PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread II - Page 360

3rd&Brown · #**7181** Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 2:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

More big plans for the Bellwether District.

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower to build $450M cancer treatment plant in Philadelphia
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...isotopes-bellwether-district-cancer.html

TerraPower, a nuclear science company founded by Bill Gates, plans to establish a $450 million radioisotope manufacturing plant at the Bellwether District in South Philadelphia.

The project, announced Tuesday morning, is for the company's TerraPower Isotopes division focused on using nuclear medicine to treat cancer. Pennsylvania is investing $10 million to support the project, which is expected to create 225 full-time jobs over the next three years.

Neither the state nor the company disclosed when construction of the plant would begin.

TerraPower, based in Bellevue, Washington, will lease the 250,000-square-foot, build-to-suit facility. The plant will produce actinium-225, a rare radioisotope used in the development of cancer-fighting drugs.

Not for nothing, also looks like a well designed facility (i.e. not just a blank warehouse).

mcgrath618 · #**7182** Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 2:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

As I was typing my response I did a street view and forgot that there are already trolly tracks in the middle of Erie Avenue.

Criminal. S tier candidate for revival when we get the new light rail stock.

They've already begun ripping said tracks up around Broad and Germantown.

The 56 is a sad story. Always one of the better performing routes, but the fate of the remaining 3 North Philly trolleys (15, 23, 56) was sealed when Luzerne Depot was sold to a recycling company.

There was a large push for modernizing the 56 through the 1970s and 80s (including one proposal where it and the 53 trolley would enter a subway-surface tunnel to connect more directly with the Broad Street Subway), but all that materialized was the "Erie Avenue Transit Corridor" (or something akin to that name) where the trolley tracks were placed in a raised median with some very basic platforms at key stops.

BroadandMarket · #**7183** Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 2:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut

One less 🞵🞵🞵🞵 item for us is the First Bank gallery is set to open at the start of July.

The Declaration house is supposed to be reopening in time as well. But it's still a letdown that we'll have a closed City Tavern, vacant Philadelphia History Museum, closed Bookbinders, no Tun Tavern. What's the word on Dolly Ottey park? I was over there in January and saw no movement. It's wild Philly hasn't just copied Boston's Freedom Trail idea. It's so simplistic but perfect.

Radio5 · #**7184** Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 10:52 PM**

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...CjZoRMPPdhi-q_aem_Q-GzbVouCxTigUQFQ6gEYw

Really hope they dont keep it as storage, but based on their website, seems like that's all they do

Redddog · #**7185** Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio5

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...CjZoRMPPdhi-q_aem_Q-GzbVouCxTigUQFQ6gEYw

Really hope they dont keep it as storage, but based on their website, seems like that's all they do

Yeah, a real development would be a departure from their business model.

PHLtoNYC · #**7186** Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:45 PM**

Developer eyes 66-unit townhome project in far Northeast Philadelphia
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...elopment-far-northeast-philadelphia.html

A proposed 66-townhome community on nearly 4 acres off Bustleton Avenue could add more density to far Northeast Philadelphia.

Plans call for 11 four-story buildings with four to 10 units each at 12018-12030 Bustleton Ave, located a mile from the Bucks County border. The proposal is scheduled to go in front of the city's Civic Design Review Committee on April 7.

The project would rise on two parcels that currently include a one-story garage and a masonry structure that would be demolished. A two-story stone house that fronts Bustleton Avenue would be preserved as the community's entrance, according to documents filed with the city.

3rd&Brown · #**7187** Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Developer eyes 66-unit townhome project in far Northeast Philadelphia
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...elopment-far-northeast-philadelphia.html

A proposed 66-townhome community on nearly 4 acres off Bustleton Avenue could add more density to far Northeast Philadelphia.

Plans call for 11 four-story buildings with four to 10 units each at 12018-12030 Bustleton Ave, located a mile from the Bucks County border. The proposal is scheduled to go in front of the city's Civic Design Review Committee on April 7.

The project would rise on two parcels that currently include a one-story garage and a masonry structure that would be demolished. A two-story stone house that fronts Bustleton Avenue would be preserved as the community's entrance, according to documents filed with the city.

Would be nice to see product like this get built in the Northeast, as opposed to the builder grade Russian-inspired marble clad junk it normally gets. (Assuming it gets built as rendered). There's no reason why the Northeast and the more desireable pockets of the Northeast in particular (Holmesburg, Somerton, Rhawnhurst, Torresdale, Morrell Park) shouldn't see the same quality of product as say, Roxborough, which has gone very very upscale in the past 5-7 years.

BroadandMarket · #**7188** Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 2:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio5

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...CjZoRMPPdhi-q_aem_Q-GzbVouCxTigUQFQ6gEYw

Really hope they dont keep it as storage, but based on their website, seems like that's all they do

Bummer yeah this is staying storage forever. That being said it's not nearly as bad as the surface lot Cube storage next door, the empty lot at Callowhill or the stalled Durst tower. Once all of those develop then maybe we'd see some movement here.

Redddog · #**7189** Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 3:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

Bummer yeah this is staying storage forever. That being said it's not nearly as bad as the surface lot Cube storage next door, the empty lot at Callowhill or the stalled Durst tower. Once all of those develop then maybe we'd see some movement here.

