PHILADELPHIA | W Hotel & Element by Westin | 617 FT | 51 FLOORS

[acenturi]

Originally Posted by Londonee

3 W's in Atlanta and 1 in Minneapolis before they open one in Philly? Yikes...

What a strange dichotomy the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Chestnut will be. The 1400 block will feature two sleak and chic 4+ star hotels as well as one of the region's most expensive and exclusive steak houses. The 1500 block will feature Dollar Fashion, cheap sneaker row, PopEyes Chicken, and a Wendys...

BUT none of those can even approach the spectacular building design and size of the Philly W. The W's in NYC even pale in comparison to ours.

dichotomy ? No different than NYC.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Insoluble

15th through 11th???? The 1300 block has the Wanamaker Building/Macy's and several high end furniture stores. Chestnut Street between Broad and 11th street is fine. I think the biggest drag on Chestnut Street is that intersection with 15th, and that should be drastically improving with this W development.

May they break ground soon, PLEASE! Some of the problem on that block may be the proximity to Suburban Station, where so many transit lines intersect. Wendy's has certainly been the ground of a number of violent fights and flashmobs. But I wonder if we still see people around there from the badlands loitering outside and flash mobbing even when the Wendy's moves down the way a bit. I hope not!

[Kidphilly]

Originally Posted by acenturi

BUT none of those can even approach the spectacular building design and size of the Philly W. The W's in NYC even pale in comparison to ours.

dichotomy ? No different than NYC.

The W across from the World Trade is taller than this will be

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Kidphilly

The W across from the World Trade is taller than this will be

Acenturi was saying that this W will be bigger and better designed than any of the 3 in Atlanta. True. I think his point with dichotomy with respect to NYC is that there are also "seedy" stores surrounding the Ws in New York. Which may be somewhat true. Although when I lived in New York, I worked at 53rd and Lex and think all of the surrounding blocks of that W are nicer than that stretch of Chestnut. Not sure about the other Ws there. The one in FiDi didn't exist or was just beginning construction.

[Kidphilly]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

Acenturi was saying that this W will be bigger and better designed than any of the 3 in Atlanta. True. I think his point with dichotomy with respect to NYC is that there are also "seedy" stores surrounding the Ws in New York. Which may be somewhat true. Although when I lived in New York, I worked at 53rd and Lex and think all of the surrounding blocks of that W are nicer than that stretch of Chestnut. Not sure about the other Ws there. The one in FiDi didn't exist or was just beginning construction.

Yeah my experience with the Ws in NYC - the one across from the Waldorf, The one on like 46th (i believe the old tuscany doral and even the new FIDI (stayed there on a last minute deal while visiting the new memorial) all seem better in the area - The FIDI is a bit of construction zone right now

One thing I would say is I hope they do something like the FIDI with an elevated lounge - it must be like 400 feet up there just before the building switches to condos

Even times square has come a long long way

On the 15th and Chestnut - it really can only get better

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Kidphilly

Yeah my experience with the Ws in NYC - the one across from the Waldorf, The one on like 46th (i believe the old tuscany doral and even the new FIDI (stayed there on a last minute deal while visiting the new memorial) all seem better in the area - The FIDI is a bit of construction zone right now

One thing I would say is I hope they do something like the FIDI with an elevated lounge - it must be like 400 feet up there just before the building switches to condos

Even times square has come a long long way

On the 15th and Chestnut - it really can only get better

You think this one will switch partially to condos at some point? I suppose its an easier solution to a development uptick and quicker and cheaper than a ground up luxury building. I think there are plans for an elevated lounge/roof deck here. Someone posted. Should be back in this thread.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

You think this one will switch partially to condos at some point? I suppose its an easier solution to a development uptick and quicker and cheaper than a ground up luxury building. I think there are plans for an elevated lounge/roof deck here. Someone posted. Should be back in this thread.

