PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII - Page 255

brenster · #**5081** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 4:41 PM**

At least it's not 12 stories like they were talking before.

Liam · #**5082** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 4:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

I forget who was worried about the green space of Hill Field in UCity disappearing with the construction of the new dorms but here is a render from Penn Concepts that shows that the field will still exist but will now be enclosed by dorms on all sides.

http://www.pennconnects.upenn.edu/fi...e_overview.php

At least from the early rendering, it still looks like most of Hill Field is going to be lost. I guess more street level activity along that area is a plus, but I'd rather see the north side of Chestnut Street there developed first. Park space, especially space that isn't effectively walled off from the rest of the world by Penn buildings, is at a premium in this area.

hammersklavier · #**5083** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 5:56 PM**

I'm a little disappointed Brandywine isn't opting to construct the residential portion of Cira South, but we will hopefully finally (!) be getting development on 1919 Market, which will hopefully drive the redevelopment of the south side of the 2100 block and redevelopment of the 2200 block in toto of Market.

summersm343 · #**5084** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

It's open to the public. Take your bike, the streets down there are really quiet and it's awesomely bikeable.

Don't forget to check out the industrial areas to the west of the Reserve Basin/Urban Outfitters area as well, they're incredibly gritty though lacking the streetscape improvements of the east.

Awesome. I will definitely be heading down to check it out in the near future.

summersm343 · #**5085** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 6:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josef

Someone must... but if they don't, we should all chip in and buy one, heh.

Also, re: visiting the Navy Yard, http://navyyard.org/visitor-information says:

I like that last part. As if they'd be cool if I was like "Hey dudes can I just jump on this real quick? Go invade Tinicum?"

Hahaha... thanks for the info.

Also very excited that we will finally be seeing some development at 1919 Market and I really hope it turns out to be taller than 25 floors. I thought they were adding 5 floors of office space in for IBX?

jrdizzy · #**5086** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 6:29 PM**

I saw the old 12 story rendering of 1919 Market on Phillyshark so I thought I would do quick edit with paint. Here is what it may have looked like with 25 stories. I only spent 5 minutes on it so please ignore the lampost on the left.

summersm343 · #**5087** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 6:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdizzy

I saw the old 12 story rendering of 1919 Market on Phillyshark so I thought I would do quick edit with paint. Here is what it may have looked like with 25 stories. I only spent 5 minutes on it so please ignore the lampost on the left.

Hmm very nice... not bad at all! If this had 5 more floors to it I would be VERY satisfied.

McBane · #**5088** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 7:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Hmm very nice... not bad at all! If this had 5 more floors to it I would be VERY satisfied.

EVERY project would look great with another 5 stories!

Jelly Roll · #**5089** Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 7:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdizzy

I saw the old 12 story rendering of 1919 Market on Phillyshark so I thought I would do quick edit with paint. Here is what it may have looked like with 25 stories. I only spent 5 minutes on it so please ignore the lampost on the left.

I think that would look great.

aro1419 · #**5090** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 12:48 AM**

^^^^Nice to see that 19th and Market will finally be getting the highrise that it deserves. I'm a bit excited now!!!

Anyway, on philadelphiaspeaks.com, someone started a thread mentioning how the starwood website now says that they are opening a W hotel in Philadelphia in January of 2015, with no other details. I am almost 100% certain that this was recently added to their website and is not just left over from the failed project a couple of years ago. What do you all think???
link to the website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotel...ortType=region

Ghost1454 · #**5091** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 1:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjawho

So I may get yelled at for asking this here but maybe you can cut me some slack, all things considered.

I'm starting to see a girl who's moved to Philly in the last 4 months. She's from Milwaukee and so far doesn't really like our lovely city. Two problems. She's not yet 21 and she spends most of her time in CC, (around City Hall mostly), and a small part of Univ C. Obviously, most people would hate Philly if those were the only two places you got to see on a daily basis.

So, I'm going to start taking her around. First up is the Italian Market on sat morning and Sabrina's for brunch. We'll probably walk back through Queen's Village and Society Hill. I was thinking of biking up to the Wisahicken, (or even just up Kelly Drive, I don't know if she's done that yet.). Last weekend we went to Fitler Square which I think she liked that a lot.

We're both artists and like music. I know Union Transfer has a lot of under 21 shows but it's probably a no go for Johnny Brendas or KFNT.

I want to take her places that we all really enjoy and are uniquely our city. Nothing touristy. Hidden parks and neighborhoods with a nice vibe and places eat. Or chill venues like Chris' Jazz Cafe, etc.

I feel like an idiot asking but I just really want to impress her and no one knows our city like we do here on the board, IMHO.

