PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX - Page 181

1487 · #**3601** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 12:44 PM**

I was wondering why they tore down the building next to 1900 Arch and now I have the answer. I guess this means they are having success leasing up the existing structure in spite of the pricing.

http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/PDF/1924%20Arch%20CDR%20Package%20_2014-06-17m.pdf

Also, per inquirer there will be excavation at 1800 Arch within a month's time.

PhiLaw · #**3602** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 1:02 PM**

Blatstein changes plans on South broad development. Can I get an amen!

http://philly.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...ertical-piazza-on-south-broad-street.php

ILovePhilly · #**3603** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 1:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiLaw

Blatstein changes plans on South broad development. Can I get an amen!

http://philly.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...ertical-piazza-on-south-broad-street.php

OMG AMEN. Thank goodness, this is good progress. Can't wait to see a new graphic.

Jawnadelphia · #**3604** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 1:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

I was wondering why they tore down the building next to 1900 Arch and now I have the answer. I guess this means they are having success leasing up the existing structure in spite of the pricing.

http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/PDF/1924%20Arch%20CDR%20Package%20_2014-06-17m.pdf

Also, per inquirer there will be excavation at 1800 Arch within a month's time.

I was wondering the same thing. So it's more of the same thing... at least it's sort of tucked away looking at the pics (small fronting on Arch St, mostly tucked behind current structure).

All in all, at least it will bring more people to Center City, and should help foster additional development on that stretch of Arch St.

I'm still holding out hope 1919 Market turns into a big boy -- and not the 28 story rectangle it's currently slated for. Pppplease.

cafeguy · #**3605** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILovePhilly

OMG AMEN. Thank goodness, this is good progress. Can't wait to see a new graphic.

Sooo.... Blatstein currently has the three mid-rises project proposed behind the piazza, the casino on north broad, the "extension of the city grid project on the waterfront", and now a 30-story building at broad and washington?

I am definitely excited, but I gotta say... this guy hasn't moved on any of his ideas since the piazza opened in 2008. Maybe he is waiting to hear about the casino and is simply setting up his next big thing as a fall back, but waiting to hear before he strikes out. Stupid casino board... when the hell are they going to make a freakn' decision!? Are they just holding out until the last minute to continue to collect a paycheck?

1487 · #**3606** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 2:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cafeguy

Sooo.... Blatstein currently has the three mid-rises project proposed behind the piazza, the casino on north broad, the "extension of the city grid project on the waterfront", and now a 30-story building at broad and washington?

I am definitely excited, but I gotta say... this guy hasn't moved on any of his ideas since the piazza opened in 2008. Maybe he is waiting to hear about the casino and is simply setting up his next big thing as a fall back, but waiting to hear before he strikes out. Stupid casino board... when the hell are they going to make a freakn' decision!? Are they just holding out until the last minute to continue to collect a paycheck?

He did Tower Place conversion at Broad and SG within last 2 years. That was his last major project. I believe he sold the Piazza to help fund the casino. IF he doesnt get the license I'd presume he can move forward with something else in the pipeline.

cafeguy · #**3607** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 2:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

He did Tower Place conversion at Broad and SG within last 2 years. That was his last major project. I believe he sold the Piazza to help fund the casino. IF he doesnt get the license I'd presume he can move forward with something else in the pipeline.

oh yeah... i forgot about that one. That's a good point. hmph, i suppose I just get frustrated when awesome things take too long to come about. I miss three months ago when every other day, something amazing was popping up on this forum!

summersm343 · #**3608** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 2:35 PM**

When the Zoo Balloon goes they should replace it with an observation tower. I think that would be the best location for one.

Good news on 1900 Arch expansion and Blatstein Broad and Washington.

josef · #**3609** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 2:36 PM**

Speaking of the waterfront.

I go by this lot every day on the train, and I saw a truck and dumpster on it the other day. I'm not sure how long they've been there. But it'd be neat to see this start.

Pretty sure that's this lot:

http://planphilly.com/articles/2014/05/14/250-apartments-planned-for-site-near-ben-franklin-bridge

summersm343 · #**3610** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 2:41 PM**

^^ Yep! That's the lot! Exciting. They did say they want to start this summer assuming they get full approvals in time.

1487 · #**3611** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 5:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

^^ Yep! That's the lot! Exciting. They did say they want to start this summer assuming they get full approvals in time.

