Building near Frankford Chocolate Factory eyed for development

A group that’s currently demolishing parts of the Frankford Chocolate factory for apartments and retail is turning their sights next door.

Philly-based developer Ori Feibush is currently under contract to buy the Joseph E. Biben Sales Corp. building at 22nd and Washington, just down the street from the historic Frankford Chocolate Factory that Feibush’s team is in the process of demolishing now, according to a report from Philly.com.

They plan to turn the Joseph E. Biben site into 14,000 square feet of retail with underground parking and 100 apartment units on the upper levels, Philly.com reports.

The news is yet another installment in the development of the western portion of Washington Avenue, which is expecting several major renovation projects within the next few years.

The most talked-about is the historic chocolate factory at 2101 Washington, which Feibush bought in a $15.5 million deal in April. The 1865-built structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, but not on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, meaning it was not protected from demolition. A recent trip to the site showed construction vehicles on the area.

Feibush has said he plans to convert the space—which he has deemed in deplorable condition—into 44 townhouses, 20,000 square feet of retail and 20,000 square feet of public space.

As a reason for developing the structure, Feibush, who has an office at 20th and Washington, has cited the neighborhood’s need for revitalization.

He’s not alone in this thought. Just yesterday news broke that the popular Dock Street Brewery, which currently has a location in West Philly, is planning to open a 11,000 square foot site at a former warehouse on 2118 Washington Avenue.

• Group razing Chocolate Factory building to buy land for development [Philly.com]
• Ori Feibush buys historic chocolate factory for homes, retail [Curbed Philly]
• Craft Brewery Planned for a Stretch of Washington Ave [Eater Philly]