Actually, I'm not sure there will be one open to the public. This article that someone posted earlier in this thread says a terrace at 15th and Chestnut with a pool, a bar, and a garden overlooking 15th and Chestnut but indicates it will only be available to guests with others relegated to the lobby bar. That's really a shame, and I hope it doesn't stick. Philly is sorely in need of some good rooftop or other outdoor bars. Having lievd in cities that have this in the past, it's such a nice thing to have and a beef I have with Philly.

http://www.phillyliving.com/blog/ccra-hears-presentation-on-welement-hotel.html

[jsbrook]

But then summers also posted THIS awhile ago. So, will there be outdoor space open to the public? Shrug.

Originally Posted by summersm343

Kidphilly. Brook Lenfest said "don't worry"

[arnaz]

FWIW.... I parked in this lot on Friday night and I asked the attendant when the construction would start. He said probably in 2 weeks.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by arnaz

FWIW.... I parked in this lot on Friday night and I asked the attendant when the construction would start. He said probably in 2 weeks.

Did he look anything like THIS?

• Video Link

[arnaz]

Yeah... I think that was him! lol...

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by arnaz

FWIW.... I parked in this lot on Friday night and I asked the attendant when the construction would start. He said probably in 2 weeks.

Woot!

[brenster]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[1487]

Originally Posted by brenster

I'll believe it when I see it.

exactly.

[josef]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

Some of the problem on that block may be the proximity to Suburban Station, where so many transit lines intersect.

I don't understand this line.

[1487]

Originally Posted by josef

I don't understand this line.

I suppose he means that the fact that the site is close to nexus of transit lines (which is kind of the point of a prime CC location)it means kids from the "real" philadelphia can easily get there and sully his view of downtown. I am still baffled by all the commentary about fights and flash mobs at this wendys. Reading these forums a random visitor would think people are getting shot on 1500 block of chestnut weekly. How many years must elapse before people stop acting like there are fights outside of wendy's every other day?

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by 1487

I suppose he means that the fact that the site is close to nexus of transit lines (which is kind of the point of a prime CC location)it means kids from the "real" philadelphia can easily get there and sully his view of downtown. I am still baffled by all the commentary about fights and flash mobs at this wendys. Reading these forums a random visitor would think people are getting shot on 1500 block of chestnut weekly. How many years must elapse before people stop acting like there are fights outside of wendy's every other day?

Exactly. It's been years since that Wendy's caused any issues. However, people will NEVER let things go.

Perfect example: people still call Philly fans terrible, and when asked why, site the Santa Claus snowball incident that occurred in 1960. That's life, people hold on to these things FOREVER. Especially white people lol (and yes I'm white).

[1487]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Exactly. It's been years since that Wendy's caused any issues. However, people will NEVER let things go.

Perfect example: people still call Philly fans terrible, and when asked why, site the Santa Claus snowball incident that occurred in 1960. That's life, people hold on to these things FOREVER. Especially white people lol (and yes I'm white).

I think people have to separate simply SEEING a demographic they arent comfortable with in or around the Wendy's and accusations of fighting, trouble making or flash mobbing. There are a handful of charters in CC and kids are going to get food from affordable places such as wendys. Ive been past this place and this place MANY times. Ive yet to see anyone fighting or harassing anyone else. And the idea that a Wendys (and brand new one at that) could jeopardize the W hotel's chances for success is ridiculous. 15th and chestnut will soon have 2 condo buildings, an upscale apt building and a W hotel at its perimeter. I think the area is moving in right direction. Its actually doing better than most of east chestnut.

[MSFHQ]

I fail to see how someone being concerned about groups of teens loitering at all hours gets twisted into some type of closeted racist statement. And yay, I'm happy that it's been almost a year since a large scale mob attack on center city Philadelphia. So proud of that.


Plain fact is it looks shoddy when you have people loitering by that clothespin. And chestnut St is garbage. How walnut can be so nice and this place is sneaker mecca is besides me. People who bought at the Ellington are making a value play because I'd take one look at the area and pass.

I have friends come to Philly all the time and they break my balls about how trashy parts of CC can be, chestnut included, so let's not pretend this is hyperbole.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Perfect example: people still call Philly fans terrible, and when asked why, site the Santa Claus snowball incident that occurred in 1960.

1968. But who's counting?