Honestly, if they just made the ground floors of those buildings retail, I'd be happy. The buildings themselves are beautiful. And there is a TON of new residential capacity in that area.

Durst appears to be waiting for a better rate environment to restart that building on Del Ave. And that isn't gonna happen anytime soon with what the 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 is doing in DC.

ok-ez · #**7190** Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 4:51 PM**

Forman Arts Initiative has started work on 22xx N American St
https://www.intechconstruction.com/projects/forman-arts-initiative/
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/forman-arts-initiative-kensington-gallery-space-20240530.html

ok-ez · #**7191** Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 4:55 PM**

saw drill testing rigs at 949 N Front St, huge empty lot on the edge of Northern Liberties/Fishtown. Anyone know the plan?

3rd&Brown · #**7192** Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 6:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ok-ez

Forman Arts Initiative has started work on 22xx N American St
https://www.intechconstruction.com/projects/forman-arts-initiative/
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/forman-arts-initiative-kensington-gallery-space-20240530.html

This is going to be transformational.

I really wish one of those new handsome multi-family buildings on North American street was condominium. I would seriously consider buying a unit.

PHLtoNYC · #**7193** Posted **Mar 19, 2026, 1:33 PM**

I believe this is Extell's first purchase in the Philadelphia market? Extell is a huge developer in Manhattan.

This beautiful building would be make for a fabulous hotel (St. Regis caliber) at the doorstep of Independence Hall. Especially since the hotel proposal at 3rd & Walnut is dead.

Insurance giant Chubb sells historic Walnut Street office building to New York developer known for Central Park skyscrapers
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/com...alnut-street-historic-sale-20260318.html

The Zurich-based insurance giant Chubb has sold its historic former office building at 436 Walnut St. to New York-based Extell Development Company, according to four sources familiar with the transaction who are not authorized to speak with the press.

Extell, founded by prominent developer Gary Barnett, is known for building some of Manhattan’s newest and most exclusive residential skyscrapers like the 98-story Central Park Tower and the 75-story One57.

Although Barnett is known for remaking Manhattan’s skyline, a person familiar with his thinking said that he has not yet decided whether to keep the Walnut Street building as offices or turn it into apartments or a hotel.

BroadandMarket · #**7194** Posted **Mar 19, 2026, 2:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

I believe this is Extell's first purchase in the Philadelphia market? Extell is a huge developer in Manhattan.
[/I]

Any chance they want to demolish the non historic addition at the rear for a tower? It's zoned CMX-4 I think. Something tall enough to overlook Independence Hall would be incredible.

PHLtoNYC · #**7195** Posted **Mar 19, 2026, 3:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

Any chance they want to demolish the non historic addition at the rear for a tower? It's zoned CMX-4 I think. Something tall enough to overlook Independence Hall would be incredible.

The article doesn't mention any concepts, I think Extell will sit on the property for a while. Though this is the type of developer that I expect an A+ project, whether a retrofit or addition.

bdurk · #**7196** Posted **Mar 19, 2026, 3:59 PM**

I doubt that we would get anything too tall at that location but you never know. They have quite the portfolio and like PHLtoNYC said, this project will undoubtably be very nice. If you look at their portfolio (https://extell.com/portfolio) they have some very classy low-rise buildings in New York. It's exciting that they're getting their foot in the door in Philly, let's hope it goes well and maybe they'll build some skyscrapers someday

3rd&Brown · #**7197** Posted **Mar 19, 2026, 4:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdurk

I doubt that we would get anything too tall at that location but you never know. They have quite the portfolio and like PHLtoNYC said, this project will undoubtably be very nice. If you look at their portfolio (https://extell.com/portfolio) they have some very classy low-rise buildings in New York. It's exciting that they're getting their foot in the door in Philly, let's hope it goes well and maybe they'll build some skyscrapers someday

Frankly, I can only see them doing a tower. It's sorta their thing.

Having a companion for the St James across the square makes sense to me.

Redddog · #**7198** Posted **Mar 19, 2026, 5:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

Frankly, I can only see them doing a tower. It's sorta their thing.

Having a companion for the St James across the square makes sense to me.

A super nice hotel would kill there.

phishtown · #**7199** Posted **Mar 20, 2026, 2:00 PM**

Couple of updates:

- The flags are back on the parkway, looking super crisp and bright.

- Found this page on the Market street bridge construction around 30st station . Phase 1 is under construction now, which I think is just rehab, but later on they're adding a big bike lane to the Market Street bridge witch concrete barriers . Unfortunately it looks like the bike lane ends immediately at 30th street going west.

Redddog · #**7200** Posted **Mar 20, 2026, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by phishtown

Couple of updates:

- The flags are back on the parkway, looking super crisp and bright.

- Found this page on the Market street bridge construction around 30st station . Phase 1 is under construction now, which I think is just rehab, but later on they're adding a big bike lane to the Market Street bridge witch concrete barriers . Unfortunately it looks like the bike lane ends immediately at 30th street going west.

They better get on the horse with the 250th upgrades. We're essentially out of time.