PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[acenturi]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Thankful for Philly video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfDmF1AslHI

The most underrated Big City in the World.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by acenturi

The most underrated Big City in the World.

Hear, hear!

[Larry King]

Originally Posted by acenturi

The most underrated Big City in the World.

How about: best city in the world.

[PhiLaw]

Originally Posted by Larry King

How about: best city in the world.

To make it more objective, I prefer: "The largest small city in the world." That to me encapsulates Philadelphia.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by PhiLaw

To make it more objective, I prefer: "The largest small city in the world." That to me encapsulates Philadelphia.

I dunno--to me that makes us sound kinda provincial (i.e., we have the population, but not the cultural assets and sophistication of a large city).

Somehow, we have to get out the message that we have the cultural and entertainment assets (and population) of a big city, but with the accessibility and livability of a small city.

[josef]

You'd think the entire population of Philadelphia has quit their jobs and learned to fly drones.

Nice video though!

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

Somehow, we have to get out the message that we have the cultural and entertainment assets (and population) of a big city, but with the accessibility and livability of a small city.

It's funny, when Philly is described it's always referred to as a "Blue Collar City" - and people seem to think that's a badge of honor? I'm not a huge fan of that stereotype - blue collar to most people means non-college educated, lunch-pale toting, construction working, pipe-fittin folks who drive american cars and exclusively drink dunkin donuts coffee. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's just not representative of the city anymore. I live in Center City and so do my friends, their occupations are: lawyer, financial trader, doctor, creative director, consultant, advertising executive, writer, freelance journalist, sculptor, audio engineer.

But people really seem to identify with this Rocky-complex and find it cool for some reason--and I think it leads to a misrepresentation of what the city and our economy has become: energetic, creative, diverse, smart, young.

It's like the Delaware Valley thing, stop with the blue collar.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by Londonee

It's funny, when Philly is described it's always referred to as a "Blue Collar City" - and people seem to think that's a badge of honor? I'm not a huge fan of that stereotype - blue collar to most people means non-college educated, lunch-pale toting, construction working, pipe-fittin folks who drive american cars and exclusively drink dunkin donuts coffee. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's just not representative of the city anymore. I live in Center City and so do my friends, their occupations are: lawyer, financial trader, doctor, creative director, consultant, advertising executive, writer, freelance journalist, sculptor, audio engineer.

But people really seem to identify with this Rocky-complex and find it cool for some reason--and I think it leads to a misrepresentation of what the city and our economy has become: energetic, creative, diverse, smart, young.

It's like the Delaware Valley thing, stop with the blue collar.

Word.

[Jawnadelphia]

I don't disagree.

But Center City - white collar - young, good salary living - is still vastly different than a majority of Philadelphians. Things are changing - and it's cool, and I'm on board.

Second, it might be a historical nod to Philly's "Workshop of the World" past - where it was indeed a manufacturing tour de force, known the world over. Thus, very much a "we build it by hand" mentality, which was passed on generation to generation. The Navy Yard built ships by hand for 194 years - that's many a generations of workers/families, hard working "blue collar" folks.

A little gentrification and new apt/condo buildings, $500k+ houses doesn't erase that past or history.

Uncle Paulie and Rock - still has a place in Philly too, yo.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by TallCoolOne

I don't disagree.

But Center City - white collar - young, good salary living - is still vastly different than a majority of Philadelphians. Things are changing - and it's cool, and I'm on board.

Second, it might be a historical nod to Philly's "Workshop of the World" past - where it was indeed a manufacturing tour de force, known the world over. Thus, very much a "we build it by hand" mentality, which was passed on generation to generation. The Navy Yard built ships by hand for 194 years - that's many a generations of workers/families, hard working "blue collar" folks.

A little gentrification and new apt/condo buildings, $500k+ houses doesn't erase that past or history.

Uncle Paulie and Rock - still has a place in Philly too, yo.

Agreed. And the majority of residents of cities like NYC, Chicago, and even Boston and San Francisco are not white collar. But it's a question of the overall popular image of a city, and Philly's popular image hasn't been on par with those other cities in terms of being a cultural and creative capital. Hopefully, however, that's in the process of changing.

[josef]

On the other end of the spectrum, every city gets called a "city of neighborhoods". What city doesn't have different neighborhoods? This always boggled my mind.

[Outta here]

[QUOTE=Londonee;6821814]It's funny, when Philly is described it's always referred to as a "Blue Collar City" - and people seem to think that's a badge of honor? I'm not a huge fan of that stereotype - blue collar to most people means non-college educated, lunch-pale toting, construction working, pipe-fittin folks who drive american cars and exclusively drink dunkin donuts coffee. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's just not representative of the city anymore. I live in Center City and so do my friends, their occupations are: lawyer, financial trader, doctor, creative director, consultant, advertising executive, writer, freelance journalist, sculptor, audio engineer.

But people really seem to identify with this Rocky-complex and find it cool for some reason--and I think it leads to a misrepresentation of what the city and our economy has become: energetic, creative, diverse, smart, young.





