PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII

[PhiLaw]

Just ran by 800 Walnut today, and more steel is going up as we speak. No pictures, sorry.

[summersm343]

Pretty cool development at the corner of 2nd and Brown in Northern Liberties.

It was just approved by the ZBA.

What is there now


What is to be


Here is the link to the article
http://nakedphilly.com/northern-libe...brown-is-a-go/

[josef]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Pretty cool development at the corner of 2nd and Brown in Northern Liberties.

I can't believe they're finally doing something with that corner. I know there's other new residential developments on 2nd Street, I wonder what the vacancy rate is of those buildings.

Flying Kite has a piece today on recent north Broad Street developments:

Are pieces finally in place for north broad's renaissance?
ANDY SHARPE | TUESDAY, MAY 01, 2012

The stretch of North Broad St. between Temple University and Spring Garden St. already plays an incredibly vital role in the ecosystem of Philadelphia. It connects students at one of the region's most prolific universities with jobs, recreation, and shopping in Center City. It is also a gateway for residents of North Philly and the northern suburbs to Flyers playoff games and other sporting and entertainment events at the stadiums. In spite of this, some of the blocks between Susquehanna Ave. and Spring Garden St. slump, victims of the world-class potential they can't quite seem to grasp.

With this in mind, there are serious indications that this stretch of Broad St. is about to undergo a renaissance. The northern end is anchored by major development at Temple University and the rehabilitation of the former cultural icon, the Uptown Theater. The central section at Ridge Ave. may hold the most surprises, as there are ambitious, yet feasible plans for the Divine Lorraine Hotel. Finally, the southern end is in the midst of a development boom with new Stephen Starr and Marc Vetri restaurants, the redevelopment of a former car dealership, and the soon-to-be expansion of a synagogue.

http://www.flyingkitemedia.com/featu...Broad5112.aspx

[Jelly Roll]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Pretty cool development at the corner of 2nd and Brown in Northern Liberties.

It was just approved by the ZBA.

What is there now


What is to be


Here is the link to the article
http://nakedphilly.com/northern-libe...brown-is-a-go/

I like it. I wonder which unit does not get a parking spot though...

[acenturi]

Originally Posted by SkyscraperGuru

When I think of "top tier" cities in the United States, I think of

- Philadelphia (It is certainly one, but being a proud Philadelphian my bias makes it first)
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Boston
- Pittsburgh
- Chicago
- Seattle
- Portland
- Miami
- San Francisco
- Honolulu (small, but noteworthy for being a popular tourism center)
- Atlantic City
- Las Vegas

I do not think major cities like Detroit, Phenox or Dallas are important - Mostly residential cities that have less cultural importance, I think that they are cities that need help before they take a step into this kind of world. Dallas has an immense illegal immigration problem, the recent disasters, etc. Fine city, yes, but not ready for a hotel of this magnitude......

I think I've referenced this a "Few" times on here. This is the classification most favored by economists for ranking "World Cities":

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2010t.html

But of course, as stated earlier, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
You can observe, Philadelphia is classified as a (Top Tier) Alpha- City. Note all of the cities classified as Beta and Lower.

If anyone thinks that a "W" is going to move the city up to Alpha from Alpha- is, well, a bit naive. What I think it likely will do (as mentioned earlier in this thread by someone) is to entice top level leisure business development (restaurants/30 something retail, etc.) into the Chestnut/Broad Street corridor. it'll do little to increase the 10M annual tourist visitors to the city, like the Barnes (and Mormon Temple) should. I doubt tourists/conventions visit NYC or LA because they have a "W".

[Jelly Roll]

Originally Posted by acenturi

I think I've referenced this a "Few" times on here. This is the classification most favored by economists for ranking "World Cities":

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2010t.html

But of course, as stated earlier, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
You can observe, Philadelphia is classified as a (Top Tier) Alpha- City. Note all of the cities classified as Beta and Lower.

If anyone thinks that a "W" is going to move the city up to Alpha from Alpha- is, well, a bit naive. What I think it likely will do (as mentioned earlier in this thread by someone) is to entice top level leisure business development (restaurants/30 something retail, etc.) into the Chestnut/Broad Street corridor. it'll do little to increase the 10M annual tourist visitors to the city, like the Barnes (and Mormon Temple) should. I doubt tourists/conventions visit NYC or LA because they have a "W".

