PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[allovertown]

Originally Posted by Kidphilly

yes negative and misses some positives

But to me the convention attendance is an issue (even tourist drops though can more influenced by special events i.e. the art museum etc.)

Union and labor costs make the convention center less attractive and thus less hotel rooms etc. May impact all the proposals if believed the market cant bare it

Also - jobs and more of them are needed - plain and simple

Center City Philadelphia is certainly not without problems, but if you look at the history of the area and the current trends how could someone actually publish an article with this take away?

Sure Philly still has a bad job market compared to the rest of the country. But it was even worse 5 years ago. Even looking at the job market, how can you be anything but optimistic? After decades of sharp decline, jobs have been growing in Philadelphia for a few years now.

The convention center is an unmitigated disaster, but even then isn't the take away that the convention center is in trouble? Can you really then make the leap that Center City as a whole is in trouble? Despite the fact that basically every other single indicator shows that the outlook for center city is brighter than it's been in a century!

So again, I have no problem with addressing real problems and striving to be better. Center City is a million times better than it was 30 years ago, but being better than 1980s Center City is a low bar to hurdle and nothing to strive for. Nit pick away, point out every negative, I want to strive to compete with the best cities in the world, but put it in perspective!

To put on the front page of philly.com and the inquirer this title: "State of Center City: Signs of Distress" well if it is not a bold faced lie, it is the most unrelentingly negative spin someone could cook up.

[Kidphilly]

Originally Posted by allovertown

Center City Philadelphia is certainly not without problems, but if you look at the history of the area and the current trends how could someone actually publish an article with this take away?

Sure Philly still has a bad job market compared to the rest of the country. But it was even worse 5 years ago. Even looking at the job market, how can you be anything but optimistic? After decades of sharp decline, jobs have been growing in Philadelphia for a few years now.

The convention center is an unmitigated disaster, but even then isn't the take away that the convention center is in trouble? Can you really then make the leap that Center City as a whole is in trouble? Despite the fact that basically every other single indicator shows that the outlook for center city is brighter than it's been in a century!

So again, I have no problem with addressing real problems and striving to be better. Center City is a million times better than it was 30 years ago, but being better than 1980s Center City is a low bar to hurdle and nothing to strive for. Nit pick away, point out every negative, I want to strive to compete with the best cities in the world, but put it in perspective!

To put on the front page of philly.com and the inquirer this title: "State of Center City: Signs of Distress" well if it is not a bold faced lie, it is the most unrelentingly negative spin someone could cook up.

I agree it was sensational. And I am big CC advocate and optimist. That said there are still tough issue that need to be addressed. Indicators are good but there are many areas that I still want more from so-to-speak

blatant cheer-leading while dismissing remaining larger issues are just as bad IMHO

and this from someone who is bullish on CC philly

[bawdycav]

I agree - and we see this negadelphian attitude way too much by the media. earlier this month an NBC10 writer wrote how he city's homicides were trending up and linking it to the claim that Philadelphia is the new heroin capital of the US. As of today homicides are lower than they were last year, a year in which was the lowest homicide total in 50+ years. when I looked up the writer's bio, I discovered he was born and raised in Philadelphia. It's not right that this negadelphian attitude is perpetuated despite the evidence against being negative.

All we can do is continue to write these writers/editors and alert them to teir flawed biases. Evidence is evidence. When homicdes are lower than they have been in 50+ years, you cannot then write an article claiming the trend is up and writing sensational "heroin capital of the US" headlines.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by Kidphilly

I agree it was sensational. And I am big CC advocate and optimist. That said there are still tough issue that need to be addressed. Indicators are good but there are many areas that I still want more from so-to-speak

blatant cheer-leading while dismissing remaining larger issues are just as bad IMHO

and this from someone who is bullish on CC philly

I think we're all with you, but this wasn't an editorial column. A journalist's duty is to report all sides of a story--not just the one which will land them the most clicks and conversation.

The reality is everyone knows the city's current shortcomings--pointing them out is like pointing at Justin Bieber and thinking you're making some observant point when you exclaim, "D-Bag!"

[summersm343]

Another article about S3 Group opening an office in Center City

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...company-sets-up-philadelphia-office.html

[summersm343]

Another new office building for the "Navy Yard Commerce Center"

The building will house Ecosave, an Australian company opening up office space in the city. Clinigen, based in the UK, will also open up space in the building.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...reak-ground-on-new-building-at-navy.html

[MusicMan84]

Penn Presbyterian Pavilion

by Music_Man84, on Flickr

by Music_Man84, on Flickr

[iheartphilly]

Preit confirms century 21 dept store coming to the gallery. Does anyone know if this will cause major exterior renovations to the gallery?

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Preit confirms century 21 dept store coming to the gallery. Does anyone know if this will cause major exterior renovations to the gallery?

Doesn't really answer your question, but have you seen this?

