PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread

[blorkishdork]

I actually think those are just big windows for commercial spaces. I remembered seeing the article below which states 5 apartment units per building. So I wouldn't get too mad over these buildings. Has someone else seen permits that say otherwise?

http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/loft-district/could-you-would-you-on-wood-street

[josef]

Originally Posted by blorkishdork

I actually think those are just big windows for commercial spaces. I remembered seeing the article below which states 5 apartment units per building. So I wouldn't get too mad over these buildings. Has someone else seen permits that say otherwise?

http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/loft-district/could-you-would-you-on-wood-street

Is there a rendering for this anywhere? The Naked Philly site didn't have one.

Also, is this a case of Chinatown further developing the area north of Vine Street? Cause, Chinatown rocks. I don't like the idea of it getting crowded out from all directions, so I hope this is the Chinatown community continuing to stake out space just to its north.

[cafeguy]

Originally Posted by josef

Is there a rendering for this anywhere? The Naked Philly site didn't have one.

Also, is this a case of Chinatown further developing the area north of Vine Street? Cause, Chinatown rocks. I don't like the idea of it getting crowded out from all directions, so I hope this is the Chinatown community continuing to stake out space just to its north.

There are no permits with the city for construction...at least not recorded in L&I.

And you know what else is really annoying with this? I'm happy to see construction here, but holy f#ck man, if you look at the tax assessment for this parking lot, its total assessment is $0 for all three parcels. Sale price was $1 for all three in 2014. So, the current tax system states that this parcel of land that could actually support a pretty large building is worth absolutely nothing and is taxed as nothing.

No wonder we have so many speculators. No wonder we have so much sub-par building. With the tax structure as it is, there is no pressure to build on vacant center city land and no pressure to build something with any sort of height.

These buildings look just fine that are going up, but for this vacant land right next to center city to not be bringing in ANY money for the city is just crazy! Then, they will also have tax abatements for the next ten years.

[cafeguy]

Originally Posted by cafeguy

There are no permits with the city for construction...at least not recorded in L&I.

And you know what else is really annoying with this? I'm happy to see construction here, but holy f#ck man, if you look at the tax assessment for this parking lot, its total assessment is $0 for all three parcels. Sale price was $1 for all three in 2014. So, the current tax system states that this parcel of land that could actually support a pretty large building is worth absolutely nothing and is taxed as nothing.

No wonder we have so many speculators. No wonder we have so much sub-par building. With the tax structure as it is, there is no pressure to build on vacant center city land and no pressure to build something with any sort of height.

These buildings look just fine that are going up, but for this vacant land right next to center city to not be bringing in ANY money for the city is just crazy! Then, they will also have tax abatements for the next ten years.

Oh wait... the permits are filed on the 1032 parcel and not the whole thing. Perhaps they started building without consolidating? And it looks like there was a stop-work order put on the construction with THREE violations! Workman-like, insurance, and stop work order.

http://www.phila.gov/data/Pages/default.aspx?entity=violationdetails&eid=465522

[josef]

Originally Posted by cafeguy

Oh wait... the permits are filed on the 1032 parcel and not the whole thing. Perhaps they started building without consolidating? And it looks like there was a stop-work order put on the construction with THREE violations! Workman-like, insurance, and stop work order.

http://www.phila.gov/data/Pages/default.aspx?entity=violationdetails&eid=465522

Heh wow, what a mess... Thanks for looking into it.

[summersm343]

Rodin Square/ Dalian on the Park
Update from Building Philly





More photos here:
https://www.facebook.com/BuildingPhilly

[philatonian]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

There is room for both (highrises and townhouses). And we need the townhomes. It is a preferred way to live for many families. For the first time in decades, we're seeing increased interest in families wanting to remain in the city and raise kids (those who can afford it and do so comfortably, anyway). I think that's something that needs to be encouraged and that will, in the longerm, facilitate more highrise development.

Don't like the plan for the garages if that's true.

One thing I like about Philly is the abundance of townhouses. Still, I wonder about the sustainability of some of them. I see Callowhill poised to take off, and when that happens density can overrule tradition. The neighborhood has plenty of room to build apartments, so I don't think anyone's going to be consolidating these houses into condos anytime soon. But I do kind of wonder when the land value will supersede their value as single family homes. If that's the case, those buying stand to win big.

[dschico]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

Anyone happen to know who owns the AFSCME building at 3001 Walnut next to the future FMC tower? Is it he union themselves?

From what I could dig up online, the building's official address is 150 S. 30th Street and the owner is listed as the Trust of James Sutton.

