PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII

[hammersklavier]

Okay, I remember that idea.

Which reminds me: I wish that we would put up a good east viewshed for PSFS--i.e. either or a 200 or 300 ft. construction ceiling immediately fronting Market, but no such limits on the Chestnut Street side.

[Skyscraper.Phanatic]

Volgus I do neither planning or Real Estate although I did consult with Ed Bacon when he was still alive. My only concern in submitting a 20-25 page plan to the CCD was the anemic state of Chestnut Street and Market East 15 years ago. It has been stagnant ever since. I think the quickest way to revive the street short of a major convention center hotel would be the expansion of the Reading Terminal Market to Market Street East. Perhaps they can give a Keystone Opportunity Zone tax type incentive to get more office workers East of Broad. Philadelphia had been a great media and publishing center for 150 years; perhaps those type of businesses can be targeted along with internet based technology firms.

[Ritz48]

At this time Macy's at the Wanamaker Building is one of the the fastest growing doors at the over 800 store nationwide chain. Macy's has not only recently reclaimed space throughout the 3 floors it occupies for additional retail sales space, but has taken some steps to seek the floors above that were deleted by May Company and Woodward and Lothrup over the past 15 years. The new Macy strategy called MY Macy's where local teams of Merchandisers and Planners have been seeking opportunities to exploit the floor space in the store. At this time they have run out of space. Center City will likely exceed Macy's sales at Cherry Hill and King of Prussia with less square footage in 2011. Center City sales have trailed these 2 locations since the store was downsized and many categories were deleted.

Macy's has a monopoly on downtown retail in serval key merchandise categories. The growth has been fueled by the growing center city residential population and vistors generated by the Convention Center. In fact inventory and sales plans have been influenced by key meetings and events such as the recent Marathon at the convention center.

It is surprising that the retail/restaurant growth on 13th street and along Chestnut Street near Macy's has not expanded further.

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by Skyscraper.Phanatic

Volgus I do neither planning or Real Estate although I did consult with Ed Bacon when he was still alive. My only concern in submitting a 20-25 page plan to the CCD was the anemic state of Chestnut Street and Market East 15 years ago. It has been stagnant ever since. I think the quickest way to revive the street short of a major convention center hotel would be the expansion of the Reading Terminal Market to Market Street East. Perhaps they can give a Keystone Opportunity Zone tax type incentive to get more office workers East of Broad. Philadelphia had been a great media and publishing center for 150 years; perhaps those type of businesses can be targeted along with internet based technology firms.

Personally I would like to see the main public room of the Terminal headhouse used as a flagship (i.e. daily and/or all-year) space for weekly farmers' markets that have been popping up all over the city. Reading Terminal could also seriously look at migrating some of its most space-intensive institutions into the currently-vacant spaces (I think there are four of them) surrounding the headhouse atrium, thereby freeing up valuable space in the main building.

Originally Posted by Ritz48

At this time Macy's at the Wanamaker Building is one of the the fastest growing doors at the over 800 store nationwide chain. Macy's has not only recently reclaimed space throughout the 3 floors it occupies for additional retail sales space, but has taken some steps to seek the floors above that were deleted by May Company and Woodward and Lothrup over the past 15 years. The new Macy strategy called MY Macy's where local teams of Merchandisers and Planners have been seeking opportunities to exploit the floor space in the store. At this time they have run out of space. Center City will likely exceed Macy's sales at Cherry Hill and King of Prussia with less square footage in 2011. Center City sales have trailed these 2 locations since the store was downsized and many categories were deleted.

Macy's has a monopoly on downtown retail in serval key merchandise categories. The growth has been fueled by the growing center city residential population and vistors generated by the Convention Center. In fact inventory and sales plans have been influenced by key meetings and events such as the recent Marathon at the convention center.

It is surprising that the retail/restaurant growth on 13th street and along Chestnut Street near Macy's has not expanded further.

I knew it!

[Phil_North]

Originally Posted by Ritz48

At this time Macy's at the Wanamaker Building is one of the the fastest growing doors at the over 800 store nationwide chain. Macy's has not only recently reclaimed space throughout the 3 floors it occupies for additional retail sales space, but has taken some steps to seek the floors above that were deleted by May Company and Woodward and Lothrup over the past 15 years. The new Macy strategy called MY Macy's where local teams of Merchandisers and Planners have been seeking opportunities to exploit the floor space in the store. At this time they have run out of space. Center City will likely exceed Macy's sales at Cherry Hill and King of Prussia with less square footage in 2011. Center City sales have trailed these 2 locations since the store was downsized and many categories were deleted.

