Oaks Shopping Center Getting Closer to Opening

It has been over a year since construction started on Oaks Shopping Center at the intersection of Black Rock and Egypt Roads, in Oaks, PA. Originally, the center was to open in the autumn of 2013. Inclement weather throughout 2013 kept construction behind schedule. As the winter weather finally begins to recede, construction gets closer to completion.

Wendy's is hiring, as you can see by the sign.

Penn Liberty Bank from Egypt Rd side and behind with servers from Uno parking along the roadway.

Concrete is being cut in front of Wawa. Their fuel pumps are in place under the large canopy.

The stores in the rear of the center are not quite as far along as the bank, Wendy's and Wawa seem to be.

This is an overall view of the center from the corner of Egypt and Gumbes Rds. On the lot in the foreground the Buffalo Wild Wings Bar and Grill will arise. 

It won't be long before bright lights shine all night long, day after day, everyday of the year combined with the odor of burning beef and chicken wafting through the air.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Oaks Shopping Center - One Year Later

Just a bit more than one year has elapsed since I began photographically following the progress of construction at the Oaks Shopping Center site. What a difference a year makes!

 

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Egypt Road Houses Demolished

All the houses in the way of widening Egypt Road, 1311, 1401, 1403, 1405 and 1409, are just piles of bricks and twisted metal. 

Source:Google Maps

1311 Before - Source:Google Maps

1311 After

1401 and 1403 Before - Source:Google Maps

1401 and 1403 After

1405 Before - Source:Google Maps

1309 Before - Source:Google Maps

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Chicago Grill Outside and In, Oaks PA

Work began at the Chicago Grill site in late 2012. This is the status as of 20 August 2013.

View of Chicago Grill from Oaks Shopping Center building site

Chicago Grill is far ahead of any building construction at the Oaks Shopping Center site. 

Chicago Grill from Black Rock Road

The walls are up and the roof is on. 

Stone veneer applied to cement block

Some exterior detail work is complete

                           Front   

                

      Interior     

The floor is poured but not much else is complete inside.

Chicago Grill 20 August 2013

The exterior should certainly look impressive when complete.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Road Work Changes Face of Oaks Deli and Pizzeria

22 August 2013

25 August 2013

Entrance to Oaks Pizzeria, 21 August 2013

A wall went up at the entrance of Oaks Pizzeria. This structure will protect the pizzeria patrons from falling off the pavement as well as flying debris as the excavators remove a large portion of the patio to widen Egypt Road. 

Oaks Pizzeria, 26 August 2013

The road work continues through the night.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Demolition to Widen Egypt Rd.

The view along Egypt road has already changed since the beginning of 2013. Widening of Egypt Road near the eastbound entrance to US 422 is a part of the change. The widening will continue on the same side of the road going towards Phoenixville.

Work has already started between between Cresson Blvd. and Oaks Deli and Pizzeria.

The house there is unoccupied and the driveway and front lawn was dug up for utility work.

From the alignment of the utility poles, the patio outside Oaks Deli and Pizzeria just might be reduced in size by the road widening. 

Two buildings west of Mill Rd. have been stripped of all their asbestos shingles.

 

The building with the cupola at the intersection of Egypt Rd. and Station Ave. that is extremely close to the road was prepared for demolition. 

As is the adjacent brick building to the west on Egypt Rd.

The semi-detached houses seem to be the last on Egypt Rd. scheduled for demolition.

The view facing Norristown along Egypt Rd. from Brower Ave. will certainly be different by the end of 2013.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved