Down Goes the Bunting House

A day after a Hail Mary court gambit by local neighborhood groups to preserve a Victorian home failed, construction crews began demolition at 5901 Ridge Ave.

The Bunting House met his fate Friday morning when workers took the wrecking ball to the 1880s home formerly owned by Dr. Ross Bunting, a prominent Philadelphia physician in the early 20th century. A Court of Common Pleas judge ruled against an injunction to halt demolition.

Property owners Giavannone Construction acquired the home along with neighboring Ridge Avenue buildings and secured city permits to demolish the structures to make way for a vacant lot.

The Central Roxborough Civic Association led a charge to preserve the historical—but not historically registed—home, but negotiations, and later, judicial action fell through.

Frank Giavannone has testified in court that the investment group behind the project sought fast food, medical and banking clients to take over the existing property. However, the ancient buildings internal conditions yielded no buyers. Additionally, some of the buildings have been vandalized and burglarized since becoming vacant.

No set plans exist for the property, which occupies a prominent Roxborough corner at Ridge and Roxborough Avenues. 

Construction crews Friday began at the rear of the Bunting House. Permits also exist to demolish 5905, 5907 and 5909 Ridge Ave.