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  #1081  
Old Posted Sep 3, 2016, 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by hammersklavier View Post
Keep in mind dead zones exist because there isn't enough activity on the street. More activity on the street --> higher property values --> more incentive to build skyscrapers. OTOH if you try to overextend commercial spaces before the market is ready, that'll also create dead zones.

Wilmington is a quiet city, particularly from the eyes of someone used to Center City.
I guess so too. But I'm just saying it's been a long time since we've had much impact on the skyline and considering that lots of cities all over the place are getting crazy skyscraper booms, it would be great if Wilmington is able to.

I do have some questions on your opinions:

1.) How much impact would you think a downtown/riverfront mall would make on deadzone? I think it would be cool but at the same time, we've got christina mall and concord mall that are a few miles out of the city.

2.) How come a residential/hotel tower say 15-20 floors would not impact a deadzone as much as a 6 story residential/hotel building according to you? To me, the taller one would be more money but wouldn't it still attract residents and give them better views, it would impact the skyline, and say the bottom had some retail shops, that would attract people possible too. Wouldn't that do just as much as a 6 floor just residential building?

3.) How many deadzones would it really take to help Wilmington and for them to be able to build tons of more towers? Cause there's only so much space and the deadzone projects all look to take all space on where a skyscraper could be built?
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  #1082  
Old Posted Sep 3, 2016, 2:22 PM
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You have some good questions jonesrmj. There are some smart people on this website that understand, and can articulate urban planning theory better than I can. I will try answering with example, rather than theory.

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Originally Posted by jonesrmj View Post
I guess so too. But I'm just saying it's been a long time since we've had much impact on the skyline and considering that lots of cities all over the place are getting crazy skyscraper booms, it would be great if Wilmington is able to.

I do have some questions on your opinions:

1.) How much impact would you think a downtown/riverfront mall would make on deadzone? I think it would be cool but at the same time, we've got christina mall and concord mall that are a few miles out of the city.
Suburban malls like Christiana and Concord mall are pretty much dead zones themselves. They fly in the face of a live/work/play environment. Typically malls consume acre after acre of paved parking lots, and don't offer much in the way of job diversity.

IMO, an indoor mall in Wilmington would be worse than not having a mall at all. But maybe Wilmington could implement a walkable, outdoor mall in one of the dead zones? If so, it may be difficult to attract shoppers because the stores would be in direct competition with the other malls you mentioned, and require most people to use a car/truck/suv to get there. From a financial standpoint, these are serious risks to consider.

Let's also realize there are so many malls already. With Internet sales increasing, brick and mortar sales decreasing, I see much less demand for malls than say 20-30 years ago.

Should we consider a mall in Wilmington? I say no way.


Quote:
2.) How come a residential/hotel tower say 15-20 floors would not impact a deadzone as much as a 6 story residential/hotel building according to you? To me, the taller one would be more money but wouldn't it still attract residents and give them better views, it would impact the skyline, and say the bottom had some retail shops, that would attract people possible too. Wouldn't that do just as much as a 6 floor just residential building?
Let's compare one, mixed use 40 story building to eight, 5 story buildings in an area like Wilmington. Obviously this comparison would be a bit different in Philly, San Fran or NY.

A 40 story building would be built on a single parking lot. The density of that building would be very high for the area, but the surrounding parking lots / empty lots wouldn't change. People in the 40 story building would be limited in activities, and would likely be dependent on using a car, which in turns helps the nearby parking lots.

Eight, 5 story, mixed use buildings can be spread out. They could be a mix of fun architectures, and include a collection of diverse retail/restaurants on the first floor. This would have a few benefits:

1)The retail/restaurants in eight different buildings can provide a much richer, more diverse environment to eat and shop than a mall ever could.

2) The eight buildings would replace eight parking lots, and encourage foot traffic and less vehicular traffic between them. This would bring a much better sense of community and downtown "vibe", than a mall, or single building.

3) The downtown vibe would attract more and more people to want to live/work/play here. As such, the market will start to bear taller and taller buildings.

