Salvage Stairway at Sunny Cliff
This week, we’d like to feature Julian Washington, one of Manayunk Design Group’s most beloved employees! For those of you who don’t know Julian, he came to us through Northlight Community Center’s Summer Career Exploration Program (SCEP) last May. Since then, he has maintained exemplary dedication and an unparalleled work ethic, bringing exuberance and creativity to the table with every task and trial. Julian, pictured (left) working with his partner Malachai White (also joining MDG from SCEP), has been working on his first major construction job: installing a set of salvage steps at a very special home in Manayunk.
The steps themselves are from a vintage brownstone at 520 Connaroe st in Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia. [map] MDG salvaged these steps 5 years ago, in an effort to preserve a piece of History!
The stairs traverse a treacherous turn up one of Manayunks most unique vantage points. Sunny Cliff sits perched atop all of the excitement of Main Street in Manayunk , overlooking Tower st, St. John the Baptist RC church, Prezel Park with a view of Belmont Hills and the Center City Skyline! Its a destination!
Sunny Cliff is located at 4334 (1/2) Boone Street [map], and has been “home” for a number artists, students, young professionals and great minds in its 200+ year history (wow!) In addition to the stair installation, Julian has also participated in a number of other projects at Sunny Cliff, including landscaping and planting the veggie garden! We were inspired by the Buy Fresh, Buy Local movement (Buy Local PA) and the (recently publicized) outcropping of CSA’s and farm markets in Philadelphia (MDG is a member of the renowned CSA, Greensgrow in Kensington!). Julian helped plant and prep beds for Tomatoes (big and small), green bell peppers, Hungarian hots, romaine and red-leaf lettuces, sorrell and fennel, swiss chard, leeks, onions, cucumbers and zucchini!