PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII - Page 249

summersm343 · #**4961** Posted **Apr 9, 2012, 8:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiLaw

Just ran up TempleTown today. Wow, haven't been up there for a while and I was blown away by all the development (this was before Summerism's recent photos). I think Temple is transforming this neighborhood - hopefully some of the other area residents can take advantage of this as well.

Impressive, isn't it?

Check out some of NakedPhilly's current posts. A lot of development going on in Point Breeze, Francisville and Spring Arts (West Poplar). It's quite amazing really.

http://nakedphilly.com/

All we need is for some new highrises and the Reading Viaduct to start construction in Callowhill

summersm343 · #**4962** Posted **Apr 10, 2012, 3:23 AM**

Temple University News:

The new Science, Education and Research Highrise will start construction by the end of spring.

The new library on Broad is in the planning stages and could begin construction by the end of this summer.

summersm343 · #**4963** Posted **Apr 10, 2012, 10:43 PM**

New Onion Flats Renders...

Full article here:
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/item/36736-rivage-plans&Itemid=6

EastSideHBG · #**4964** Posted **Apr 10, 2012, 11:05 PM**

Posted: Tue, Apr. 10, 2012, 9:58 AM

Luxury condos on Washington Square dealt setback

By Robert Moran
Inquirer Staff Writer

A state appeals court delivered a substantial blow Monday to a developer's plan to build a luxury condominium tower on property now occupied by the historic Washington Square home of former Philadelphia Mayor Richardson Dilworth.

Commonwealth Court sided with opponents of the project by reversing part of a zoning decision that favored the developer, vacating part of the decision, and sending several matters back down for further local review.

The decision follows a ruling this year by the city Board of Licenses and Inspections Review that prevented John J. Turchi Jr. from demolishing part of the Neo-Colonial house. Turchi has appealed that ruling in Common Pleas Court.

Paul Boni, the attorney for the Society Hill Civic Association, one of the opponents of the high-rise, said that Monday's Commonwealth Court decision was "more deadly" to the project.

"I don't know if the developer redesigns the project, or just gives up, we hope," Boni said.

Neil Sklaroff, an attorney for Turchi, could not be reached for comment.

The 16-story development - 17 stories, if counting the two floors of the penthouse separately - would retain about half of the Dilworth house and configure what remained into a lobby, office space, and maybe some added condo uses.

A key selling point for the project, besides its location, is that it would be designed by the renowned architectural firm of Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates.

The Dilworth house was built in 1957 and is considered historically significant because of Dilworth's decision to locate in the neighborhood, helping to stimulate a revival of then-declining Society Hill.

The Philadelphia Historical Commission approved the demolition, but the Board of Licenses and Inspections Review twice rejected the proposal.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/ho..._Square_dealt_setback.html#ixzz1rgLOc53y

SkyscraperGuru · #**4965** Posted **Apr 11, 2012, 1:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

Posted: Tue, Apr. 10, 2012, 9:58 AM

Luxury condos on Washington Square dealt setback

By Robert Moran
Inquirer Staff Writer

A state appeals court delivered a substantial blow Monday to a developer's plan to build a luxury condominium tower on property now occupied by the historic Washington Square home of former Philadelphia Mayor Richardson Dilworth.

Commonwealth Court sided with opponents of the project by reversing part of a zoning decision that favored the developer, vacating part of the decision, and sending several matters back down for further local review.

The decision follows a ruling this year by the city Board of Licenses and Inspections Review that prevented John J. Turchi Jr. from demolishing part of the Neo-Colonial house. Turchi has appealed that ruling in Common Pleas Court.

Paul Boni, the attorney for the Society Hill Civic Association, one of the opponents of the high-rise, said that Monday's Commonwealth Court decision was "more deadly" to the project.

"I don't know if the developer redesigns the project, or just gives up, we hope," Boni said.

Neil Sklaroff, an attorney for Turchi, could not be reached for comment.

The 16-story development - 17 stories, if counting the two floors of the penthouse separately - would retain about half of the Dilworth house and configure what remained into a lobby, office space, and maybe some added condo uses.

A key selling point for the project, besides its location, is that it would be designed by the renowned architectural firm of Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates.

The Dilworth house was built in 1957 and is considered historically significant because of Dilworth's decision to locate in the neighborhood, helping to stimulate a revival of then-declining Society Hill.

