PHILADELPHIA | The Development Thread VIII - Page 492

jn00 · #**9821** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 1:55 PM**

Walked past today and there is a new sign up for Clemens Construction Company. Hopefully this is finally getting started? Such a blight on the street, although w/ a parking lot, the closed Utrecht, and the shuttered PHA redevelopment, the block has quite a way to go.

http://blog.philadelphiarealestate.com/2021-chestnut-breaking-ground-soon/

Aaamazarite · #**9822** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConstructStudent

I'm not sure if anyone posted about this but I have been hearing things about Toll Brothers is looking to build a 26 story high rise at 500 Walnut

good luck to 'em.. all the previous owners/managers of the Penn Mutual towers next door have successfully killed every proposal for that location.

They just got a new manager in March (Stockton Real Estate Investors) who intends to re-furbish the place for an eventual sale. This is probably the best time for Toll Bros to sneak in and get all the approvals and begin construction while the Penn Mutual Towers guys are distracted.

Pennsgrant · #**9823** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 3:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaamazarite

good luck to 'em.. all the previous owners/managers of the Penn Mutual towers next door have successfully killed every proposal for that location.

Assuming the rumor that Toll Bros wants to build a 26 story tower is true why would they choose a lot that has the most resistance? Market,Chestnut,Walnut have open lots that they could build without variances and nimby troubles.

PhiLaw · #**9824** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 3:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pennsgrant

Assuming the rumor that Toll Bros wants to build a 26 story tower is true why would they choose a lot that has the most resistance? Market,Chestnut,Walnut have open lots that they could build without variances and nimby troubles.

500 Walnut? From my memory, the only empty lot is a parklet circumscribed by an old brick gate. This is Washington Square/Independence Park area, I'm not sure if they will build anything here. Why not around 8th and walnut/chestnut where empty lots abound?

Plokoon11 · #**9825** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 4:12 PM**

Would a 26 building make a good impact at that location?

Kidphilly · #**9826** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 4:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plokoon11

Would a 26 building make a good impact at that location?

Would mostly just blend in

On location, the other suggestions would not have the cache - this sits right on the mall and in Society Hill - would get a higher price point

here is the lot I believe

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=500+Walnu...EPdkeQ8LsWuPjRUqg&cbp=12,257.28,,0,-7.31

Also seeing as the current Penn Mutual tower is 22 stories - this would be about as tall and would basically be in the background of any images of Independance mall that are shown anywhere - a pretty nice address so to speak

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Philadelp...000002,,0,-8.7604757&photoid=po-71775296

Pennsgrant · #**9827** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 4:24 PM**

Boyd/ Movie Theater.

The addition of a movie theater in Center City is much needed but Without knowing the details or interior condition of the Boyd I'm still inclined to say no to a demolishing of this old theater. I

http://planphilly.com/articles/2013/11/1...s-only-hope-for-boyd-is-8-screen-complex

ConstructStudent · #**9828** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 4:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pennsgrant

Assuming the rumor that Toll Bros wants to build a 26 story tower is true why would they choose a lot that has the most resistance? Market,Chestnut,Walnut have open lots that they could build without variances and nimby troubles.

Not really sure why they chose there but just thought I would chime in and let you guys know what I heard/saw.

bucks native · #**9829** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 5:12 PM**

Biotech company Enzium is first company to open HQ at USciences

source: http://technical.ly/philly/2013/11/11/usciences-enzium/

Enzium came to University of the Sciences in part because Enzium cofounder Peter Berget is now the chair of the biology department at the college. Berget, who joined University of the Sciences in August of 2011, developed the technology behind Enzium while he was a professor at Carnegie Mellon.

tsarstruck · #**9830** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 5:22 PM**

Looks like the zoning variance for 500 Walnut was originally granted by the ZBA, overturned by the Court of Common Pleas, and then overturned again and approved by the Commonwealth Court in April 2012? And then the permit was re-issued in April 2013. And... what the heck is the deal with "art museum on first three floors"?

