PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII

[EastSideHBG]

Originally Posted by volguus zildrohar

BNY (Bank of New York) Mellon.

Oh yeah, I know, and I said that in my post above. What I meant was you said "...to reflect the name of the former bank that inhabited it..." and I was wondering what you meant by that, as that is the current bank's name.

[volguus zildrohar]

I confused myself.

[EastSideHBG]

Originally Posted by volguus zildrohar

I confused myself.

LOL no prob, my friend!

[sayitaintso]

Some big news coming soon on this project! It looks to be a very big project. Bodes well for the most historic sq mile in America.

[sayitaintso]

In terms of just the building

How much money should be put into the project to make it acceptable for that location

The reason I'm asking is that I have heard rumors on how much they are planning to spending on the new museum building and I'd like to hear what everybody thinks is a respectable number.

[banned]

The old plan for valley forge was $150million+

[sayitaintso]

Yeah but that included a hotel and convention center. So take those 2 away and what dollar amount makes this something to be proud of? 25-30 million?

[bucks native]

Originally Posted by sayitaintso

In terms of just the building

How much money should be put into the project to make it acceptable for that location

The reason I'm asking is that I have heard rumors on how much they are planning to spending on the new museum building and I'd like to hear what everybody thinks is a respectable number.

I believe that we can take design-related comfort in the fact that the Lenfests are involved. They are backing ($$$) some of the most exciting projects in town, including: Curtis, PAFA's Cherry Street project, and the library expansion. An extrordinarily generous couple, who love Philadelphia.

[bucks native]

render credit: Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle

from Philadelphia's Design Advocacy Group:

Drexel University invited members of the DAG Steering Committee, along with neighbors, other members of the public, and the original building owner, to a presentation on March 19 of the proposed renovation to the Venturi Scott Brown and Associates’ ISI Building at 34th and Market Streets. This building is now owned by Drexel and will be renovated to house the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. The renovation architects are Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle, who recently completed an award winning renovation at the Naval Yard for the Urban Outfitters corporate headquarters.

The interior of the building will be greatly changed to accommodate the architecture, interior design, and other studios, and these changes received few comments from the audience. Exterior changes, however, were the focus of the discussion and drew many critical comments. The image (above), included in the invitation, shows a previous version of the proposed changes to the Market Street and east facades. The architects have modified these changes, based on discussions with Venturi and Scott Brown, but have not eliminated them.

Read DAG’s letter containing comments on the proposed design here: http://www.designadvocacy.org/docs/D...ter-032910.pdf Drexel Vice President of Facilities Dr. Robert Francis is to be congratulated for recognizing that this building has great importance to many outside the Drexel community and for inviting the public to engage in an informed, open, and intelligent discussion about this project. This is an excellent example of an owner’s attempt to raise the quality of discussion about design in Philadelphia.

The above, in my opinion, is representative of a promising trend at the schools in Philadelphia: They're becoming GOOD neighbors. An exception to date, again in my opinion, is Jefferson. But I do hope that, with respect to JEFF, I'm mistaken. There's currently work underway there and the only concession that I can see, to its street or neighborhood, is ground-floor retail. Its new, green commons is another plus for the neighborhood. Hope to see more, including a busy, pedestrian presence on Market.

[Aaamazarite]

Originally Posted by bucks native

The above, in my opinion, is representative of a promising trend at the schools in Philadelphia: They're becoming GOOD neighbors. An exception to date, again in my opinion, is Jefferson. But I do hope that, with respect to JEFF, I'm mistaken. There's currently work underway there and the only concession that I can see, to its street or neighborhood, is ground-floor retail. Its new, green commons is another plus for the neighborhood. Hope to see more, including a busy, pedestrian presence on Market.

Jeff is a relatively good neighbor... As you stated, they are responsible for a LOT of the retail/food places in wash west and that green commons has been looking like rittenhouse these past few days.

They supposedly own almost the entire depressing 1000 block of chestnut... their last acquisition before the psycho-recession was the old Society Hill Furniture building, which I believe they had big plans for... hopefully something will pan out on that block... it's such a wasteland right now.

