I'm really glad they chose to integrate the existing buildings into the larger design. For all the talk about historical preservation in this city being non-existent, Lancaster Mews represents a large victory.

Wasn't really a choice by the developer -- the original intention was to completely demolish the row and replace with new construction, until the row was panic-nominated by the University City Historical Society after they found out about the plan by chance.

AFAIK there is/was some challenge to the nomination working its way through the courts so they could get around historical commission design review, but since this design went through CDR I guess they might just drop it...

40th Street Trolley Portal groundbreaking set for next week

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bji...ite-Plan.0.jpg

http://philly.curbed.com/2016/11/29/...dbreaking-date

4442 Ridge Ave - East Falls - apartments/retail - 5 floors
Approved by the CDR

http://planphilly.com/uploads/media_....752.469.s.png

St. Rita Place & Cascia Center - Broad and Ellsworth - senior housing/commercial - 5 floors
Approved by the CDR

http://planphilly.com/uploads/media_....752.429.s.png

4136 Mitchell St. - Manayunk - apartments/retail - 6 floors
Denied by the CDR. Will have to go back for a second meeting.

http://planphilly.com/uploads/media_....752.441.s.png

http://planphilly.com/articles/2016/...-design-review

i dont see what is so terrible about the roxborough project relative to whats being built all over the city these days.

I don't why it was denied but 72 units with 10 parking spots on a lot that can easily provide more parking might have had something to do with it.

they were very critical of the design and there was a lot of community opposition at the meeting apparently. It sounds like the CDR panel sensed the mood of the crowd and started to pile on the developer.

NoLibs' Destination Maternity site gets new tenant

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelp...en-nolibs.html

maybe time to disband the CDR, looks like they were complaining about balconies on the east falls project... barely a step above random complaints at rco meetings. and the head of the cdr had to recuse himself from by far the worst project on the agenda because he designed it lol!

Wawa's biggest Center City location to open at 19th and Market on Friday

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/r...ec-2-2016.html

FYI, small update, but the modular condo development in Graduate Hospital, Bloc23, has started getting put together like legos.

A rendering from their site to jog memories...
http://www.bloc23.com/wp-content/upl...44062889_o.jpg

Heavy equipment on site at Lincoln Square yesterday. Groundbreaking soon?

hopefully.

much better view while walking to work :)
before renovations:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640...921/1MREE6.png

currently:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640...923/BS1fiL.png

looking good. I can't wait to see what the rear portion looks like post renovation

Divine Lorraine is looking superb. Now 1300 Fairmount project just needs to get off of the ground, and this whole area will be completely transformed.

Wow, this cleaned up really good and the windows they installed works. Can't wait to see the finished product. Please keep the photos coming.:cheers:

RAL said 8 months until groundbreaking, I guess they still don't have financing lined up. At least they actually commented on the project which indicates it's still alive.

Sometimes, when traveling from Center City to Temple via the BSL, I will get off at Fairmount instead of Cecil B. Moore and walk to campus via North Broad just to take in how beautiful of a structure the Divine Lorraine is. The DL is the true beacon of the rebirth of Lower North Philadelphia. :cheers:

Divine Lorraine is absolutely stunning in person. The exterior changes over the past ~2 months or so are amazing.