PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[ScreamShatter]

Originally Posted by Londonee

Do you think banks and financial backers care about "symbolism"?

I think bankers care about the business plan -- and as I laid out above, with the proper partnerships, there could easily be consistent demand for a hotel in that location that would have a competitive advantage over center city locations.

But I work in financial services, so I'm sure I don't know what I'm talking about or anything regarding financing. And considering the developer has proven experience in developing areas AND obviously has a vision for that area since he purchased 3 large buildings to renovate, I can't imagine that he might know more than you or a valid business argument for why he thinks it'd be a better hotel than apartment complex.

[ScreamShatter]

Originally Posted by Londonee

Screamshatter, Aborted Walrus, PHilatonian:



Who am I to talk you out of it. Love your optimism.

I'm not against a residential complex in that location, but I believe there is both a business argument and an urban planning argument to be made for why that is a good location for a hotel. Either way, I'm happy DL is finally being brought back to life.

[Wayne Junction]

Originally Posted by Captain_Hammer

"Last night I was strolling by the Divine Lorraine and noticed they turned the sign on!" /u/d-scan on Reddit

They also have a website under construction.

WOW! I wonder when it was turned on last. When driving into Center City from Glenside in my childhood (50s and 60s), it was an icon of North Broad St.( back when City Hall was still black with decades of soot) and mom would point out the Lorraine as, "That's where Love lives."

Love was one of Father Divine's "Angels" who we hired to help with a large Christmas dinner one year. A tall African-American lady with thick cat's eye glasses, she arrived at the front door with outstretch arms announcing "Love is here!." She helped serve and clean up all the while humming Gospel tunes. We liked her so much we had her back as a baby sitter many times after my brother was born.

I don't know much about about the community but it seemed to be on a utopian model of members signing over all worldly property to Father Divine and residing in his care. Poverty, however, did not seem to be a virtue as I recall many tales of the lavish banquets and Angels being dressed to the nines in all matter of furs and sartorial finery.

I'm glad to see this magnificent Victorian building being restored and its history as a daring civil rights experiment preserved.

[volguus zildrohar]

I had to go and see it for myself. Sure enough, it's on though kind of hard to see unless you're right under it..

[1487]

There has already been a lot of improvement east and west of the DL site so by the time its done who knows what else will be different around that intersection. In addition, the north broad Ave of Arts project is underway and that will bring streetscape improvements to that area. I wonder if its possible if they will consider a combination of residential units and hotel rooms.

[theSisko]

Digital signage coming to the Lits Building. Interesting how no mention of the apartment tower and when that may start, especially if there are other improvements being made in order to get the digital signage...

[josef]

Originally Posted by theSisko

Digital signage coming to the Lits Building. Interesting how no mention of the apartment tower and when that may start, especially if there are other improvements being made in order to get the digital signage...

It's fascinating to me to make Ridge Avenue Subway concourse improvements part of getting the OK for the signage. It's like since we can't maintain our infrastructure, we'll bribe developers to do it. It's better than selling advertising rights and turning it into the Cheetos-Pepsi Ridge Avenue Flavorway, I guess.

Also, interesting topic on WNYC's Brian Leher show today: "Why "Starchitects" Are Ruining Skylines" featuring "Witold Rybcznski, emeritus professor of urbanism at the University of Pennsylvania". http://www.wnyc.org/story/call-local-architectural-talent/

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by josef

It's better than selling advertising rights and turning it into the Cheetos-Pepsi Ridge Avenue Flavorway, I guess.

That may still happen. During the announcement of the latest Comcast Tower, SEPTA was in serious talks with Comcast about naming rights for Suburban Station. I work in advertising and had conversations with SEPTA where the topic was brought up. This obviously never materialized, but station naming rights are something that SEPTA is really pushing as an additional source of revenue. They just haven't had anyone bite other than AT&T...yet.

[josef]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

That may still happen. During the announcement of the latest Comcast Tower, SEPTA was in serious talks with Comcast about naming rights for Suburban Station. I work in advertising and had conversations with SEPTA where the topic was brought up. This obviously never materialized, but station naming rights are something that SEPTA is really pushing as an additional source of revenue. They just haven't had anyone bite other than AT&T...yet.

