Great! Exactly what the original article needed. As much as I think the (rather ugly) memorial park was a bad idea (as opposed to some sort of marker), I can see that its site is rather narrow. It shouldn't make a huge difference to what Brandywine can do with the large neighboring parcel. Maybe it will be an attractive leisure spot for residents or workers in the prospective development. From this perspective, it would simply be an extension of the Mutter Museum's front courtyard, which will allow a glimpse of that gem from Market.
Knock it all down and put up two 40+ floors of mixed-use highrises. This is part of the central core and should have high rises only.
I'm just speculating, but the low-rise conversions on the 21st Street side are described as future RENTAL lofts and offices. Maybe, for whatever reason, Brandywine was unable to acquire the third property, and will earn some income while they wait for it to become available on favorable terms (for whatever purpose they may have in mind). Another possibility is that they want to develop the larger parcel first and then move on to "phase II" on the smaller parcel (again earning rental income in the interim), with no interest in the remaining property. Whatever the case, I'm sure that they're taking a long-term view of this block. Grouse as we may about the stunted 1919 development, it still is contextually appropriate. I'm sure what happens in this block will be too.
So it turns out the property Basciano did not own (and never did) is 2102 Market, which is owned by somebody named "Antipas" out of Cherry Hill. Basciano's 2100 block holdings are under STB Investments -- those are what Brandywine acquired. I spent less than five minutes firing up this baby up.
I'm starting to get curious how big their pipeline can be. They can certainly develop from 2116 west to the memorial park as-is, and I wouldn't be surprised if they try to bundle 2200-2014 into a single development site (the fire station being an issue, however).
So it turns out the property Basciano did not own (and never did) is 2102 Market, which is owned by somebody named "Antipas" out of Cherry Hill. Basciano's 2100 block holdings are under STB Investments -- those are what Brandywine acquired. I spent less than five minutes firing up this baby up.
I'm starting to get curious how big their pipeline can be. They can certainly develop from 2116 west to the memorial park as-is, and I wouldn't be surprised if they try to bundle 2200-2014 into a single development site (the fire station being an issue, however).
If Apple Maps are correct, 2102 is right in the middle of the two other buildings at that corner. Guaranteed that Brandywine wants it eventually. As for the firehouse in the middle of the block, I'm sure that they'll figure a way around that if their plans require it. Promising to build the City a shiny new station would surely do it. As long as there's continuous coverage for that part of town, I don't think that the City would refuse to budge.
If Apple Maps are correct, 2102 is right in the middle of the two other buildings at that corner. Guaranteed that Brandywine wants it eventually. As for the firehouse in the middle of the block, I'm sure that they'll figure a way around that if their plans require it. Promising to build the City a shiny new station would surely do it. As long as there's continuous coverage for that part of town, I don't think that the City would refuse to budge.
I think this part of town would have to be much hotter to justify such an expense. In addition, the chances of finding a suitable site in this immediate area are slim, especially as development in center city increases. I think Brandywine has to come up with a profitable use for what they already own before they worry about convincing the city to vacate that fire house for some mega project.
The recently purchased properties are very important pieces in the next development cycle in Center City, especially since there’s just not a lot of large parcels left, and they are getting into the hands of well-funded and respected developers.
As a result, these sites present real opportunities. Once developed, they will reshape the western portion of Center City as it marches west and looks to connect with University City -— something planners and economic development officials have long wanted — a connection between the financial district with its hub of educational institutions.
It's disappointing that the owners of 2102 do not want to sell. They must be waiting for a huge pay day. Now again, if the city had a land-based tax instead of a usage tax, the owners would have unloaded it years ago. But the fact that this property sits right smack in the middle of the other two explains why Brandywine is looking at a short term investment for 2100 and 2104. Brandywine is a major builder and I was surprised that they would spend time and energy rehabbing two shitty 3 story buildings but it makes sense.
In the meantime, the western end of the block is ready and waiting to be developed, so the eastern end can wait. Eventually, 2102 will be purchased, I'm sure.
As for the fire station, I recall reading here that the City has zero intention on ever moving. From what I understand, the city likes having a fire station on Market Street b/c the width of the street makes it easier for the fire trucks. Again, that's from memory, not first hand knowledge. Whatever the actual situation is with the fire house, I'm certain that Brandywine did their due diligence.
I'm all for it, as long as it doesn't poach companies from Philly. Look, NYC has Jersey City (and a half dozen other satellite cities with very respectable skylines); Philadelphia deserves our own version. And now that the Delaware Riverfront is starting to come together (a little), it would be nice to have something across the river that's pleasant to look at.
Yes this would be great , but I'm not holding my breath . The finished
product could take another five to eight years , and who knows what
economic conditions may exist over that period .
PS ; Camden poaching business from Philly , would be like making a
silk purse from a pigs ear .