They've also been working on that building whose rear faces the 900 block of Locust... they removed the wall sculpture that I used to call the Pigeon Poop Memorial and it looks like they are testing some new exterior paint colors.

According to a Wash West Civic Assn mtg I went to last summer, they plan to build 2 more buildings in the block bounded by chestnut, 9th, 10th, and sansom after the completion of their new building at 9th and walnut.

The real question is... how long before Wash West becomes known as Jeff City, Jefferland, or Jeffersonia (which is what Thomas Jefferson wanted to name a state)?

[sayitaintso]

Originally Posted by bucks native

I believe that we can take design-related comfort in the fact that the Lenfests are involved. They are backing ($$$) some of the most exciting projects in town, including: Curtis, PAFA's Cherry Street project, and the library expansion. An extrordinarily generous couple, who love Philadelphia.

The reason i'm asking is because i have the definitive number. There will not be a hotel or convention center(obviously). Before I reveal the amount I want to see what people's expectations are. My friend is in the project and personally knows Dr Cole.

[Parkway]

Where exactly is the ISI building? I'm having touble picureing which building that is. However it's good to see that Drexel is serious about continuing their investment in the area.

[Muji]

The ISI building is mid-block on Market St. between 34th and 36th

[phillyaggie]

Originally Posted by sayitaintso

The reason i'm asking is because i have the definitive number. There will not be a hotel or convention center(obviously). Before I reveal the amount I want to see what people's expectations are. My friend is in the project and personally knows Dr Cole.

The nearly complete and nearby located American Museum of Jewish History cost about $65 million, and it looks grand for it size and location.

At 3rd and Chestnut, at least $50 million for this new museum. Does that sound about right? Too low? Too high?

With the land swap, I imagine they will likely get some more cash from the NPS because their 78 acres at Valley Forge would likely be worth more than the 3/4th acre lot at 3rd and Chestnut. With the extra cash, they can certainly afford to use top notch materials and spend money on a quality design from a good institutional architect.

Somehow, in order to blend in with all the buildings in that area, I think they'll end up with a red brick building. If it looks anything similar to the Jewism museum, I think I'd be happy, especially with some extensive use of glass.

[bucks native]

I neglected to note (above) that the Lenfests are also involved in this effort:



source: ssunitedstatesconservancy.org

March 28, 2010 – Dan Trachtenberg, Chairman of the SS United States Foundation, recently announced the organization would cease operations “in order to present the most unified, concise vision possible regarding the future of our beloved vessel…” The Foundation website will now direct visitors to the SS United States Conservancy site and will encourage its membership to support Conservancy efforts on behalf of the ship.

“This is a time for unity,” said Conservancy Board President Susan Gibbs. “There is much hard work to be done.”


A restored ship would make for ONE classy casino/hotel. With so many states now jumping into the casino business, what's left to draw visitors to one casino over another? This ship would do it!!!!

[hammersklavier]

If Venturi says it's okay to mess with his facade, then I guess it's okay to mess with his facade. That's what the Drexel article seems to be alluding to.

Those projects the Lenfests are backing are all awesome!

@sayitaintso: Quit being coy and tell us the number!
P.S. if it's a new building it'll be around $45 mil, I think; if it's a renovation of the existing structure, it'll be much lower--around $15 mil, for a first-class museum facility.

[sayitaintso]

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

If Venturi says it's okay to mess with his facade, then I guess it's okay to mess with his facade. That's what the Drexel article seems to be alluding to.

Those projects the Lenfests are backing are all awesome!

@sayitaintso: Quit being coy and tell us the number!
P.S. if it's a new building it'll be around $45 mil, I think; if it's a renovation of the existing structure, it'll be much lower--around $15 mil, for a first-class museum facility.

Ok Ok..New Building....$100,000,000...! That amount of coin should get something worthwhile on the site ...eh !)

[bucks native]

source: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_...op_school.html

Apr. 5, 2010

Penn neighborhood blooms around a top school

By Stephen Seplow
For The Inquirer

The Penn Alexander School in University City: The Philadelphia School District and the University of Pennsylvania came together almost a decade ago to build the ultramodern K-8 school at 42d and Spruce Streets.

