PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII - Page 256

cubanChris · #**5101** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 7:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

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.

I believe one of the Lenfests bought the lot actually. I don't know much about their history of development but they are fairly deep-pocketed.

relnahe · #**5102** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 7:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aro1419

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.

Just set him on ignore like any sane individual would. He offers nothing here.

acenturi · #**5103** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 9:04 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!

This is the original Waldorf Astoria Site which was canceled at the beginning of the recession. It'd be great if either the Waldorf or the Arch Street W designs where used here. Regarding the W itself and Philadelphia. Yes, a W would be a fine addition to the city, however we're not talking pawdunk here, like some of the classic negadelphians in this Forum imply. Philadelphia already has all of the major luxury brand hotels and some off brand top end ones. Even though a W is unique to the city, it has become a fairly common upper middle / lower top end offering and is growing like an ant colony, e.g., Hoboken, Austin, etc.. If they want to come, fine let Nutter roll out the red carpet, but the city really shouldn't subsidize them more than any other hotel. The convention center expansion alone, should support a new W. Now if this was a Waldorf - well that's a different story and a lot more exciting.

bryson662001 · #**5104** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 9:08 PM**

Early this morning (Saturday) a work crew showed up in front of the Boyd Theater at 19th and Chestnut (abandoned since 2006) and started doing …..something? Just before Clear Channel walked away from the project they started ripping off the portion of the façade that hangs over the sidewalk but stopped in the middle, leaving it looking like it had been bombed. It is one of the worst eyesores in CC west. Now new steel has been put up and it looks like the façade is getting a much needed repair job. I can’t find any info to suggest it is any more than that. Maybe after 6 years L&I finally got after them.

summersm343 · #**5105** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 9:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by acenturi

This is the original Waldorf Astoria Site which was canceled at the beginning of the recession. It'd be great if either the Waldorf or the Arch Street W designs where used here. Regarding the W itself and Philadelphia. Yes, a W would be a fine addition to the city, however we're not talking pawdunk here, like some of the classic negadelphians in this Forum imply. Philadelphia already has all of the major luxury brand hotels and some off brand top end ones. Even though a W is unique to the city, it has become a fairly common upper middle / lower top end offering and is growing like an ant colony, e.g., Hoboken, Austin, etc.. If they want to come, fine let Nutter roll out the red carpet, but the city really shouldn't subsidize them more than any other hotel. The convention center expansion alone, should support a new W. Now if this was a Waldorf - well that's a different story and a lot more exciting.

Yes I remember the Waldorf proposal... a W Hotel around the same height as the Waldorf proposal on this lot would be fantastic.

skyhigh07 · #**5106** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 11:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We Got Five

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.

Unless you think this recession will drag out another 10 years, I see no reason why a W Hotel couldn't be proposed for that spot.

Pennsgrant · #**5107** Posted: **Apr 21, 2012, 11:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryson662001

leaving it looking like it had been bombed. It is one of the worst eyesores in CC west. Now new steel has been put up and it looks like the façade is getting a much needed repair job. I can’t find any info to suggest it is any more than that. Maybe after 6 years L&I finally got after them.

I think Lenfest the younger is involved in that lot at 15th + Chestnut. Lenfest the older ha sgiven most of his fortune away to charity which is to be commended.

Boyd Theater. This is a fatal flaw in the city.

For 30 years the city has let the YMCA building on Chestnut decompose before our eyes. It is disgusting. It would have taken a city worker less than $500- out of the petty cash fund- to go to Home Depot buy some new plywood,paint,screws at least make the place presentable.

Today I was amazed at the weed/trash strewn lots at Broad + Washington and 19th + Walnut ( Castleway lot) Send a couple workers over Nutter, clean up the trash, cut the grass, weed wack, plants some trees and shrubs. Its friggin ridiculous man how lax ,uncaring, lack of common sense this city allows ..

Who the hell wants to look at that mess at Broad + Washington for last 20 years??

PhiLaw · #**5108** Posted: **Apr 22, 2012, 4:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryson662001

Early this morning (Saturday) a work crew showed up in front of the Boyd Theater at 19th and Chestnut (abandoned since 2006) and started doing …..something? Just before Clear Channel walked away from the project they started ripping off the portion of the façade that hangs over the sidewalk but stopped in the middle, leaving it looking like it had been bombed. It is one of the worst eyesores in CC west. Now new steel has been put up and it looks like the façade is getting a much needed repair job. I can’t find any info to suggest it is any more than that. Maybe after 6 years L&I finally got after them.

Yes and they're back this morning. They were doing something with the huge overhang connected to the front of the theatre. I also saw a few light bulbs in their van. They seem to be non-union, and a small crew. From this I'd infer that this is preliminary/prep work. Either way, could be the start of something.

