Demolition Watch: Bunting House

Four nineteenth-century buildings at the corner of Ridge and Roxborough Avenues face imminent demolition after a new owner pulled a demolition permit earlier this month, surprising neighbors and former tenants who were told that the houses would be rehabilitated.  Included on the demolition permit is the Bunting House at 5901 Ridge Avenue, one of the finest surviving Second Empire homes in Roxborough (pictured above).  Because none of the houses are listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, the Department of Licences and Inspections approved the demolition permit without the notification or approval of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, which lacks any authority to intervene without historic designation.  The permit was applied for by Giovannone Construction Inc. of Conshohocken, which purchased the four properties last year at sheriff’s sale.

Local residents have started an online petition targeting the developers, who have not announced any plans for the parcels.  The Preservation Alliance encourages you to add your voice of support to Roxborough residents fighting to save an important piece of their community heritage.  CLICK HERE to sign the petition, and read more about the project at the Roxborough Review.