Or is it not as narrow as I'm perceiving it, since a front door doesn't even fit in the front?

Somehow 6 bedrooms fit into that space and manages almost 2,000 sq/ft. It looks like it's seen better days, but could be a neat house worthy of an Apartment Therapy Skinny House post. Also comes with 2 vacant lots next to it, for all you urban farmers.

Anyone have some history on this home? I can't think of another example of a Philadelphia row that appears to have never had a front door.

**jbk** · 12-08-2011, 01:50 PM

Is it narrower than the skinny house on the 500 S block of 27th street?

500 S 27th St Philadelphia - Google Maps

Although this one does have a door on the front.

**CHIOSSO** · 12-08-2011, 03:34 PM

This is a great house. Imagine what it was like 90 years ago.

**Moonraker** · 12-08-2011, 03:39 PM

Based upon the architecture, it was an afterthought for the block. being 6 bedrooms says a lot about the original owner/builder. To even have 4 bedrooms was affluent.
May area homes are 12', but have an shared alley between the non-front steps party wall. ie. 2400 Olive-Meredith. Which brings the first floor interior to 11'
I suspect they always had a side entrance, but then where would the stair be oriented?

**CHIOSSO** · 12-08-2011, 10:11 PM

I was thinking about the stairs and I'm guessing the middle. I'm also thinking that it may have had a larger porch.

**hammersklavier** · 12-09-2011, 11:00 AM

This is interesting.

On a c. 1948 NETR aerial photo, the properties to its south (the ones now occupied by some subsidized housing) show as a large pair of twins with deep front yards. The 1943 WPA map shows the corner house (2500 N. College) was subdivided into three apartments, while its partner (2502 N. College) was still a single-family dwelling. The lot behind these houses (1230 N. 25th) is clearly marked vacant, and the 1230 property is also clearly vacant in the 1910 and 1895 Bromley atlases, while the two properties (1230 and 1232 N. 25th) show as being united in the 1875 Hopkins atlas...

I think the lot was subdivided at some point between 1875 and 1895, but 1230 N. 25th was never built on. I'll also guess that it was originally the butler's house for the large property on the corner (long since demolished).

**JakeL** · 12-09-2011, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

I'll also guess that it was originally the butler's house for the large property on the corner (long since demolished).

If that is the case, that makes a lot of sense. Hence the south-facing nature of the building, allowing for a quick route and an eye on the owner's home. Also, I suspect that those larger homes served the staff at Girard College, as the only northern entrance to Girard College is located across the street.

Also, with the families vacating the 2500 N College and 2502 N College properties, it makes sense that butler's home would be vacant in the following years. (1910 and 1895). I suspect that as Brewerytown began building up in the late 1800s, with factories located right nearby on 26th St, the homes were no longer desirable as they were when Girard College opened up in the countryside in 1848.

Now the real challenge... can we correlate the 2500 and 2502 properties with Girard College? And are there any illustrations of what these homes looked like?

**JH1234** · 06-18-2012, 05:55 PM

For the curious, the lots connected to this house were chopped down and cleared out by L&I about two weeks ago. They sealed up the doors with plywood and posted one of those metal signs.

I wish it would go back on the market and get sold to someone would fix it up. Sure is a sweet house, could make for a really unique layout if renovated.

**love to travel** · 06-19-2012, 07:46 AM

I was in that house . A friend was looking to buy it only 16K .When you go in the front door to the right is the livingroom ,to the left dining and kitchen . There is another kitchen on the second floor to the left in the back . Winding stairs go up the center of the house .Two baths I think . It was a mess clothes and trash everywhere . Boy i bet it was beautiful in it day

**JH1234** · 10-18-2012, 11:33 AM

Sorry to say, but it looks like a developer is planning to tear the old girl down and build on that wide lot. I live nearby and spoke to the developer who says he recently bought it. He says it's too far gone to be saved. I'm sure there's a cost consideration, but houses in worse shape have certainly been saved.

So...good to see some interest in the hood, but sad that an old beauty is coming down.

**CHIOSSO** · 10-18-2012, 01:59 PM

every thing can be saved, i have seen houses rotted from the roof to the cellar saved. but it comes down to how much you have to spend.

**love to travel** · 10-18-2012, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by JH1234

Sorry to say, but it looks like a developer is planning to tear the old girl down and build on that wide lot. I live nearby and spoke to the developer who says he recently bought it. He says it's too far gone to be saved. I'm sure there's a cost consideration, but houses in worse shape have certainly been saved.

So...good to see some interest in the hood, but sad that an old beauty is coming down.

Did he say what he is going to build ?

**JH1234** · 10-18-2012, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by love to travel

Did he say what he is going to build ?

No, but when he found out I lived nearby he asked, "Are you a Temple student? Because we would love it if we could get Temple students."

So, I'd assume something multi-unit. Although that's just speculation.

**chudclay** · 10-19-2012, 08:19 PM

this home was far from needing to be ditched, especially for the garbage that is likely being proposed.

Originally Posted by JH1234

No, but when he found out I lived nearby he asked, "Are you a Temple student? Because we would love it if we could get Temple students."

So, I'd assume something multi-unit. Although that's just speculation.

**JH1234** · 02-06-2013, 05:04 PM

Zoning notices went up today. They seem to be proposing a 4 story building with 10 units and rear decks at each level.

So my question is...if a ZBA hearing is already scheduled, does that mean the neighborhood portion has already taken place? Does there even need to be a neighborhood meeting (via CDC or whatever)?

**gideon** · 02-09-2013, 09:16 AM

what a shame. such a unique house.

**Sharkfood** · 02-10-2013, 07:07 PM

As long as we're on the topic of skinny houses.

303 & 305 W. Oxford - both 10 feet wide

6xx N. 2nd St. (can't pinpoint exact address) - also 10 feet wide