__________________
.....Words that are heavy with trouble :
" Tinker to Evers to Chance ."
It's disappointing that the owners of 2102 do not want to sell. They must be waiting for a huge pay day. Now again, if the city had a land-based tax instead of a usage tax, the owners would have unloaded it years ago. But the fact that this property sits right smack in the middle of the other two explains why Brandywine is looking at a short term investment for 2100 and 2104. Brandywine is a major builder and I was surprised that they would spend time and energy rehabbing two shitty 3 story buildings but it makes sense.
In the meantime, the western end of the block is ready and waiting to be developed, so the eastern end can wait. Eventually, 2102 will be purchased, I'm sure.
As for the fire station, I recall reading here that the City has zero intention on ever moving. From what I understand, the city likes having a fire station on Market Street b/c the width of the street makes it easier for the fire trucks. Again, that's from memory, not first hand knowledge. Whatever the actual situation is with the fire house, I'm certain that Brandywine did their due diligence.
Re the fire station: That was my recollection as well.
So just for clarification, Brandywine did not buy the collapse site? That is still Basciano?
Depends upon what you mean by the "collapse site." The location of the thrift store, where the victims were killed, was the corner property. That's now the memorial site, and is not part of the developable tract. As I read it, the empty lot that resulted from the botched demolition -- that sent a wall collapsing westward into the thrift store -- IS included in the Brandywine purchase.
I think this part of town would have to be much hotter to justify such an expense. In addition, the chances of finding a suitable site in this immediate area are slim, especially as development in center city increases. I think Brandywine has to come up with a profitable use for what they already own before they worry about convincing the city to vacate that fire house for some mega project.
I certainly wasn't suggesting that anything was on the horizon. If Brandywine wants a contiguous parcel SOMEDAY, I'm just saying that they can surely find a way to incorporate a new fire station in that block -- or build one for the city a block further down on Market (mostly surface lots on both sides). My point is that Brandywine has options and that the fire station is a significant issue, but not the Rock of Gibraltar.
I'm all for it, as long as it doesn't poach companies from Philly. Look, NYC has Jersey City (and a half dozen other satellite cities with very respectable skylines); Philadelphia deserves our own version. And now that the Delaware Riverfront is starting to come together (a little), it would be nice to have something across the river that's pleasant to look at.
I believe it.
The way I see the camden thing is this:
All this money from the NJ EDA is going to be disbursed no matter what. The last go around, it almost exclusively went to north jersey projects. This time, the Norcross people are making sure South Jersey gets more than it's fair share. If NJ is going to foolishly spend billions on development projects - better it happens in Philadelphia's backyard than in Hoboken or New Brunswick. At the end of the day, having a urban wasteland heroin market across the river isn't good for the city - what's good for Camden is good for philly.
I see Camden developing as almost an urban office park, giving Philly one more large employment center that residents can easily access. Navy Yard, Center City, U City and now Camden all accessible within 15 for most within inner city Philly. It's all good for us
All this money from the NJ EDA is going to be disbursed no matter what. The last go around, it almost exclusively went to north jersey projects. This time, the Norcross people are making sure South Jersey gets more than it's fair share. If NJ is going to foolishly spend billions on development projects - better it happens in Philadelphia's backyard than in Hoboken or New Brunswick. At the end of the day, having a urban wasteland heroin market across the river isn't good for the city - what's good for Camden is good for philly.
I see Camden developing as almost an urban office park, giving Philly one more large employment center that residents can easily access. Navy Yard, Center City, U City and now Camden all accessible within 15 for most within inner city Philly. It's all good for us
Great! Exactly what the original article needed. As much as I think the (rather ugly) memorial park was a bad idea (as opposed to some sort of marker), I can see that its site is rather narrow. It shouldn't make a huge difference to what Brandywine can do with the large neighboring parcel. Maybe it will be an attractive leisure spot for residents or workers in the prospective development. From this perspective, it would simply be an extension of the Mutter Museum's front courtyard, which will allow a glimpse of that gem from Market.
very much agree with you. I don't think having this sliver of greenspace "relief" threatens the development potential of the sit in the least. In fact depending on the design of it, it will enhance the site's amenties and the Mutter museum.
very much agree with you. I don't think having this sliver of greenspace "relief" threatens the development potential of the sit in the least. In fact depending on the design of it, it will enhance the site's amenties and the Mutter museum.
This might be true if the park was be designed to fit in with whatever Liberty is building and compliment the Mutter Museum. None of that true though. This ugly mess of a "park" is being built as though it's the only thing in the world with zero context of what is around and whatever Liberty ends up building. This thing is just too ugly for words.
I mean look at this insane piece of crap! This rendering also shows that you're wrong to call this park a greenspace... or even a park really. This thing is going to be basically an extension of the sidewalk with three giant glowing tombstones growing out of it. At this point this park is nearly a bigger tragedy than the actual building collapse.
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