4) Now, when you put a mixed use 40 story building in the middle of a vibrant downtown, it is much easier to fill, and it helps all of the smaller building around it. Which then drives the market towards more 5 story buildings, etc..

Quote:
3.) How many deadzones would it really take to help Wilmington and for them to be able to build tons of more towers? Cause there's only so much space and the deadzone projects all look to take all space on where a skyscraper could be built?
Good question. For this, I have no answer.
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Last edited by Philly-Drew; Sep 4, 2016 at 1:53 AM.
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  #1083  
Old Posted Sep 3, 2016, 8:40 PM
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Philly-Drew answered the first question extremely well.

For the third: Consider Center City. There are still plenty of parking lots in Center City, even ones close to activity (like 20th and Walnut). But beyond that, there are also still plenty of underdeveloped parcels -- two-story commercial buildings on streets where the activity can support five- or twenty-story ones, for example.

While it isn't entirely true to say that a city will never run out of development opportunities, it is very true to say that, even in a lively downtown, there are still often un- or underdeveloped sites that can sustain much more in the way of density.

There are other factors at play here, too. Larger parcels are tougher to reactivate than smaller ones. This is, for example, why you see all the redevelopment action on Market Street -- which is still largely defined by parcels (and structures) that date to the 19th century, instead of King or Walnut streets.

Redevelopment of large parcels is tremendously expensive relative to smaller ones, and the results look and feel more like the corner of Harlan and Justison than 5th and Market. This leads to both lower rent per commercial concern and more commercial concerns per acre, both of which make Market feel much livelier than the waterfront.
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  #1084  
Old Posted Sep 3, 2016, 10:15 PM
skiesthelimit skiesthelimit is offline
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Since we're discussing Wilmington, I have a question that I've been trying to answer/imagine myself but I'm having a hard time doing so...

Does anyone else think it's almost impossible for Wilmington to ever become a major city because of current infrastructure (like the way the streets are networked, how neighborhoods are currently aligned, 95 splitting the city on one side, 495 on the other)?

And how does a small city evolve into a modern day major city naturally, and not fabricated like in the middle east?

I'm having a hard time imagining the city ever investing or having the ability to make a subway, at most they could reinvest light rail and revive the trolley (something they should have never done away with imo).

EDIT: Also, I was reading today, and found out that at one point Wilmington had over 100k? What occurred?
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  #1085  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2016, 12:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skiesthelimit View Post
Since we're discussing Wilmington, I have a question that I've been trying to answer/imagine myself but I'm having a hard time doing so...

Does anyone else think it's almost impossible for Wilmington to ever become a major city because of current infrastructure (like the way the streets are networked, how neighborhoods are currently aligned, 95 splitting the city on one side, 495 on the other)?
If you ask me, I say it's possible that wilmington could grow, and it looks like that they are trying to make it grow by filling in the deadzones and like many people say, it will help increase the possibility for building towers in the near future.

[/QUOTE=skiesthelimit;7550866]And how does a small city evolve into a modern day major city naturally, and not fabricated like in the middle east?[/QUOTE]

I bet its possible, but unlikely any time soon. 25 miles north is already a popular big city with its own intl airport and subway systems and news network that I guess right not it makes sense for Wilmington to rely on Philly for those reasons considering that its so close. I would love it for Wilmington to become a large popular city but it doesn't look like it will be anytime soon. The good news is like I said, the deadzones being filled will increase probability on things like towers and for Wilmington to just grow population wise.

[/QUOTE=skiesthelimit;7550866]I'm having a hard time imagining the city ever investing or having the ability to make a subway, at most they could reinvest light rail and revive the trolley (something they should have never done away with imo).[/QUOTE]

I don't think wilmington really needs a subway nowhere near as much as skyscrapers, deadzones to be filled, population increase, crime reduction, etc plus also, Wilmington is too small in my opinion to really need a subway. I would think it would be neat but I don't think Wilmington is there yet.