The Philadelphia Historical Commission approved the demolition, but the Board of Licenses and Inspections Review twice rejected the proposal.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/ho..._Square_dealt_setback.html#ixzz1rgLOc53y

Hmm, 16 stories. That could be 200-300 feet, that'd be wonderful.

teeheee · #**4966** Posted **Apr 11, 2012, 1:43 AM**

Small update on the State Building renovation:

Quote:

Blatstein’s Broad St. project getting under way

BY VINNY VELLA
Philadelphia Daily News

Blatstein bought the building in July from the state for $21 million and spent the intervening period preparing for his two-phase construction project. Phase 1, which starts next week, will convert the former office building into 204 luxury apartments by the end of 2012.

Once that's done, Phase 2 calls for an 18-story tower with 200 additional apartments to be built next to the building along 15th Street. A 60,000-square foot retail space will also be completed during this phase as part of Blatstein's plans to revitalize the neighborhood.

Rest of article: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/201204...t_getting_under_way.html?cmpid=124488469

Also, how sick are the comments on philly.com getting? I know I shouldn't even bother to read them, but I can't help myself. It's like I'm addicted to seeing what the scum of the region are thinking.

summersm343 · #**4967** Posted **Apr 11, 2012, 3:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by teeheee

Small update on the State Building renovation:

Also, how sick are the comments on philly.com getting? I know I shouldn't even bother to read them, but I can't help myself. It's like I'm addicted to seeing what the scum of the region are thinking.

Nice! Happy this is finally getting underway! I walked by the building today and saw people there. I was wondering what they were up to.

I don't read the comments on Philly.com... a lot of people who post on there are whack jobs.

pwp · #**4968** Posted **Apr 11, 2012, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

I don't read the comments on Philly.com... a lot of people who post on there are whack jobs.

LOL.. so true.

summersm343 · #**4969** Posted **Apr 11, 2012, 3:37 PM**

Hey guys remember this?

Yeah well it' set to break ground Monday. Here is the link to the article

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...phia+%28Philadelphia+Business+Journal%29

tower · #**4970** Posted **Apr 11, 2012, 3:54 PM**

Only thing I like about that design is the stripper pole designed for people who are 90 feet tall

bryson662001 · #**4971** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 4:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Hey guys remember this?

Suddenly it's a contest. Who can design a building uglier then the Barnes.....
and we have a winner.

PhiLaw · #**4972** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 12:32 PM**

If this building was smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood they'd approve it in a flash. Only good looking buildings get the chopping block.

Bob The Builder · #**4973** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 3:16 PM**

Anyone know the status of the LDS Temple is? They broke ground, anything above ground yet?

summersm343 · #**4974** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 4:37 PM**

The greatest thing happened to me today! The Google street view car drove by me!

watch out for it driving throughout the city.

bryson662001 · #**4975** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 4:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

The greatest thing happened to me today! The Google street view car drove by me!

watch out for it driving throughout the city.

Did you get an autograph at least? LOL

summersm343 · #**4976** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 5:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryson662001

Did you get an autograph at least? LOL

I wish! They drove by so quickly... didn't even have a chance to take a picture with my cell phone and it was in my hand!

randomswathe · #**4977** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 6:18 PM**

Quote:

Blatstein wants to turn Inquirer-Daily News building into casino complex

BY DAN GERINGER
Philadelphia Daily News
Daily News Staff Writer

Developer Bart Blatstein's plans call for turning a large North Philadelphia block into a massive hotel-casino complex.

Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein stood on the roof of the former state office building at Broad and Spring Garden, looked down at the Daily News/Inquirer building he now owns at Broad and Callowhill streets, and announced plans to build a massive casino complex on the site while turning the iconic tower building into a hotel.

...

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/201204...y_News_building_into_casino_complex.html

riccardo426 · #**4978** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 7:22 PM**

I guess I need to see renders before determining whether Blatstein jumped the shark with this one. I definitely like the hotel idea, but my initial impression of the entire project is not favorable. Blatstein's commitment to North Broad is admirable, but I don't see how adding parking garages (one block from a BSL stop mind you) is going to help the walkability of a bit of a dead area.

I also forsee some push back from CCP, the Philly school district (HQ next door), Roman Catholic High, and soon the Pennsylvania ballet and Mormon Temple.

EDIT: I'll be willing to split the baby on this one. Bart, make the Inky a hotel, but then buy the Divine Lorraine. Make it your casino, and build a garage on the lot next to it. Everyone's happy.

volguus zildrohar · #**4979** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 8:30 PM**

NIMBY's will beat that thing to death with their bare hands. Too close to four high schools, CCP, Skid Row and common sense. At least the casino portion.

The boldness is not the problem though.

theWatusi · #**4980** Posted **Apr 12, 2012, 10:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

New Onion Flats Renders...

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.