My mom only takes work in certain cities depending on which hotels she can stay at. I would not be suprised if hotels do impact the decision on where to have a convetion or where to vacation. Granted, one hotel is probably not going to be the tipping point but it does help by adding more options.

[UCityGardener]

Originally Posted by SkyscraperGuru

When I think of "top tier" cities in the United States, I think of

- Philadelphia (It is certainly one, but being a proud Philadelphian my bias makes it first)
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Boston
- Pittsburgh
- Chicago
- Seattle
- Portland
- Miami
- San Francisco
- Honolulu (small, but noteworthy for being a popular tourism center)
- Atlantic City
- Las Vegas

I do not think major cities like Detroit, Phenox or Dallas are important - Mostly residential cities that have less cultural importance, I think that they are cities that need help before they take a step into this kind of world. Dallas has an immense illegal immigration problem, the recent disasters, etc. Fine city, yes, but not ready for a hotel of this magnitude.

However, I think Philadelphia has long since needed this, I think Philadelphia is ready for it's time to become a worldwide famous city, I think when someone thinks of a big city (in america), they should think of New York, Chicago and Philadelphia. Philadelphia the past four years has made me so proud, i'm glad to be here.

I'd tend to agree that when considering cultural institutions Philly is really a top-notch, top-tier city. However, I'm not certain how to apply that to the original idea of hotel placement. And there is simply no way to logically exclude DC from that list.

In addition, there are some cities that have HUGE cultural significance from a historic perspective. New Orleans, St. Louis, and Memphis have culture rooted in their rich musical traditions and some of the most important uniquely American forms of music were born in those cities. From the perspective a a hotel however I would not rush to place one in any of those locations.

In pure terms of dollars and cents, geographic advantages etc I don't see how you could exclude Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, and possibly Charlotte.

I also can't see how AC would make this list in any way,shape, or form. With its tiny population - 39,558 as of the 2010 census - would it even qualify as a city or would it be considered a town? It draws mostly day-trippers from large population centers for a non-diversified economy based almost solely on tourism/gambling. It's primary source of income is being diluted and diminished by neighboring states who have legalized gambling, and while it has a large number of performance venues it generally draws few "A" list performers, largely because the venues tend to be smaller, and I don't think there are ANY museums there.

I love Pittsburgh, but I'd think that needs to drop from your list as well, and while I agree with the inclusion of Honolulu from a Hotelier's perspective, calling it a small city when it's population is 10 times as large as Atlantic City's and almost 100,000 larger than Pittsburgh seems a bit off.

I'm pleased as punch to see how well we ranked in the GAWC rankings!

[summersm343]

Took a boat load of construction pictures today all around the city... will upload them to their respective threads later tonight.

Also...Intermix, another high-end woman's retail store will be coming to Walnut Street.
http://philly.curbed.com/archives/20...-to-philly.php

[Swinefeld]

No bickering, please.

[SkyscraperGuru]

I was talking about the fact that Pittsburgh'a metropolitan area is 2,000,000 and Honolulu isn't even a million. More or less the metropolitan area is more relevant then urban populations in a hotel point of view.

Also, sorry about that, Swinefield - that's my last post on the matter.

[Pennsgrant]

Simply amazed at the progress happening all around Market East in places like No Liberty,Fishtown,Graduate Hospital,Univ City,Temple etc etc. Yet Market East/Convention Center - the most crucial location in the city which connects the historic area to The Parkway and Rittenhouse NEVER EVER sees a penny of investment. It is unbelievable.

A half dozen little projects like this on Market + Chestnut improves Philadelphias perception 100%.

[PhiLaw]

Not sure whether anybody saw this article on the rehab in the Loft District. I will be in the CJC for pro bono next week, and I'm anxious to see what this is all about.

http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-0...trades-council

[hammersklavier]

Relax--investment will come. All of these "peripheral" investments are doing something else--building up a livable, middle-class city, and expanding Market East's trade area's demographics exponentially.

[josef]

Originally Posted by PhiLaw

Not sure whether anybody saw this article on the rehab in the Loft District. I will be in the CJC for pro bono next week, and I'm anxious to see what this is all about.

http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-0...trades-council

I was sad to read this this morning, that building getting redone is great news for the area. I'm hoping they get stuff figured out without it getting even worse.