[/QUOTE=skiesthelimit;7550866]EDIT: Also, I was reading today, and found out that at one point Wilmington had over 100k? What occurred?[/QUOTE]

I bet you I can answer this question, if not get close to the answer. Wilmington was once a big settlement with tons of companies (both national and international) moving in and skyscraper booms happening and Wilmington was becoming a popular small city. Then came the crime, Companies have moved out (Including Dupont), people didn't want to live in major crime cities, development has stopped for a while and thats why I think the population went from 100k to 70k.

But Wilmington has gotten back together since 2011. Deadzones began to fill up, abandoned buildings were renovated and converted into apartments/condos, The riverfront boasted tons of new attractions, and the population is slowly increasing and crime is slowly reducing. And now colonial parking renders skyscrapers in some of their deadzone parking areas.

I think that by 2025 with the way Wilmington is now, Wilmington might make it back to 100k and even more possibly by then.

I'm sorry if some of my answers were incorrect, I just guessed for the most part based off of my knowledge. Hope this helps.
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  #1086  
Old Posted Sep 11, 2016, 3:07 PM
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A concern I have about Wilmington is when they fill in these dead zones with housing, will people really want to live there with all that crime? Cause if so, you aren't going to get much more population?
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  #1087  
Old Posted Sep 12, 2016, 2:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonesrmj View Post
A concern I have about Wilmington is when they fill in these dead zones with housing, will people really want to live there with all that crime? Cause if so, you aren't going to get much more population?
It's hard to guesstimate what the mean effect of the crime rate will be. This is because it isn't a hard-and-fast variable, and affects different prospective demographics differently. And even more importantly, the numerical crime rate might as well sit in a vacuum, as far as these things are concerned. What's much important is the perception of crime because this feeds into how risky a given move seems to be.

New Urbanists traditionally have a tripartite distinction w/r/t risk: risk-oblivious, risk-aware, and risk-averse. The idea here is that the perception of crime does not enter the risk-oblivious's mental calculus (issues like whether or not it's cheap enough to live there are far more important); the risk-aware want to see changes in a positive direction but are willing to live "on the frontier", as it were; and the risk-averse are, well, risk averse.

Here is a good article on the distinction.

What this means, for Wilmington, is that places in edge neighborhoods tend to go to the risk-oblivious, while the risk-aware hang a neighborhood or two back. (Usually, in Philadelphia, a construction wave hitting a neighborhood indicates that a tipping point has been passed and the risk-aware are moving in.) The risk-averse have their own waterfront semisuburban playgrounds that aren't really connected to the rest of the city.
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  #1088  
Old Posted Sep 19, 2016, 2:12 PM
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Lower Merion officials OK another Ardmore development

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelp...ess+Journal%29

Quote:
Ardmore's Cricket Avenue will soon see a ton of construction.

The Lower Merion Building and Planning Committee recommended the Board of Commissioners' approval of a mixed-use project that would create dozens of apartments and ground floor retail space at the site of the former Gillane's Tavern and the Ardmore Auto Body shop, according to Main Line Media News.

The project is located directly across the street from One Ardmore Place, the Dranoff Properties' mixed-use development that faced major hurdles before getting the green light to begin construction.
Lancaster Ave is going to be a mess.
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  #1089  
Old Posted Sep 19, 2016, 4:47 PM
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Atlantic City - Revel casino gets total rebrand as 'TEN'

Quote:
Glenn Straub has made a bold move Monday morning, announcing a total rebrand of the failed Revel casino he bought out of bankruptcy.

He's calling it: TEN, as in "the TEN brand symbolizes perseverance," which Straub will surely need, and arguably has shown, to get the still-outstanding proper approvals from city and state agencies.

The press release, issued a day before Straub is to appear before the N.J. Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in another attempt to get site approval for his property, says:

"The number ten depicts the highest standard of achievement and is widely recognized as the benchmark of quality and excellence. The TEN brand appropriately reflects its idyllic beachfront setting and complete guest experience as Atlantic City’s flagship property."