[iheartphilly]

Some more new jobs in the city:

Big architectural firm plants roots in Philadelphia:

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...-architectural-firm-plants-roots-in.html

Anyone know if they have any Philly projects in the pipeline?

[1487]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Some more new jobs in the city:

Big architectural firm plants roots in Philadelphia:

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...-architectural-firm-plants-roots-in.html

Anyone know if they have any Philly projects in the pipeline?

I read about this earlier today, this is definitely a major pick up for the city, even if its only 40 people. I havent heard of any projects they have been awarded, but someone I know who understands the business said its very possible they already have work going on down here. He said he was surprised they would open satellite office here considering how close we are to NYC.

[br323206]

Originally Posted by cafeguy

There are no permits with the city for construction...at least not recorded in L&I.

And you know what else is really annoying with this? I'm happy to see construction here, but holy f#ck man, if you look at the tax assessment for this parking lot, its total assessment is $0 for all three parcels. Sale price was $1 for all three in 2014. So, the current tax system states that this parcel of land that could actually support a pretty large building is worth absolutely nothing and is taxed as nothing.

No wonder we have so many speculators. No wonder we have so much sub-par building. With the tax structure as it is, there is no pressure to build on vacant center city land and no pressure to build something with any sort of height.

These buildings look just fine that are going up, but for this vacant land right next to center city to not be bringing in ANY money for the city is just crazy! Then, they will also have tax abatements for the next ten years.

So I'm pretty sure the assessment information is inaccurate. Every property pays some tax, even if it is vacant. And the $1 sale price is just a placeholder. You'll often see that in records when the property was transferred to another family member.

[MikeNigh]

It looks like there is a crane up around 8th and arch. Does anyone know what they are building there?

[Jawnadelphia]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

It looks like there is a crane up around 8th and arch. Does anyone know what they are building there?

810 Arch - must be this:

https://projecthome.org/locations/coming-soon-810-arch-street

[McBane]

This gets a pass b/c it's not a luxury building in the least bit. But man, this thing is ugly! Those Drivit panels look hideously cheap, even in that cartoonish rendering. The real thing will be scary bad. But again, since it's not a luxury building, I can look the other way here and just be glad another surface lot in Chinatown bites the dust.

[hammersklavier]

Drexel's leveling all the buildings on the UC High site.

One of those is the (was the, by now) actually rather handsome Drew School. I was hoping they'd keep it, it looked like it would've made for good lofts. Le sigh.

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by cafeguy

About 9 VERY large 4 story tall townhomes are going up in the shadow of the future Chinatown tower at 11th and Pearl. Very interesting location. Anyone know anything about them? Unfortunately, looks like they might be putting garage doors all along 11th and along pearl with the way the building's sticks look.

Unless I miss my guess, the ones along Pearl actually front Wood. There is a strong preference for the front of the house to face south in East Asian cultures, and the site placement seems to reflect this.

As for the garages along 11th, can't win 'em all.

[Flyers2001]

Fence is up around area where new bridge to Perelman will run from HUP. Out there digging as this is posted.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by dschico

From what I could dig up online, the building's official address is 150 S. 30th Street and the owner is listed as the Trust of James Sutton.

Thanks. Hate that building. I don't see very many buildings being demolished in Philly with our abundance of open lots and several story parking lots (someone had suggested 1515 Market being razed for a supertall awhile ago. Very unlikely) But I could see that being a prime target for a skyscraper if the stars aligned. Next to FMC, right by 30th street and in the burgeoning University City area. Could be a perfect place for a big company headquarters (Chemours are you hearing me?....). Not sure what the Trust of James Sutton is though...Maybe if Brandywine owned the land. We can (pipe) dream. Sigh.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by philatonian

One thing I like about Philly is the abundance of townhouses. Still, I wonder about the sustainability of some of them. I see Callowhill poised to take off, and when that happens density can overrule tradition. The neighborhood has plenty of room to build apartments, so I don't think anyone's going to be consolidating these houses into condos anytime soon. But I do kind of wonder when the land value will supersede their value as single family homes. If that's the case, those buying stand to win big.

I don't think Center City and the surrounding neighborhoods really have very many townhouses. But a number of projects completed in last several years and number of others are under construction or in the pipeline. The demand is there. I think we are a ways away from them impeding development. There are still so many prime spots to build highrises.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by 1487

I read about this earlier today, this is definitely a major pick up for the city, even if its only 40 people. I havent heard of any projects they have been awarded, but someone I know who understands the business said its very possible they already have work going on down here. He said he was surprised they would open satellite office here considering how close we are to NYC.

This is really cool. One of many signs of Philly's current and accelerating boom.