The announcement was followed an hour or so later by a message from Bob Hall, publisher of Interstate General Media - owner of The Inquirer, the Daily News, and Philly.com - to employees that renovations on behalf of the Gallery's redevelopment would involve the Market Street entry to 801 Market St., where the media companies' offices are located.

Hall's message mentioned new developments at the Gallery, saying: "Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) has advised us that a new retailing tenant will be moving into the first and second floor of our building in the coming months and that, in order to best accommodate their footprint and space requirements, IGM has agreed to relinquish to PREIT our Market Street entrance and lobby effective Saturday, May 31."

See the entire article here:

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20..._to_the_Gallery.html#gKwFCbTz6j3BLZ0y.99

[shadowbat2]

So C21 is taking the Strawbridges building?!?! Seriously, I was thinking about how they would be the perfect occupant of that space and now it seems my (day)dream has come true!!

[McBane]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Another new office building for the "Navy Yard Commerce Center"

The building will house Ecosave, an Australian company opening up office space in the city. Clinigen, based in the UK, will also open up space in the building.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...reak-ground-on-new-building-at-navy.html

The Navy Yard is growing very quickly. But how come the city's leaders don't take the NY model - i.e., favorable business taxes - and spread it throughout the city? The evidence is right there in front of them! I'm not saying to make the entire city a tax-free zone, but the cure to turnaround this city is so obvious. Someone here mentioned doing away w/ the residential tax abatement and instead creating something similar for businesses. That's a great idea.

[McBane]

Not development-related per se, but I know we all like to see our city on TV...

Eagles schedule released yesterday and three of their five nationally televised games are at home. The last game is week 15 against Dallas on Dec 14, about eight months from now. I wonder what tall buildings will be under construction and visible in mid December?

[josef]

Originally Posted by McBane

The Navy Yard is growing very quickly. But how come the city's leaders don't take the NY model - i.e., favorable business taxes - and spread it throughout the city? The evidence is right there in front of them! I'm not saying to make the entire city a tax-free zone, but the cure to turnaround this city is so obvious. Someone here mentioned doing away w/ the residential tax abatement and instead creating something similar for businesses. That's a great idea.

BUILD THE DANG SUBWAY EXTENSION.

Seriously though, neat. I like how the city's getting a few different hotspots of skyline action going on. CC, the Cira area, the Navy Yard. Urban highways sure can suck, but at least some parts of them give you nice views of the development?

[techchallenger]

Originally Posted by shadowbat2

So C21 is taking the Strawbridges building?!?! Seriously, I was thinking about how they would be the perfect occupant of that space and now it seems my (day)dream has come true!!

How are you gleaning the 'Stawbridges' building from what was posted about The Gallery?

[MSFHQ]

Originally Posted by McBane

The Navy Yard is growing very quickly. But how come the city's leaders don't take the NY model - i.e., favorable business taxes - and spread it throughout the city? The evidence is right there in front of them! I'm not saying to make the entire city a tax-free zone, but the cure to turnaround this city is so obvious. Someone here mentioned doing away w/ the residential tax abatement and instead creating something similar for businesses. That's a great idea.

I agree with the tax sentiment. I run a small consulting business and the taxes and paperwork required are ridiculous. The city would benefit in so many ways if it would simply reduce and eliminate the taxes and red tape required to operating in center city.

[Flyers2001]

There has been a crane by Sugar House for the last couple weeks. Looks to be moving stuff on the ground, is there expansion all set and ready to go?

Another note, any rumors about what may happen with Steve Wynn's land on the river? Prime location for something big.

[PhiLaw]

Does anybody have any info on this "Venice Island" in Manayunk? Sounds pretty cool. I must say I lived in Manayunk for 2 years while in law school and absolutely hated it. The bro culture, the redundancy, etc. But I went back for the first time in a few years with my gf to the StrEat Festival and we had a blast. Anyways I digress, any info will help.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/nw-ph...nths-of-redevelopment?linktype=hp_impact

[PhiLaw]

Originally Posted by Flyers2001

There has been a crane by Sugar House for the last couple weeks. Looks to be moving stuff on the ground, is there expansion all set and ready to go?

Another note, any rumors about what may happen with Steve Wynn's land on the river? Prime location for something big.

Yes this should be their Phase II, which was announced for construction a few months back.

PS - they still suck

[PhiLaw]

Originally Posted by MSFHQ

I agree with the tax sentiment. I run a small consulting business and the taxes and paperwork required are ridiculous. The city would benefit in so many ways if it would simply reduce and eliminate the taxes and red tape required to operating in center city.

We need to reduce/eliminate taxes on inelastic/transient sources (income, business revenue, profits) and sustain taxes on elastic/fixed sources (property, sales (depending on product/geographic market). This should be the our north star, lest we not capture all of our potential.

[phaved]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Rendering of the Gallery on Page 22

HOLY S**T!!!!!

It looks to be like a COMPLETE redevelopment of the Gallery with 3 new tower on top- two look to be 400+ feet, the third looks to be between 200-300 feet

Does anyone have an idea when the gallery will make an announcement about the redevelopment? I'm dying to see the pics.