PHILADELPHIA | W Hotel & Element by Westin | 617 FT | 51 FLOORS - Page 34

jsbrook · #**661** Posted **Feb 20, 2015, 9:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

Thanks, that's quite informative (as you always are).

But do you know if the current plan (as you saw and recall it) includes a lull in excavation activity that would allow for the parking lot to temporarily reopen (i.e., between utility relocation and asphalt stripping, etc.)?

There is a possibility it may reopen.

Philly Fan · #**662** Posted **Feb 20, 2015, 12:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbrook

There is a possibility it may reopen.

Is that based on inside information? Or just because, basically, anything's possible?

MikeNigh · #**663** Posted **Feb 20, 2015, 3:03 PM**

MetroSplash · #**664** Posted **Feb 20, 2015, 10:01 PM**

I was home yesterday during the day and watched them work for a few hours. In the southwest corner they are piling dirt pretty high and the bulldozer kept riding to the top and then dropping its bucket (whatever its called) and then driving back down off the hill. he did this for some time creating a nice wide ramp from street level to the top of the pile. Either he was doing this for some purpose or he was really, really board.

jsbrook · #**665** Posted **Feb 20, 2015, 10:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

Is that based on inside information? Or just because, basically, anything's possible?

Someone involved who wouldn't deny it. Don't really want to say more. I'm hopeful on this one. But when/if it will be, it will be. I'll probably stop posting in this thread till construction has actually started.

GarCastle · #**666** Posted **Feb 21, 2015, 2:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbrook

Someone involved who wouldn't deny it. Don't really want to say more. I'm hopeful on this one. But when/if it will be, it will be. I'll probably stop posting in this thread till construction has actually started.

RWSMADCONC already spelled out the process and the work being done. So there doesn't seem any room to be cryptic or mysterious. They ARE building but they have lots of work to do before hand. Perhaps part of the space could get some parking revenue while that's getting done or meet some silly Philly lower tax base because it's a parking lot or something. But they are working on it, effectively full speed with things they have to do first.

Fear not, if it becomes a full parking lot, I will personally LEGO off the parking entrance and build a huge Lego scraper with my 2 and 4 year olds! Though I'll probably need some help - that's a lot of legos!

Cheers,
G.

jsbrook · #**667** Posted **Feb 21, 2015, 2:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarCastle

RWSMADCONC already spelled out the process and the work being done. So there doesn't seem any room to be cryptic or mysterious. They ARE building but they have lots of work to do before hand. Perhaps part of the space could get some parking revenue while that's getting done or meet some silly Philly lower tax base because it's a parking lot or something. But they are working on it, effectively full speed with things they have to do first.

Fear not, if it becomes a full parking lot, I will personally LEGO off the parking entrance and build a huge Lego scraper with my 2 and 4 year olds! Though I'll probably need some help - that's a lot of legos!

Cheers,
G.

Ha. I'm not disputing what must be done from a process standpoint. RWSMADCONC knows more about that than I do. I'm not trying to be cryptic or mysterious either. I just don't want to piss off my contacts. Off to other threads for me. I'll be the first one to do back flips when actual construction begins.

Philly Fan · #**668** Posted **Feb 21, 2015, 3:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbrook

I'll be the first one to do back flips when actual construction begins.

I dunno--I'm starting to kinda like the idea of seeing the GarCastle Family Lego Skyscraper there.

Naaaaaah, on second thought, better to see the real deal being built.

Philly-Drew · #**669** Posted **Feb 21, 2015, 4:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

I dunno--I'm starting to kinda like the idea of seeing the GarCastle Family Lego Skyscraper there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbrook

I'll be the first one to do back flips when actual construction begins.

Naaaaaah, on second thought, better to see the real deal being built.

jsbrook, you said you'll do backflips when actual construction begins. We're gonna hold you to that, otherwise, you are not a person of your word. Now I really want to see construction get underway!

Philly-Drew · #**670** Posted **Feb 21, 2015, 4:29 PM**

Double post, please disregard.

1487 · #**671** Posted **Feb 23, 2015, 1:27 PM**

The Inky's business writer made a passing reference to the W hotel being under construction in an article about the Gallery and PREIT seeking a similar TIF deal in order to get construction off the ground.

McBane · #**672** Posted **Feb 23, 2015, 2:39 PM**

Quote:

The city is also negotiating a Tax Increment Financing District, which would allow PREIT to apply what would otherwise be future property-tax increases to Gallery upgrades. "There is a presumption" this will result in more jobs and higher wage-tax collections, Greenberger told me. (Investor Brook Lenfest's W and Element Hotels at 15th and Chestnut, where work started last week, are also getting a TIF.)

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20...allery_renovation_still_under_wraps.html

josef · #**673** Posted **Feb 23, 2015, 2:51 PM**

They're certainly putting together a handsome pile of dirt.

jsbrook · #**674** Posted **Feb 23, 2015, 7:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly-Drew

jsbrook, you said you'll do backflips when actual construction begins. We're gonna hold you to that, otherwise, you are not a person of your word. Now I really want to see construction get underway!

Don't worry. I'll honor it!

shakman · #**675** Posted **Feb 24, 2015, 2:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbrook

Don't worry. I'll honor it!

You need to video record it and then post the video on this thread.

summersm343 · #**676** Posted **Feb 25, 2015, 12:00 AM**

Update from Building Philly

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

1487 · #**677** Posted **Feb 25, 2015, 8:16 PM**

The dirt pile is masssive now. They are really going way down on the east side to expose the foundation walls.

Philly Fan · #**678** Posted **Feb 25, 2015, 8:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

The dirt pile is masssive now. They are really going way down on the east side to expose the foundation walls.

Maybe they're going to park some cars down there when they reopen the parking lot in a week or two.

mmikeyphilly · #**679** Posted **Feb 25, 2015, 9:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

The dirt pile is masssive now. They are really going way down on the east side to expose the foundation walls.

Yeah, that hole is pretty deep. They couldn't be digging that deep for soil samples? The only thing that came to mind, is that they could be excavating for treasures? Like historical treasures? But I doubt that though, since there was already a building on this site from the early 20th Century. Maybe this is the start of construction, after all? I thought caissons would be present, but I don't recall anyone posting about that. Guess we'll see sooner or later.

allovertown · #**680** Posted **Feb 25, 2015, 9:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmikeyphilly

Yeah, that hole is pretty deep. They couldn't be digging that deep for soil samples? The only thing that came to mind, is that they could be excavating for treasures? Like historical treasures? But I doubt that though, since there was already a building on this site from the early 20th Century. Maybe this is the start of construction, after all? I thought caissons would be present, but I don't recall anyone posting about that. Guess we'll see sooner or later.

Bad news guys. Just got word this whole tower was nothing but a big rouse to give blenfest an excuse to hunt for historical treasures nick cage style.