More:

"The TEN experience offers unrivaled elegance and affordable luxury for all that includes world-class rooms and suites, spas, pools, nightlife and day club escapes, gourmet dining, retail, a-list entertainment and gaming."

The announcement names TEN's chief executive officer as engineer/developer Robert A. Landino, who owns an architectural and engineering firm, and is involved with Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC, a solar energy firm, and Dolan Clothing in Los Angeles.

Its Chief Financial Officer is Alan Greenstein, who served in teh same capacity at Revel, before it went bankrupt and closed its doors in 2014, after little more than two years of operation.

The press release says "TEN" plans to open in the first three months of 2017 "... pending State of New Jersey licensing approvals."

"In many ways TEN is about a resurgence and commitment to the virtues of Atlantic City as a vintage East Coast destination while boldly redefining entertainment in today's society," Landino says in the announcement.

He promises 13 restaurants, spa, two theaters, three nightclubs, a day club and five pool areas, plus 130,000 square feet of gaming space. The restaurants and club at the original Revel were succesful, despite the failed overall property, and operators have consistently said they would want to reopen under the right management.

The new logo of TEN is a lopsided infinity sign. No word on whether anyone can claim the TEN-thousand dollars Straub previously offered to anyone who could come up with a new name for Revel.

This post will be updated. The website for the new venture is tenacnj.com and lists "career opportunities" on one tab. Four casinos closed in 2014 along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, and the Trump Taj Mahal is scheduled to cloe Oct. 10. Showboat has reopened under the ownership of Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein as a non-casino hotel.
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/d...-as--TEN-.html
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  #1090  
Old Posted Sep 20, 2016, 5:08 AM
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Wilmington Marriott Hotel, 13 X Market, Thurs AM 9/15


Looking northeast from 13 x Market:





Looking southeast from 13XX Market:





Above the entrance, you can see the aluminum framing as interior work is underway:





Looking northeast from 13 x Market:



More information on the hotel project in this piece:

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/...fast/79764672/

Workers have been going in and out of this building for weeks, even though progress seems slow from outside looking in. I'll keep an eye on it and update with photos as soon as something changes.

Last edited by domodeez; Sep 21, 2016 at 4:35 PM.
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  #1091  
Old Posted Sep 20, 2016, 4:08 PM
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Altar'd State
Anthropologie
BoConcept
Bonobos
Bottega Veneta
Carolina Herrera
Calligaris
Clarins
COS
Diane Von Furstenberg
Fendi
Jimmy Choo
Landing Gear
Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams
MCM
Nic+Zoe
Novesa London
Official Unlimited
Oliver Peoples
Primark
Rag & Bone
Robert Graham
Shinola Detroit
St. John
Stuart Weitzman
Super Dry
Vince
Bulgari, Marc Cain, Free People, Allen Edmonds and Suit Supply are coming to KOP Mall.

http://www.simon.com/mall/king-of-prussia/map
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  #1092  
Old Posted Sep 21, 2016, 12:50 PM
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Buccini/Pollin buys 3 buildings in Wilmington

"The three newest properties in the company's portfolio are slated to become part of the developer’s MKT brand – a collection of six, fully occupied apartment buildings containing a combined 114 units."

----B/P Group continues downtown Wilmington takeover - happy to see it...

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/...gton/90754038/

----Also, very happy Mike Purzycki won the mayoral Dem. primary... he's about as pro-development as it gets, was head of the Riverfront redevelopment and is very close with B/P Group. The only way Wilmington turns things around and gets rid of its current "Murdertown USA" label is too build, build, build.

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/...like/90413246/

"As mayor, Purzycki envisions a city with facades illuminated with light, bustling restaurants downtown, bike lanes on Union Street and cranes throughout the city building new residences and business spaces, he told The News Journal.

“I want people to come into the city and be struck by how beautiful it is,” he said. .........

Developing Wilmington

Purzycki envisions an “aggressive rebuilding program” for the city and said drivers entering the city shouldn’t see “10-foot high weeds and a rusted fence.”