PERMIT FOR THE RELOCATION OF LOT LINES TO CREATE ONE LOT FROM TWO LOTS; FOR THE RECONFIGURATION OF THE BUILDING LAYOUT OF A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED 14 STORY BUILDING INCLUDING THE CELLAR FLOORS; AND FOR THE ERECTION OF ADDITIONAL FLOORS 15 THRU 26 INCLUDING A PENTHOUSE ABOVE, FOR USE AS FOLLOWS: CELLAR FLOORS; ACCESSORY UNDERGROUND PRIVATE PARKING GARAGE WITH A TOTAL OF SEVENTY SPACES INCLUDING SIX COMPACT SPACES, TWO HANDICAPPED SPACES, ON VAN ACCESSIBLE SPACE, AND FOUR RESERVOIR SPACES LOCATED COMPLETELY BELOW GRADE; FLOORS 1 THRU 3; FOR USE AS AN ART MUSEUM INCLUDING RETAIL SALES OF SAME LOBBY AREA LOADING DOCK AREA AND TRASH STORAGE AREA; FLOORS 4 THRU 26; FOR EIGHTY-FOUR DWELLING UNITS, AN ACCESSORY SWIMMING POOL, AND A PENTHOUSE ABOVE THE 26TH FLOOR FOR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT.

Nightman · #**9831** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 5:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConstructStudent

I'm not sure if anyone posted about this but I have been hearing things about Toll Brothers is looking to build a 26 story high rise at 500 Walnut

Call me crazy but Toll Brothers and vertical construction don't mix well. Not buying this one.

bucks native · #**9832** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 5:44 PM**

source: http://nakedphilly.com/university-city/s...ear-30th-street-station-is-taking-shape/

Last year, Drexel President John Fry announced plans for the school and Amtrak to together develop a multi-million dollar feasibility study that looked into the possibility of developing the railyards around 30th Street Station.

This year, they’re moving ahead and recently issued an RFP for a master plan to redevelop the area immediately surrounding 30th Street Station.

Bids are due by November 18th, and a public process could begin by next year.

Since the study was announced last year, eight new civic partners have joined the development team, which already included Brandywine Realty Trust and Septa. The new partners are the City, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, University City District, Penn, PennDot, CSX, and Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.

The endeavor will accommodate future Amtrak, NJ Transit and SEPTA ridership growth and evaluate all aspects of the passenger experience at 30th Street Station.

bucks native · #**9833** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 6:14 PM**

source: http://hiddencityphila.org/2013/05/histo...ers-new-views-along-north-philly-tracks/

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has recently added Amtrak’s 7-mile North Philadelphia Corridor to its list of the next generation of civic landscapes that it will seek to beautify in the coming decade-and-a-half.

bucks native · #**9834** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 6:28 PM**

source: http://phillystylemag.com/living/articles/lotman-family-prince-music-theater-revival

Philadelphia’s smaller performance spaces venues are essential to keeping the city’s cultural fabric intact, rounding off the theatrical spectrum and offering alternatives to audiences. And one of the most treasured is the Prince Music Theater.

1412 Chestnut Street Corp. is now leading the charge in restoring the Prince to its former glory. Its two performance spaces are going to “present programming that’s meant to strive to include everyone and bring new audiences to the arts. To be able to see theater, comedy, cabaret, rock, opera, and film in one space is the Prince’s goal, to be a performing arts center for everyone.”

About 200 nights of the 2013-14 season are already filled, and they run the gamut.

“Our cabaret series sold out in days, and tickets for all our upcoming shows are selling better than we ever hoped.”

theSisko · #**9835** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 7:21 PM**

Breaking news from Philly.Com that Steve Wynn has withdrawn his plans for Wynn Philadelphia......we hardly knew ya.

Question: Does this put Market8 in the driver's seat?

Londonee · #**9836** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 7:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightman

Call me crazy but Toll Brothers and vertical construction don't mix well. Not buying this one.

Have you seen some of their Manhattan properties? They are all highrises.

From Toll's website, a rendering of 400 S. Park Avenue:

tsarstruck · #**9837** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 7:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theSisko

Breaking news from Philly.Com that Steve Wynn has withdrawn his plans for Wynn Philadelphia......we hardly knew ya.

Question: Does this put Market8 in the driver's seat?

Came here to say the same thing. Shocking, and probably not fantastic for the health of any of the casino options.

I don't think it puts Market8 over Providence, but it seems likely to be one or the other.

Parkway · #**9838** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 8:35 PM**

We all know that Toll isn't fond of retail so call me crazy but given that this location makes a lot of sense. The rest of the block is all commercial properties and it is directly across the street from the park. It may not help the lack of retail but on a lot that size it may not make things much worse either.

christof · #**9839** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 10:01 PM**

Wynn's casino plan is DEAD.

PhiLaw · #**9840** Posted **Nov 11, 2013, 10:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by christof

Wynn's casino plan is DEAD.

And that is a damn shame, imo.