Macy's has a monopoly on downtown retail in serval key merchandise categories. The growth has been fueled by the growing center city residential population and vistors generated by the Convention Center. In fact inventory and sales plans have been influenced by key meetings and events such as the recent Marathon at the convention center.

It is surprising that the retail/restaurant growth on 13th street and along Chestnut Street near Macy's has not expanded further.

This is great news. I am pleasantly surprised. It may not be 34th street, but it's great for Center City. I don't think it will ever reach the status that Wanamaker's once had, but it's great western anchor for Market East.

[pwp]

Originally Posted by Ritz48

At this time Macy's at the Wanamaker Building is one of the the fastest growing doors at the over 800 store nationwide chain. Macy's has not only recently reclaimed space throughout the 3 floors it occupies for additional retail sales space, but has taken some steps to seek the floors above that were deleted by May Company and Woodward and Lothrup over the past 15 years. The new Macy strategy called MY Macy's where local teams of Merchandisers and Planners have been seeking opportunities to exploit the floor space in the store. At this time they have run out of space. Center City will likely exceed Macy's sales at Cherry Hill and King of Prussia with less square footage in 2011. Center City sales have trailed these 2 locations since the store was downsized and many categories were deleted.

Macy's has a monopoly on downtown retail in serval key merchandise categories. The growth has been fueled by the growing center city residential population and vistors generated by the Convention Center. In fact inventory and sales plans have been influenced by key meetings and events such as the recent Marathon at the convention center.

It is surprising that the retail/restaurant growth on 13th street and along Chestnut Street near Macy's has not expanded further.

If these numbers are accurate, then its only a matter of time - and most likely imminent - that another (high-end ish) retailer opens along east Market. Imagine a Home Depot thriving in an underserved area. What would happen? Loews would plop itself down right along side of it.

[hammersklavier]

While not the only part of Center City that holds large (potential) floorplates, Market East holds a significant chunk of them, and the preponderance of the ones that were historically used for retail.

That said, with the Macy's providing a nice solid western anchor for the corridor, the focus must now be on the eastern anchors: the still-vacant Strawbridge's and the Disney Hole (formerly a Gimbels).

[aro1419]

http://philly.brownstoner.com/2010/1...ooking_alo.php
What do you all think of the hotel planned for 401 Race Street? I really hope that it won't be an aloft hotel because we already have two(correct me if I'm wrong) in the city. Plus, a more luxurious boutique hotel would be nicer.

[EastSideHBG]

Originally Posted by aro1419

http://philly.brownstoner.com/2010/1...ooking_alo.php
What do you all think of the hotel planned for 401 Race Street? I really hope that it won't be an aloft hotel because we already have two(correct me if I'm wrong) in the city. Plus, a more luxurious boutique hotel would be nicer.

There is an article in the Inquirer today saying that the neighborhood is not being supportive:

Neighbors resist plan for hotel, condos in Old City

By Miriam Hill
Inquirer Staff Writer

A plan to build a hotel and condominiums in Old City ran into resistance Monday from neighbors who fear that plans for restaurants at the site would lead to the creation of a large, noisy nightclub, but advanced from a City Council committee.

Residents who testified also disliked a large electronic sign that the developers say they need to draw attention to the businesses there.

The site, on Race Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets, was the home of Pincus Bros.-Maxwell, a maker of men's suits. Council's Rules Committee advanced a bill to rezone the area from industrial to commercial. It is expected to go before the full Council Dec. 9.

ARC Properties of Clifton, N.J., wants to build a six-story, 150-room hotel, with restaurants, a food store, and a 500-square-foot dance floor at ground level. The hotel rooms would be built atop the current building and overlook a large courtyard.

The company plans to complete the hotel phase of the project in early 2012 and hopes to add 50 condominiums after that, depending on demand.

ARC expects the development to create 260 permanent jobs and about 150 construction jobs. ARC was a developer of the 10 Rittenhouse Square condominiums.

Trade unions and the Old City District, which represents some area businesses, praised the project because it will employ people in a slow economy.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_...#ixzz16oVw0gv2
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

[Pennsgrant]

The local construction industry needs something to break soon. The Convention Center expansion is wrapping up,The IRS renovation is done, all the condos towers are finished,Penn and Chop are at a lull.