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

Relax--investment will come. All of these "peripheral" investments are doing something else--building up a livable, middle-class city, and expanding Market East's trade area's demographics exponentially.

Are we ever gonna get that Target with all the neon signs at 8th & Market?

[philly28]

i've been following this thread for years figure it was time i joined....
more development

http://www.landmarkaia.com/

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by philly28

i've been following this thread for years figure it was time i joined....
more development

http://www.landmarkaia.com/

Awesome first post. Thanks for all of this development info. I really like the 9 story tower on poplar and the 7 story tower on the waterfront.

Welcome to the forum!

[EastSideHBG]

The Barnes: A ravishing building, but cut off from the city

Inga Saffron
INQUIRER ARCHITECTURE CRITIC

The Barnes Foundation's feuds with its neighbors in suburban Merion are the stuff of Philadelphia legend. The renowned art institution spent two decades squabbling with residents of the adjacent mansions over visitation hours, parking, and other issues. The resulting lawsuits, combined with its own poor stewardship, left the Barnes' finances in ruins, and eventually led to the controversial decision to move its storied collection to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the city's museum row.

The Barnes gets off to a fresh start May 19 when it reopens in a new and larger home, designed by two of our most sensitive architects, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, and situated in a garden by one of the nation's top landscape architects, Philadelphia-based Laurie Olin. Through their efforts, the Barnes building comes as tantalizingly close to being a real work of art as anything Philadelphia has seen in decades.

But while there are many moments of breathtaking refinement, and the galleries themselves are a revelation, the result is sadly - no, tragically - a long way from being a successful addition to the city. The emotional wounds of those battle-scarred years have wormed their way deep into the Barnes psyche and severely compromised what could have been Philadelphia's best building since the PSFS tower.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/enterta...#ixzz1u0aSIISw
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

[Ninjawho]

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

The Barnes: A ravishing building, but cut off from the city

Inga Saffron
INQUIRER ARCHITECTURE CRITIC

The Barnes Foundation's feuds with its neighbors in suburban Merion are the stuff of Philadelphia legend. The renowned art institution spent two decades squabbling with residents of the adjacent mansions over visitation hours, parking, and other issues. The resulting lawsuits, combined with its own poor stewardship, left the Barnes' finances in ruins, and eventually led to the controversial decision to move its storied collection to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the city's museum row.

The Barnes gets off to a fresh start May 19 when it reopens in a new and larger home, designed by two of our most sensitive architects, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, and situated in a garden by one of the nation's top landscape architects, Philadelphia-based Laurie Olin. Through their efforts, the Barnes building comes as tantalizingly close to being a real work of art as anything Philadelphia has seen in decades.

But while there are many moments of breathtaking refinement, and the galleries themselves are a revelation, the result is sadly - no, tragically - a long way from being a successful addition to the city. The emotional wounds of those battle-scarred years have wormed their way deep into the Barnes psyche and severely compromised what could have been Philadelphia's best building since the PSFS tower.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/enterta...#ixzz1u0aSIISw
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

The parking lot is regrettable, especially since it sits across from Whole Food's, (and it's potential expansion). I think, though, that once that area maxs out it's density potential that will not matter as much. The building sits fine up against the Parkway and that is the more important connection IMHO.

[wally]

Sadly, Inga is spot on with this one.

Her critique about how it fits (or doesn't fit) into the city is exactly what I thought when I saw the first renderings and plans for the building.

Parking, parking, parking...this is the bane of well-functioning cities. Their mistake was to bring too much of the existing Barnes to the parkway.

I was actually lying in bed this morning thinking about how the Barnes could be improved. I'd love to see the L-shaped piece exploded with the long piece fitting into the corner of 20th and Pennsylvania/Callowhill and the short piece fitting into the corner of 20th and the parkway. Then, they could place a wonderful little arboretum between those buildings and connect them via underground passages (for when the weather is inclement). Put all parking underground and sink the loading docks as well.

Oh well...it is a great building on it's own at least. Unfortunately, buildings cannot be islands in a city (maybe with a few exceptions).

[SkyscraperGuru]

Anyone mind giving us some updates on Chestnut street? I would run by but i'm not entirely sure I can make it this weekend.