The Morris arboretum in Chestnut Hill is a beautiful little getaway to explore. I believe they charge you $7 to get in with a student ID but you could easily explore the gardens for the better part of a day, definitely worth it.

apetrella802 · #**5092** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 1:31 AM**

the W Hotel website:

W Philadelphia - Opening January, 2015

1441 Chestnut St.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19102United States

T: To be Announced

1441 Chestnut Street is directly behind The Residance at the Ritz

aro1419 · #**5093** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 2:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by apetrella802

the W Hotel website:

W Philadelphia - Opening January, 2015

1441 Chestnut St.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19102United States

T: To be Announced

1441 Chestnut Street is directly behind The Residance at the Ritz

I know omg they replied to my email saying that, as well. I can't believe that we will finally be getting a W Hotel and that it will be built from scratch on a surface lot!!!!!!!!

This is the best news of the YEAR for me so far!!!

We Got Five · #**5094** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 3:41 AM**

Quote:

Anyway, on philadelphiaspeaks.com, someone started a thread mentioning how the starwood website now says that they are opening a W hotel in Philadelphia in January of 2015, with no other details. I am almost 100% certain that this was recently added to their website and is not just left over from the failed project a couple of years ago. What do you all think???
link to the website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotel...ortType=region

Zero, repeat Zero chance we get a "W" in the next 10 years. Zero.

teeheee · #**5095** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 4:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

I'm a little disappointed Brandywine isn't opting to construct the residential portion of Cira South, but we will hopefully finally (!) be getting development on 1919 Market, which will hopefully drive the redevelopment of the south side of the 2100 block and redevelopment of the 2200 block in toto of Market.

So long as The Forum remains standing!

aro1419 · #**5096** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 4:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We Got Five

Zero, repeat Zero chance we get a "W" in the next 10 years. Zero.

Why Zero chance that we get a W Hotel Mr. Pessimistic? A lot of hotel chains are opening up across the city, so why would a W Hotel never open up here? Obviously if starwood has chosen a second location for a W Hotel, they are serious about getting one built. So again, why is there "zero chance" that a W Hotel gets built in the city, because, despite what you might want to believe, Philadelphia is actually a desirable place.

SkyscraperGuru · #**5097** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

I'm a little disappointed Brandywine isn't opting to construct the residential portion of Cira South, but we will hopefully finally (!) be getting development on 1919 Market, which will hopefully drive the redevelopment of the south side of the 2100 block and redevelopment of the 2200 block in toto of Market.

So, is Cira South finally underway? I'm much, much more excited about Cira 2 than Cira South however. Cira 2 would be our cities 2nd/3rd largest skyscraper if it happened, and spur up development of the cities expanding western skyline.

We Got Five · #**5098** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 4:11 PM**

Quote:

Why Zero chance that we get a W Hotel Mr. Pessimistic? A lot of hotel chains are opening up across the city, so why would a W Hotel never open up here? Obviously if starwood has chosen a second location for a W Hotel, they are serious about getting one built. So again, why is there "zero chance" that a W Hotel gets built in the city, because, despite what you might want to believe, Philadelphia is actually a desirable place.

We are a desirable place to live...but not a desirable place for a W Hotel. Yes, there have been several hotel chains open up here - but not luxury hotels. I never said a W Hotel would never open up here, I simply stated we will not see one here within 10 years. How many luxury brand hotels in competition with W have been built in the last 10 years? 15 years? 20 years? Answer is 2. And only one was built from the ground up. 1441 Chestnut Street means building from the ground up - no shot in the market.

summersm343 · #**5099** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 5:01 PM**

I am very excited about a W Hotel on the lot behind the Ritz Carlton! Seems like the perfect spot for it and I do believe it will happen!

Cro Burnham · #**5100** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 6:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

I am very excited about a W Hotel on the lot behind the Ritz Carlton! Seems like the perfect spot for it and I do believe it will happen!

Mahoney/Mariner sold that site, right? I hope. Anyone know who bought it? I think the probability of this project happening depends alot on the credibility of the developer. If the developer is a small time no name local group (eg, Mahoney, or the guy who was pushing the International Commerce Center or the folks behind the World Trade Center), I'd have to agree with WG5. Such a people would never be able to pull a deal of this type off. I doubt a Craig Spencer type could either. But if the developer is a bonafide group - like Starwood itself or another relatively deep-pocketed corporate name, then I could see it as a possibility. The thing is, those types of developers seem generally to avoid Philly.

Presumably such a deal would depend heavily on local subsidies and tax breaks which would piss off the competition to no end and likely trigger law suits of one type or another. Could end up being a pretty acrimonious affair.

All the same, it's probably the best remaining location in town for such a concept. I hope it works.