That 401 race project would help but we need some breaking news. Thank goodness for Temple and No Lib.

[volguus zildrohar]

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

Okay, I remember that idea.

I'll still post them for the benefit of anyone not familair with them.

All renderings by BLT (according to the folder).

Girard Estate Block





And two more I had of a concept for the Disney Hole.

[hammersklavier]

See now VZ, that massing study on the Girard Block is topsy-turvy. The 20-story element should face Market, while the really tall stuff goes on Chestnut...that way the PSFS Building's east viewshed gets protected.

[teeheee]

Originally Posted by volguus zildrohar

I'll still post them for the benefit of anyone not familair with them.

All renderings by BLT (according to the folder).

Girard Estate Block

VZ, what is the probability of this being built?

[volguus zildrohar]

About as likely as anything else not institutional right now. The commercial market is what it is - that's why everything being built right now is either funded with public money (i.e. infrastructure or municipal projects) or institutional money (such as hospitals and schools).

hammer, I'd tend to agree with you. That was most likely just a massing. Whenever something gets built there the developer would surely want to maximize the land but they'd be fortunate in having the entire block to work with. It wouldn't be necessary to front anything tall on Market Street though we both know that would probably be the more attractive option to the people involved.

[volguus zildrohar]

Well, "Market East Square" is on the back burner.

Electronic Signs On East Market Street Put Off For Now

Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio 1060.

Could a taste of Times Square come to Center City?

Not any time soon, apparently, as City Council postponed a debate on the idea, Monday.

City Councilman Frank DiCicco proposed a bill to allow electronic signage on Market Street East, which he hopes would bring that area some sorely-needed nightlife.

“Market Street from — I’m being generous — 11th to 6th is the dead zone after 5:30pm,” said DiCicco. “Hardly anybody’s out there.”

But the idea quickly infuriated activists opposed to any signage, some of who argued that electronic billboards would clash with the historic nature of that district.

DiCicco, in the end, postponed the council committee though he denies it was because of the opposition.

He says he plans to re-write the bill to ensure historic views are preserved and he will reschedule the hearing, probably next year.

[Plokoon11]

Wow the Girard Estate Block bldings remind me of the Comcast Tower a little bit with a different style to it.

[thenbagis]

hey.. just thought I'd pass this along...

In just a few months Brownstone has become quite a good Philly development and real estate blog. Well... They're struggling financially and need some help with marketing/selling ads.

Here is further info:
http://philly.brownstoner.com/2010/1..._the_union.php

(I know I've seen a few of you post on their website and can attest they've done good)

Just thought if anyone here is in advertising they may want to offer them some suggestions. It'd be sad to see it disappear so soon.

[McBane]

But the idea quickly infuriated activists opposed to any signage, some of who argued that electronic billboards would clash with the historic nature of that district.

Historic nature? What is historic about Market between 11th and 6th? Philadelphia has a lot of history, some better than others. If there is anything historic about Market East, it is clearly not worth preserving. These people's complaints are totally frivolous and DiCicco caved like a house of cards.

[hammersklavier]

Robinson's, the Post Office, Strawbridge's, Lit Bros., and Rohm & Haas Dow are all considered historic along that stretch.

But SCRUB's point is moot, since this was historically a neon district and (except maybe Dow) all those buildings are used to having signs draped all over them.

[volguus zildrohar]

Indeed, the idea of "historic nature" is a little stretched when applied to Market East. I have to do some research to find them but there are images of what Market Street looked like at night in the 20s, 30s and 40s - it was indeed Philadelphia's Great White Way so to say that there is no precedent for the strip is a damn flat-out lie.

Taking the time to adjust what areas, presumably, would be covered by the zoning change is sensible to a point. For example, a popular target for the ire of CCD-types is the concrete garage at 7th & Market on the same block as Dow. In one of it's previous reports on improving the state of Market East that garage in particular is mentioned as being a good candidate for just this type of thing. Of course the structure is across the street from the Graff House, next door to the Atwater Kent and a block from The Liberty Bell. Would giant neon signs really be a good transition from a commercial corridor to the historic heart of the city? Should the zoning change stop at 8th Street instead of 7th? These are the "pertinent" problems and they are, I think, easily resolved as long as the people who make the decisions use common sense and don't give in to some wingnut media luddites.