Yeah

[summersm343]

Center City Retail Scene is on Fire

-Neiman Marcus possibly interested in opening their Last Call store in Shops at Liberty Place.

-Forever 21 to old Dress Barn location on Chestnut.

-American Eagle now open.

-Nordstrom Rack coming to old Daffy's spot.

-Uniqlo coming to Chestnut.

-Century 21 to old Strawbridge's location on Market.

-Macy's looking to expand.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...06/center-city-retail-scene-on-fire.html

[br323206]

Originally Posted by josef

It's fascinating to me to make Ridge Avenue Subway concourse improvements part of getting the OK for the signage. It's like since we can't maintain our infrastructure, we'll bribe developers to do it. It's better than selling advertising rights and turning it into the Cheetos-Pepsi Ridge Avenue Flavorway, I guess.

Also, interesting topic on WNYC's Brian Leher show today: "Why "Starchitects" Are Ruining Skylines" featuring "Witold Rybcznski, emeritus professor of urbanism at the University of Pennsylvania". http://www.wnyc.org/story/call-local-architectural-talent/

These kind of requirements to construct public improvements in exchange for bonuses are built into zoning codes all over the country. It's a very common practice and is not unique to Philly. I think calling it a bribe is a little off the mark.

[josef]

Originally Posted by br323206

These kind of requirements to construct public improvements in exchange for bonuses are built into zoning codes all over the country. It's a very common practice and is not unique to Philly. I think calling it a bribe is a little off the mark.

Oh, I'm nothing if not flippant. But I get your point. I've actually never heard of it before, I didn't realize it was popular other places too.

[1487]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Center City Retail Scene is on Fire

-Neiman Marcus possibly interested in opening their Last Call store in Shops at Liberty Place.

-Forever 21 to old Dress Barn location on Chestnut.

-American Eagle now open.

-Nordstrom Rack coming to old Daffy's spot.

-Uniqlo coming to Chestnut.

-Century 21 to old Strawbridge's location on Market.

-Macy's looking to expand.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...06/center-city-retail-scene-on-fire.html

They have been working on the long vacant space near Modell's in the 1500 block of chestnut for some time- they finally removed the plywood entrance on the front and started working on the real entrance and canopy. I do wonder if there is a tenant for this space.

[Aaamazarite]

Originally Posted by 1487

They have been working on the long vacant space near Modell's in the 1500 block of chestnut for some time- they finally removed the plywood entrance on the front and started working on the real entrance and canopy. I do wonder if there is a tenant for this space.

This

[1487]

Originally Posted by Aaamazarite

This

interesting. Had not heard anything about this. That space is almost 40k sf according to the demo permit. Apparently popeye's is also going into a space on that block at 1516 chestnut- just saw that on the L&I permit map. Im sure that will prove quite controversial but its better than another vacancy on chestnut in my book.

[Jawnadelphia]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Two-New-High-Rises-Coming-To-Philly-262724871.html

Build baby, build!

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by TallCoolOne

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Two-New-High-Rises-Coming-To-Philly-262724871.html

Build baby, build!

Nice! I hope this gets off the ground!

[Cro Burnham]

Originally Posted by 1487

Apparently popeye's is also going into a space on that block at 1516 chestnut- Im sure that will prove quite controversial but its better than another vacancy on chestnut in my book.

Ugh. Not as far as I'm concerned. I have firmly ensconced myself in the corner of the virulently anti-loitering-teenager-mob camp. Wish them dang little tykes would just go to Wildwood where they love back their gangs of yoots.

[relnahe]

Originally Posted by 1487

Apparently popeye's is also going into a space on that block at 1516 chestnut.

[bucks native]

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Li...l_sign_in_exchange_for_improvements.html

Also under the approved “public improvement program,” Brickstone would make upgrades to the public restrooms within the Lit building and light up the historic features of the building's facade. It would improve adjacent sidewalks, replace and widen escalators that take visitors from concourse to ground level in the building, and add awnings, bike racks on Filbert Street, and video displays in several areas, said John Pringle of Stantec.

"This robust, cast-iron facade - it's going to be a pleasure to light this, and really highlight the features of this historic building,” Pringle said in his presentation.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Li...or_improvements.html#77Ijr6V4VgK0RmI5.99