I am certainly happy for you and your lawyer , doctor , writer , sculptor friends . May you all be blessed with six figure incomes .

My friends , electricians , plumbers , stone masons , musicians , photographers , teachers , a dentist and financial advisor .
I drink dunkin donuts coffee .... because I like the taste . I drive a ( mostly ) American built car because it is my way of supporting
the economy , in a small way .

My wife and I have a healthy joint six figure income and dine out , drink wine , attend shows , travel and enjoy the diversity of
neighbors and friends . We do not pigeon hole our life style or shy away from " lunch-pale toting , construction working , pipe-fitting
folks , any more than we pretend to belong to a social net work of individuals who don't know how to shut their water off or turn
the power back on when the lights go out .

We both have degrees but wound up enjoying careers unrelated to our fields of study ... I like to think of that as , diversification .

.......... PS; Have a nice " Thanksgiving "

[pwp]

On NPR I heard a commercial for I believe the chamber of commerce that was promoting the city. It said that if philadelphia region was it's own country, it'd be the 5th largest economy in the world. Does that sound correct?

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by pwp

On NPR I heard a commercial for I believe the chamber of commerce that was promoting the city. It said that if philadelphia region was it's own country, it'd be the 5th largest economy in the world. Does that sound correct?

Nope. In world economy terms, Philly would be above Iran, but below Switzerland and ranked 20.5 if quantify in the ranking. See link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_between_U.S._states_and_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29

[McBane]

A hideous parking garage with no retail for the Piazza. And it sails through all the neighborhood committees with zero objection.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/Piazza_to_get_four-story_300-car_parking_garage.html

You think about all the idiotic issues that NIMBY's bring up and then you read this. Really makes you wonder about people's priorities. I guess you can take the suburbanite out of the suburbs, but you can't take the suburb out of the suburbanite.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Kidphilly]

Originally Posted by McBane

A hideous parking garage with no retail for the Piazza. And it sails through all the neighborhood committees with zero objection.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/Piazza_to_get_four-story_300-car_parking_garage.html

You think about all the idiotic issues that NIMBY's bring up and then you read this. Really makes you wonder about people's priorities. I guess you can take the suburbanite out of the suburbs, but you can't take the suburb out of the suburbanite.

Happy Thanksgiving!

anyone know if the parking podium can support other structures - that is a shame for No Libs

[kilbride102]

Originally Posted by McBane

A hideous parking garage with no retail for the Piazza. And it sails through all the neighborhood committees with zero objection.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/Piazza_to_get_four-story_300-car_parking_garage.html

You think about all the idiotic issues that NIMBY's bring up and then you read this. Really makes you wonder about people's priorities. I guess you can take the suburbanite out of the suburbs, but you can't take the suburb out of the suburbanite.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Maybe they have their priorities straight and want an easy place to park. Its currently a surface lot so the use doesn't change. It takes 300 cars off the curb parking spots, adds 35 bike spots, might not be pretty or fit with everyones idea of what should be done there. Also there must be a demand for it by residents or potential residents of the piazza.

[cafeguy]

Originally Posted by kilbride102

Maybe they have their priorities straight and want an easy place to park. Its currently a surface lot so the use doesn't change. It takes 300 cars off the curb parking spots, adds 35 bike spots, might not be pretty or fit with everyones idea of what should be done there. Also there must be a demand for it by residents or potential residents of the piazza.

This is DEFINITELY needed in the neighborhood for sure. In fact, I would go as far as saying that every philly neighborhood should have a garage!

No retail is needed here because its mostly residential, PLUS, the current Piazza retail doesn't do well anyway. Putting in the garage gets 300 cars off the street like you said, and also frees up the lot next door so they can move forward with their two towers! The garage was always a part of the piazza plan from the beginning.

[philatonian]

Originally Posted by McBane

A hideous parking garage with no retail for the Piazza. And it sails through all the neighborhood committees with zero objection.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/Piazza_to_get_four-story_300-car_parking_garage.html

You think about all the idiotic issues that NIMBY's bring up and then you read this. Really makes you wonder about people's priorities. I guess you can take the suburbanite out of the suburbs, but you can't take the suburb out of the suburbanite.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So ridiculous. This absolutely exposes the NIMBYs priorities. For all their gripes about shadows when high-rises were being proposed all the way over by the river, they weren't complaining about the skyline, they were complaining about potential urban density cutting into their suburban creature comforts. "Where am I gonna park??"

[cafeguy]

Originally Posted by philatonian

So ridiculous. This absolutely exposes the NIMBYs priorities. For all their gripes about shadows when high-rises were being proposed all the way over by the river, they weren't complaining about the skyline, they were complaining about potential urban density cutting into their suburban creature comforts. "Where am I gonna park??"

again... this parking garage takes up 1/5 of the entire ground floor parking lot that has been used in years past. Building this puts those cars into a consolidated area so they can begin moving forward with urban density/towers/development of the other 4/5s of the land. Plus, this was always the plan.