The school, with math and reading rankings well above the state average, has helped make the Spruce Hill community one of the most sought-after in the city, bringing rapid change in a neighborhood that was seen as gasping for air 15 years ago.

Housing prices are up, crime is down, and amenities such as Clark Park and the popular neighborhood swimming pool have been upgraded. And there are a lot more children.

Melani Lamond, a longtime real estate agent in the neighborhood, remembers those outside the catchment being "worried that their neighborhoods would be destroyed. Everyone would want to move in the catchment area and that's all." That, in fact, has not happened.

Penn contributes $1,300 in extra funding per student each year, which helps give kids what they can't get in most other schools: art, music, dedicated science facilities, and more. Fewer families are fleeing when their children reach school age, and more middle-class families are buying or renting homes that landlords once rented to college students. Now a house in the catchment area will cost about $100,000 more than the same house across the line.

In the fall Milk & Honey, the first gourmet grocery in the area, opened on Baltimore Avenue between 44th and 45th Streets.

Across the street from Milk & Honey is the impossibly cramped Bindlestiff Books in 2005.

The Parent-Infant center is in the midst of a $1.5 million expansion partially funded by Penn. The center serves 240 children in two groups - infants to preschoolers and those up to sixth grade who come after school, and the expansion will add 50 spots. Roberts said the waiting list for infants can reach 18 months and many are registered before they are born. "Lots of kids on our waiting list have the first name of 'Baby,' " she said.

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by bucks native

source: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_...op_school.html

Apr. 5, 2010

Penn neighborhood blooms around a top school

By Stephen Seplow
For The Inquirer

The Penn Alexander School in University City: The Philadelphia School District and the University of Pennsylvania came together almost a decade ago to build the ultramodern K-8 school at 42d and Spruce Streets.

The school, with math and reading rankings well above the state average, has helped make the Spruce Hill community one of the most sought-after in the city, bringing rapid change in a neighborhood that was seen as gasping for air 15 years ago.

Housing prices are up, crime is down, and amenities such as Clark Park and the popular neighborhood swimming pool have been upgraded. And there are a lot more children.

Melani Lamond, a longtime real estate agent in the neighborhood, remembers those outside the catchment being "worried that their neighborhoods would be destroyed. Everyone would want to move in the catchment area and that's all." That, in fact, has not happened.

Penn contributes $1,300 in extra funding per student each year, which helps give kids what they can't get in most other schools: art, music, dedicated science facilities, and more. Fewer families are fleeing when their children reach school age, and more middle-class families are buying or renting homes that landlords once rented to college students. Now a house in the catchment area will cost about $100,000 more than the same house across the line.

In the fall Milk & Honey, the first gourmet grocery in the area, opened on Baltimore Avenue between 44th and 45th Streets.

Across the street from Milk & Honey is the impossibly cramped Bindlestiff Books in 2005.

The Parent-Infant center is in the midst of a $1.5 million expansion partially funded by Penn. The center serves 240 children in two groups - infants to preschoolers and those up to sixth grade who come after school, and the expansion will add 50 spots. Roberts said the waiting list for infants can reach 18 months and many are registered before they are born. "Lots of kids on our waiting list have the first name of 'Baby,' " she said.

What a picture of what adequate funding can do!

Too bad urban school districts are too underinvested-in. I agree with the Cos: if you want to spend less on incarceration, you'd better spend more on education. Education is, after all, our FUTURE.

[pwp]

Steve Wynn outlines plans for Foxwoods CasinoBy Jennifer Lin

Inquirer Staff Writer

Casino mogul Steve Wynn on Monday declared that his plans for a South Philadelphia casino would be "Wynn top to bottom," carrying both his name and signature design.

After meeting for an hour and fifteen minutes with Mayor Nutter at City Hall Monday night, Wynn said in an interview with The Inquirer: "We only have one brand. We don't have a down-market brand. It's our place."

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/ho...ds_Casino.html

It sounds that Nutter stressed to him that this casino needs to be incorporated within the Delaware Riverfront plan.