This project is going back before the CDR committee at the next meeting to address whatever concerns popped up the first time. It certainly seems like its going forward.

summersm343 · #**3612** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 5:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

This project is going back before the CDR committee at the next meeting to address whatever concerns popped up the first time. It certainly seems like its going forward.

CDR just had some concerns about materials used and traffic patterns etc. They're going back before the CDR July 1st. After that they'll head to the Planning Commission for final approvals. They don't need to go to the ZBA or anything so the Planning Commission is the final stop. I assume they already have financing since they want to move forward so quickly.

Outta here · #**3613** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 6:35 PM**

[QUOTE=summersm343;6624394]When the Zoo Balloon goes they should replace it with an observation tower. I think that would be the best location for one.

Didn't some on here discuss what would be a decent replacement for the balloon
a few weeks back ? I seem to recall proposals that ranged every where from the Space needle in Seattle to the Eiffel Tower .

Just for shits and giggles , if an observation tower were to be built , is there a bidding war amongst designers .... and who foots the bill ??

Late1 · #**3614** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 6:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

When the Zoo Balloon goes they should replace it with an observation tower. I think that would be the best location for one...

Agreed; I posted the same thing a few weeks back. That said, a South Philly observation tower would have the most expansive view of the skyline, so I certainly wouldn't mind one there instead.

I like the 615' height that's proposed (that's the minimum I'd want to see) but I really hope, if they were to build this, that they'd go for an attractive, iconic design that isn't a rip-off of another city's.

edit: Outta_here, yes that was me - and I gave Space Needle and Eiffel Tower (as well as Gateway Arch) of examples of the sort of artistic and iconic observation tower I'd like Philadelphia to build, but at the same time, I wouldn't want Philly to at all copy another city's design.

And Kidphilly raised a good point: would the FAA even allow them to build something that tall at Broad & Pattison? That's really close to the PHL east/west air traffic route...

Baconboy007 · #**3615** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 8:01 PM**

Ooooooh I can't wait for Philly to get one of these (🞵🞵🞵🞵 language)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oq_1KdZIsM

summersm343 · #**3616** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 8:31 PM**

More Luxury Rows coming to Race and Bread Street in Old City replacing a surface parking lot. Prices will range from $800k- $1.2 million

http://philly.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...s-will-soon-rise-on-race-street.php#more

ILovePhilly · #**3617** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 8:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

More Luxury Rows coming to Race and Bread Street in Old City replacing a surface parking lot. Prices will range from $800k- $1.2 million

http://philly.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...s-will-soon-rise-on-race-street.php#more

Did I miss the time warp? Those buildings look straight out of the worst part of the 1970s. U-G-L-Y. That brick, who would design such a thing and who would buy it for a million dollars?

JustSomeGuyWho · #**3618** Posted **Jun 19, 2014, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILovePhilly

Did I miss the time warp? Those buildings look straight out of the worst part of the 1970s. U-G-L-Y. That brick, who would design such a thing and who would buy it for a million dollars?

Meh, there were far worse things that came out of the 70's

Insoluble · #**3619** Posted **Jun 20, 2014, 4:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustSomeGuyWho

Meh, there were far worse things that came out of the 70's

If the best thing that can be said about a development is that it's not as bad as the worst of the '70s that's pretty sad. I mean, blank brick walls, two-car garages, ugh! This is pretty terrible. Whatever, they can't all be winners I suppose.

shadowbat2 · #**3620** Posted **Jun 20, 2014, 7:54 AM**

SRC sells William Penn High to Temple

Quote:

Kristen A. Graham and Martha Woodall, Inquirer Staff Writers
Last updated: Friday, June 20, 2014, 1:08 AM
Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2014, 9:38 PM

The former William Penn High School, a sprawling structure on North Broad Street, was permanently closed by the School Reform Commission on Thursday night and sold to Temple University for $15 million.

Part of the property will be razed and turned into athletic fields and recreation space for Temple students. The school building fronting Broad Street will remain, and will house a job-training academy run by the Laborers' District Council Education and Training/Apprenticeship Fund. It will offer training in construction crafts and general education topics.

The sale happened over the strong objections of some community members - who had been promised a new life for the high school when it "temporarily" closed in 2009. Then-Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman said at the time that the school would reopen within five years as a career and technical academy for district students.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/..._High_to_Temple.html#m5Pt2owmBo52Vyqq.99