“That suggests to you that there’s someone who neglects it,” he said.

Purzycki said the development model employed at the Riverfront could be duplicated throughout the city. The first step is to create a zoning overlay so that certain buildings, like warehouses in the case of the waterfront, are not permitted. Then he would tackle blight, and install infrastructure, like the riverwalk and the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park.

“You start to create the string that would have the pearls attached,” he said. ...

Purzycki’s plan for the city includes a high level of residential construction that will open the door for "hundreds and hundreds of jobs" like roofing, painting and masonry. He would like to see an apprenticeship program that graduates to professional work.

The city would also benefit from “enterprise and opportunity zones” in which new companies would locate to the city and receive tax and regulatory inducements for hiring locals, Purzycki said. Garasches Lane in Southbridge could be one such location, he said.

“It’s a pretty wide-reaching plan for economic development with the overarching belief that if you don’t get people working, none of this is going to work.”

------ Hopefully a new beginning for Wilmington, Mayor Williams failed the city, and was given the boot!
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  #1093  
Old Posted Sep 21, 2016, 4:29 PM
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Happened to pass by the Marriott at 13 x Market again today. Crews working on the inside but no visible difference on the facade from the last set of shots on 9/15. I did get a shot of the back (east) side though, which I missed before:

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  #1094  
Old Posted Sep 22, 2016, 12:47 AM
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Hey everyone. Wilmington seems to be looking good on these projects. I just have a question. You know how Brandywine Trust was going to build the 2 Christina Centre project but it got cancelled and Brandywine sold the lot to Chase? Well, do any of you have any news on what Chase is possibly going to do with the lot? If anyone has info, please be sure to let me know. Thanks!

Last edited by jonesrmj; Sep 22, 2016 at 7:38 PM.
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  #1095  
Old Posted Sep 22, 2016, 7:32 PM
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Also if anybody is interested to know the top 5 tallest buildings in Wilmington, here's a list.

1.) River Tower @ Christina Landing



340 feet (104 meters) 27 floors

2.) Chase Manhattan Center



330 feet (101 meters) 23 floors

3.) I.M. Pei Building



282 feet (86 meters) 22 floors

4.) Brandywine Building



259 feet (79 meters) 19 floors

5.) Citizens Bank Center



253 feet (77 meters) 20 floors
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  #1096  
Old Posted Sep 26, 2016, 12:51 PM
domodeez domodeez is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TallCoolOne View Post
"The three newest properties in the company's portfolio are slated to become part of the developer’s MKT brand – a collection of six, fully occupied apartment buildings containing a combined 114 units."

----B/P Group continues downtown Wilmington takeover - happy to see it...

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/...gton/90754038/
Thanks for sharing. The restoration of the building at 7th and Market will be the best part of this bunch.


Today:



After the restoration:



Historical context:
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  #1097  
Old Posted Sep 26, 2016, 6:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by domodeez View Post
Thanks for sharing. The restoration of the building at 7th and Market will be the best part of this bunch.


Today:



After the restoration:



Historical context:
Is this the building where there's a Starbucks coming to the bottom floor? I think I remember seeing that when I was driving down market street but I could be wrong.
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  #1098  
Old Posted Sep 26, 2016, 11:32 PM
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Jonesrmj, thank you for the awesome rundown! For someone who literally never gets to Wilmington, I really appreciate it!
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  #1099  
Old Posted Sep 26, 2016, 11:33 PM
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Is this the building where there's a Starbucks coming to the bottom floor? I think I remember seeing that when I was driving down market street but I could be wrong.
Nope that's across the street at 627 Market http://residemkt.com/property/mkt-627/
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  #1100  
Old Posted Sep 28, 2016, 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by domodeez View Post
Nope that's across the street at 627 Market http://residemkt.com/property/mkt-627/
Also, what makes that building you were talking about the best in the bunch after the rennovation? Was it vacant, or in terrible condition?
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