When WE are against high rise development, you know something must be very very wrong. I have less of an issue with losing these buildings than the fact that doing so could potentially be the death knell of Jewlers Row. But that's not to say I'm okay with losing these buildings. There's just far too many parking lots in the area to justify tearing down historic buildings. The fact that the developer is big, bad McMansion building Toll Bros. Their recent development on South Street (without retail!) is awful.
This whole toll concept makes me want to throw up... Look we are all pro development here but this is going way to far. They are truly an evil corporation that has no respect for what and where they build. There are so many derelict buildings and vacant lots to build on that there is absolutely no need to destroy our amazing intact historical building stock. Please if you don't mind guys, sign this petition to stop this abomination from happening.. thanks!
You wonder if they've actually ever set foot on Jeweler's row before moving forward with this project?
I'm picturing the brain trust in the suburbs looking at an aerial Google Maps - seeing their properties in Gho, Society Hill - then seeing a hole in their donut and going, "hey this looks pretty central, good property values in the area, let's build it here."
Where are the Jeweler's row guys? IS there not any sort of coalition or business entity? It's amazing that this seems to be sailing under the radar, yet when one local PAC proposes eliminating parking on the S. Broad median it's like epic, can't-escape-it, regional news.
^they are really idiots for taking such a contentious path. Also- why are they trying to build such short buildings in Philly? I recall reading something a while back where Toll suggested the economics in Philly don't support hi rise construction. If that be the case I'm not sure how 500 walnut and One Riverside are being built. Instead of this 16 story building in a location that will draw fire- why not build on a parking lot or another location and give us something 30+ floors to really compete with 1911 Walnut and SLS.
This is great, not one voice of support. Where is the on line petition?
I would imagine that by Toll's standards they think their Philly projects are big hits, meaning they sell, but as far as I know everyone of their 3 or 4 developments have been panned big time in the architectural world. Why would anyone think this would be any different. But even with that as a backdrop, if Toll were purposing a building to replace a parking lot, more power to them------even if it were a high rise vision of their crappy colonials.
Yea... I don't even understand this proposal. Did they really think they wouldn't have an issue tearing down a quarter of Jeweler's Row? This proposal just makes zero sense. Even if they're eventually successful, it's going to take forever, will likely force them to preserve at least some of the facades of these buildings and may even force them to have first floor retail and restrict the type of tenants they can have in those space to maintain the character of Jewelers' Row. All in all it seems like an enormous headache. No idea why they would even bother when there are so many low hanging fruit in this area.
Demo permit is for 702-710 Sansom and 128 South 7th. Realistically speaking, this is happening. The site is zoned CMX5 (the most permissive classification for commercial/retail), nothing listed for demo is on any sort of historic registry (as far as I can tell) and the demo permits have already been issued, which precludes any sort of last minute appeal to the historical commission. The only thing stopping Toll is public opinion, and good luck with that. As far as I can tell all Toll has to do is follow the normal path (Civic design review, standard permits) and they can do pretty much whatever they want, as long as it doesn't require a variance (which you can bet they will make sure they don't need).
1154... The block needs some work, however a 16 story building, a half a block wide, built by Toll, you gotta be kidding me. I wanna have a beer with the guys, listen politely to why they decided this was a good idea, then forcefully shove it back down their throats because who the F do they think they are? They want to destroy the things we as a city take pride in? As a (future) historian this could not aggravate me more. IF this goes through, whatever they spend on it, I want to see just as much money put into improving the rest of the row. Which isn't going to happen so again screw them, screw this, I'm sure there's some old buildings in Dallas they can knock over instead
Imagine if 1154 ppl showed up at tolls HQ to protest... that's what it would take. At this point I'd settle for a facadectomy if we can't save the whole structures. What a backwards ass city we live in.
Unfortunately you can go to the ZBA all you want, but this project will never, ever go before that committee. As long as they stay within the very permissive zoning of the site the ZBA has no jurisdiction.
Unfortunately you can go to the ZBA all you want, but this project will never, ever go before that committee. As long as they stay within the very permissive zoning of the site the ZBA has no jurisdiction.
L&i could sit on the permit and just not issue it. That would be the only way to stop it, they still need to review the demo plan. It probably wouldn't be legal and toll could probably sue the city but that's just about the only option. Crazy that the row wasn't landmarked by the city years ago
Roberto Pupa, owner of 706-10 Sansom St., said he had no agreement to sell his property and knew nothing about Toll's plans.
"They mentioned something, but there was no offer," he said. "I walk up and down the street and make offers to everyone. It doesn't mean anything. Zero."
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