Significance: This Romanesque beauty has been a neighborhood landmark since its construction in 1927. The interior isn't as ornate as the Assumption or St. Boniface, but it provides a TON of space.

Failed Plans: None; this church was closed in 2012 due to declining attendance and still stands in pretty decent shape.

Candidate For: Event space, library, restaurants. The sky is the limit with a building like this. It just depends on what the neighborhood is willing to support.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Closed in 2002 after 85 years in operation as a manufacturing plant for auto/rail parts. The complex is MASSIVE (2.4 million sq ft) but sits vacant as a reminder of Philadelphia's industrial past.

Failed Plans: The failed Budd Commerce Center proposal (2004) would have rehabbed the property as offices, retail, residential, and manufacturing facilities. The right plan could generate big changes for the neighborhood.

Candidate For: Vocational training campus and/or offices. The bad news? A new developer purchased the complex in March 2011 and currently owes more than $321,000 in property taxes.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: It started as a Ford manufacturing plant, became a production facility for men's suits, and now stands vacant at Broad & Lehigh. This colossal building is visible in photos of the old Baker Bowl stadium where Babe Ruth played his final game just across the street.

Failed Plans: None; seen as being too expensive to redevelop and too expensive to demolish.

Candidate For: Student housing or commercial headquarters. This would make a lot of sense for Temple University to redevelop, considering its proximity to the campus and transit lines.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Oddly shaped and abandoned for decades, but located in the up-and-coming Brewerytown neighborhood.

Failed Plans: Originally part of the Brewerytown Square development project, this building was approved for conversion into loft apartments just nine months ago but no further progress has been made.

Candidate For: Residences, coworking studio space.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Operated for 99 years before falling victim to severe budget cuts that forced 23 closures in June 2013. Comedian Bill Cosby attended Germantown High before dropping out and enlisting in the Army in 1956.

Failed Plans: None yet, but the community will be intimately involved in the process to determine a buyer and strategy for reuse.

Candidate For: Community center, museum space, retirement community.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Built in 1919 and closed in 1971, the Steel Heddle plant landed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 and would qualify for historic tax credits, taking some of the burden off the cost of renovation / adaptive reuse.

Failed Plans: None; abandoned for decades.

Candidate For: Offices and/or residences. But the Allegheny West neighborhood has a long way to go and needs to show signs of revitalization first.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Built in 1924 and closed in 2007, it's a local landmark in the Kingsessing neighborhood and doesn't appear to need many renovations.

Failed Plans: None yet.

Candidate For: Offices, residences. The spacious interior would even make for a good theater.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Built in 1875 and was once the largest dyeworks operation in Philadelphia. Located just a few blocks away from the Piazza, 3rd Ward, and the rest of Kensington/Fishtown's growing creative community.

Failed Plans: None; this property has been largely ignored and recently vacated by a lamp design company.

Candidate For: A new plan is brewing today that aims to transform the two buildings into apartment units, offices, restaurants, green space, and parking. It sounds like it'd be the Piazza v2.0, which would be a big improvement over its current state.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Used as a National Guard depot for a century before falling into disrepair over the last two decades.

Failed Plans: Purchased by the Tolentine Community Center in 2003 but property restrictions combined with structural damage proved redevelopment impossible.

Candidate For: Residences. A redevelopment plan is in place to demolish the entire structure in favor of a brand new 50-unit apartment complex complete with a green roof deck. It sounds like this project will move forward, but the building stands for now, albeit loaded with asbestos.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Ten stories and 178,000 square feet of manufacturing space that has been vacant for way too long.

Failed Plans: A 2006 proposal to convert the building into luxury condominiums seems to have been shot down, as the developer was apparently unwilling to sign a community benefits agreement.

Candidate For: Residences, event space. It should be tied in with the neighborhood arts community.

(Photo courtesy PhillyShark)

Significance: Former envelope factory within Center City boundaries and a mere stone's throw away from the future Reading Viaduct Park.

Failed Plans: None yet, but this area will boom with development once the viaduct project gets underway.

Candidate For: Residential lofts, creative studio space.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Significance: Built in 1916 by famed Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer and formerly served as Beneficial's headquarters.

Failed Plans: A 2010 proposal called "1200 Bank" would have converted the building into a restaurant and billiard hall, complete with an open roof deck for the evening crowd. Evidently, the neighbors were concerned about noise and the plans fell apart.

Candidate For: Offices, retail, restaurants. Its location at 12th & Chestnut makes it prime real estate for commerce and entertainment.

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)