Nightman · #**5109** Posted: **Apr 22, 2012, 5:13 PM**

With respect to the W. Does anyone remember if the original W location was listed on the W website? W brand has jumped the shark a bit but it would be a welcome addition. I would take a Kimpton any day over a W.

aro1419 · #**5110** Posted: **Apr 22, 2012, 8:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightman

With respect to the W. Does anyone remember if the original W location was listed on the W website? W brand has jumped the shark a bit but it would be a welcome addition. I would take a Kimpton any day over a W.

The original location was listed on their website and was removed some time ago. I personally do not prefer a Kimpton over a W since they are both similarly boutique-y, but fortunately for you, we are getting a Hotel Monaco fairly soon and hopefully in addition to a W!!!

sciguy0504 · #**5111** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 1:40 AM**

I do not consider the W to be a luxury brand. It's design and overall appeal can command higher ADRs in most markets and I believe Philly is one of them. The city has a growing reputation among the W target market (see Virgin America launching flights to PHL and the new Kimpton properties). As long as financing can be arranged (and the markets have opened up since the last W was proposed), I think this has a very good chance of happening. The location is great, too.

Nightman · #**5112** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 2:21 AM**

Where did the 1441 chestnut address come from? The website only states Philadelphia.

Jelly Roll · #**5113** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 3:03 AM**

I know everyone on here always talks about bringing jobs to Philly and the economy and the hurdles but I do have to say that it is possible to attract top level talent here. I participated in Philly Start Up Weekend the past few days and it was truly amazing the ideas and beta projects that were made in a 52 hour time frame.

With this week being Philly Tech week I would highly recommend everyone trying to make it out to some of the events. I think it might suprise some people just how much innovation is going on in this city.

Also for those that are looking for jobs or just to have a very unique experience I would definitely recommend going to a Start Up weekend. People on my team ended up getting a few job offers and it was a great place to network. It gives you an opportunity to meet successful entrepunuers, venture capitalists and angel investors. On top of that everyone is very open to talking and meeting new people.

Philadelcago · #**5114** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 11:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightman

Where did the 1441 chestnut address come from? The website only states Philadelphia.

It's on the 'Detail View' tab -- here's a new direct link for it:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/directory/new-hotels/all/detail.html?sortType=region

Wayne Junction · #**5115** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 12:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philadelcago

It's on the 'Detail View' tab -- here's a new direct link for it:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/directory/new-hotels/all/detail.html?sortType=region

If you click the Map and zoom in, they have a little red dot right next to the Ritz Carlton. Looks promising to me.

hammersklavier · #**5116** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 1:52 PM**

Right now this W talk is plain old speculation. Yes, more hotels would be cool, and yes, the city has been becoming more desirable for hoteliers, particularly at the higher end (Palomar, Le Meridien, Hotel Monaco, that Intercontinental brand coming to the Bailey Building), but I want to hear more--as in official presentations--first.

summersm343 · #**5117** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 3:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly Roll

I know everyone on here always talks about bringing jobs to Philly and the economy and the hurdles but I do have to say that it is possible to attract top level talent here. I participated in Philly Start Up Weekend the past few days and it was truly amazing the ideas and beta projects that were made in a 52 hour time frame.

With this week being Philly Tech week I would highly recommend everyone trying to make it out to some of the events. I think it might suprise some people just how much innovation is going on in this city.

Also for those that are looking for jobs or just to have a very unique experience I would definitely recommend going to a Start Up weekend. People on my team ended up getting a few job offers and it was a great place to network. It gives you an opportunity to meet successful entrepunuers, venture capitalists and angel investors. On top of that everyone is very open to talking and meeting new people.

Sounds very promising and interesting... maybe I will check it out.

Wayne Junction · #**5118** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 3:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

Right now this W talk is plain old speculation. Yes, more hotels would be cool, and yes, the city has been becoming more desirable for hoteliers, particularly at the higher end (Palomar, Le Meridien, Hotel Monaco, that Intercontinental brand coming to the Bailey Building), but I want to hear more--as in official presentations--first.

I prefer to think that the expanded Convention Center is impetus enough to get a few hotels going. We have a shortage of how many rooms? If we're going to make the Convention Center pay off, we have to offer enough rooms within walking distance or we'll be passed over for other venues. I appreciate your caution but the Convention and Visitors Bureau is assuredly working on stimulating new construction interest.

Nightman · #**5119** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 6:21 PM**

This is a good sign.

http://www.philly.com/philly/busines...tion_loan.html

McBane · #**5120** Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 6:39 PM**

^ I was just about to post that. What a sad story really. Anyone remember that amazing high rise proposal? It was quashed because neighbors preferred a windowless, life-sucking, "historic" box rather than a modern residential building. Idiots.