1400 block of Chestnut will see rent increases soon enough...good. The space next to the current Eternity Fashion will be a bar or bar/restaurant. Maybe that tenant will take both retail spots and combine them. Right next to that, Wok Street has been closed for "renovations" for months. I doubt it's coming back.

Pencoyd Landing official site:
http://www.sikora-wa.com/pencoyd-landing/

Right across from Manayunk next to the O' Neill(?) project that went up a year or so ago....

Not to beat a dead horse or stir up an argument, but the lot they're building on at 43rd and Chestnut has been vacant for at least 13 years (when I moved to this neighborhood).

South Street in Philly is going in two different directions
Updated: APRIL 14, 2017 — 3:11 PM EDT
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pe...h-success.html


Inga hating on the new museum already ha ha

Museum of the American Revolution's building at odds with revolutionary content
Updated: APRIL 14, 2017 — 5:00 AM EDT
http://www.philly.com/philly/columni...a-saffron.html

Of course she is. She hates everything. Didn't she hate the Mormon Temple?

No. She doesn't like the meetinghouse.

I wish they'd consider making part of South St a pedestrian-only street. It'd be a great candidate for a proposal like that.

It's probably about time that the grungy stores left there consider finding a new home. Under the El in East Kensington or Germantown Ave in W Kensington would be great spots for a new "South St" type destination.

Looks like they've started work on this development - I walked by yesterday and there had been some excavation on the vacant section. Didn't snag any pics.

The estimated delivery date is around February 2018. Very high end. Smallest unit about 2800 square feet. 1-2 units per floor. A few have sold already in pre-sales. This should be a great building for residents. Not a big stamp on the architecture of the block but it will have retail and add a bit of height. Overall, this block is seeing a resurgence. We've got this, the townhomes across the street, the Ostroff property at 22nd street -- which will have groundfloor retail -- and the restaurant across the street from this one going in next to the townhomes. Owned by the Marigold kitchen guys. Also, the PMC building at the corner of Walnut and 21st is looking for a new retail tenant.

I agree and think about that often, some days it is a real pain to drive down and the sidewalks swell with people so why not? Have some regular events/open air markets/whatever and it would be a hit.

Eh I don't know, would hate to see it lose some of its "flair". What would the alternatives be then, more high end stuff that many people can't (or don't want to) afford? There are many areas in the city for that now, would like to see South St. keep a bit of its edginess.

I've never had much objection to the South Street stores. While there are some cheap, crappy chains, there are a lot of independent stores of all price points that are eclectic and have interest and flare. In addition to the restaurant and bar venues. When I walk South Street, I don't feel it has the 'icky' vibe that some of the blocks on East Market or East Chestnut have or had.I think there is still room for stores of different types and price points on South Street.

Oddly enough, the newer building, Abbot Square has been neglected, seems to be the most blighted but things should turn around after the renovation. That will be a majot factor, or it should be.

At the moment I don't have the ability to recover the information regarding the history of the Hale Building entrance. However, sometime during the 20th century, the entrance was given a contemporary makeover. That process destroyed the original entrance and concealed a section above the entrance.

While it is possible to restore original base facade, I recall the articles indicated that facade was not conducive to modern usage/remarketing demands. Perhaps some new generation will demolish the prospective 21st century entrance and restore the original, when appropriate.

Meanwhile. I am beyond pleased this building is being saved and reinvented.

Here's an article that includes photos of the Hales entrance down through the years, some ok, some terrible. But you can see why it would be difficult to go back to day one.
http://www.phillymag.com/property/20...y/#gallery-2-1

Royal Theater (South Street, between 15th and 16th)
 

Has anyone noticed that they started demolition and digging at the Royal Theater site, South Street between 15th and 16th? I assume they will build something in front to hold up the facade while they demolish the rest. Anyway, I am happy to see this under way, even though it isn't as great a project as it could have been...

They are doing some kind of renovation to the little lowrise retail strip next to Collins Park that houses the GNC and a few other stores. Off of 17th and Chestnut. At the least, a facade renovation. Not sure what else they may be doing. Haven't heard any noise.

Parking under the Ben Franklin bridge
 

Hey does anyone know anything about the to-be parking lot under the Ben Franklin? Anybody know when they'll begin work or finish up?

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...395439811.html

Kind of a bummer. I wish they would have opened it up to outdoor vendors for cheap - create our own edition of the Camden (flea) Market. It would be an awesome unique, urban way to activate that space and bridge the north/south gap.

With these two proud agencies hard at work, always watching out for the public good and their private paydays, I'd say the opening could be any day now, like maybe next year. These two clown colleges are almost enough to make me believe in private enterprise.

Hmmm. Well, it would be a nice use to activate the area. However, Camden High Market might not be the best comparison considering the High Street component and the canal with readapted building infrastructure incorporated into the flow. That kind of retail space doesn't exist near the BF Bridge.