PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by Sgalla04

It doesn't need to meet the street well. It is on the other side of the canal. So it's tucked behind buildings that are on Main St. The reason there is no retail on the bottom floor is because every so often when there is a huge storm Venice Island floods because of the Schuylkill River. The ground level is just for parking. Pretty smart of the developers finding "new" land in Manayunk. However, I do agree that it is pretty ugly from the Schuylkill Expressway when driving by.

Is the 2 million gallon tank for when the river floods under Venice Island too?

[summersm343]

The Divine Lorraine’s iconic signs light up again after 4 decades

Currently, the lobby restoration is underway and the apartments will be move-in ready by the end of this year. CBRE is currently seeking tenants for a cafe and two restaurants, one of which will be located in the annex building that will be converted into a boutique hotel.

The facade of the north-facing side of the Divine Lorraine has been restored, and crews will begin work on the south side, removing graffiti, this week.

Billy Procida of Procida Funding & Advisors, provided a $34 million loan for the project. He said despite his New York roots, “This is the best project I’ve ever been a part of.”

http://philly.curbed.com/2016/11/10/13583088/divine-lorraine-sign-lighting-photos

[summersm343]

Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House is now leasing

We’ve been waiting for more details on the restoration of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House, a hulking abandoned theater on North Broad Street that has certainly seen better days. And while the main tenant has been hush-hush for months, it looks like the owners are actively seeking other tenants to lease out the rest of the enormous 39,2000-square-foot space.

Yesterday, just one day after the Divine Lorraine’s iconic signs lit up North Broad again down the street, CBRE put out a call that the Metropolitan Opera House was for lease. According to the brochure, up to 5,600 square feet is available on the ground floor and there’s potential for a 20,000-square-foot roof deck.

Last May, he and funder Billy Procida told potential investors that one of the “nation’s biggest concert promoters” would be the theater’s main tenant.

In October, EB Realty’s Chris Cordaro told Curbed Philly that they still couldn’t share any specific details, but that “there’s plenty going on and we’ll be making an exciting announcement formally.”

The brochure does state that whoever ends of leasing the rest of the building will be co-tenants with an “entertainment concept” by Avram Hornick and a catering facility by Chef’s Market. Hornick is behind the popular Philly haunts like Morgan’s Pier and Union Transfer.

The restoration is expected to cost $35 million, Blumenfeld said in May. Local architecture firm AOS Architects is leading the re-design efforts.

http://philly.curbed.com/2016/11/11/13597186/philadelphia-metropolitan-opera-house-leasing

[1487]

^that's definitely good news. Hopefully we see more evidence that work is underway soon

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by 1487

^that's definitely good news. Hopefully we see more evidence that work is underway soon

I believe they're doing interior work right now.

[Hrytsyu]

Originally Posted by summersm343

I don't think it should be historically certified. It's pretty damn ugly. I wouldn't mind it being demolished along with every other building on this stretch along the south side of the 1000 block of Market Street to make way for a shiny new mixed-use tower.

Please recall that in the 1950's the same sentiment was expressed about Philadelphia City Hall. Currently, an endless stream of tourists capture pictorial images of City Hall. And they should.

I notice nobody makes pictorial images of shiny 1234 Market.

Concerning the Robinson Building potential for a flash billboard, reexamine images of the Robinson building with the lit sign intact. Hence, you seem to recognize its projection value, after all.

[Hrytsyu]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Is the 2 million gallon tank for when the river floods under Venice Island too?

No, its not especially attractive although my viewing opportunity was today, Saturday 12 November, while primarily contending with wild traffic conditions. I recall it looking silvery. That was interesting, especially compared to the massive stucco and vinyl siding construct on the suburban side.

By nature, and by intention, the hidden reservoir is a flood abatement (retention) device. I don't recall where I learned about its inclusion. and perhaps mandate, as I read about it several years ago.

[shadowbat2]

Steele Building update:
Steele Building November 2016 by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

Steele Building November 2016 by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

[shadowbat2]

A sign that the Gallery conversion is getting serious:
New escalators inside the former Gallery by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

[shadowbat2]

Passyunk Avenue updates:
King of Jeans site by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

Future resturant by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

[shadowbat2]

Southwark At Reed (Mount Sinai Hospitalsite):
Southwark At Reed (Mount Sinai Hospital site) November, 2016 by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

Southwark At Reed (Mount Sinai Hospital site) November, 2016 by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

Southwark At Reed (Mount Sinai Hospital site) November, 2016 by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

Southwark At Reed (Mount Sinai Hospital site) November, 2016 by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

Southwark At Reed (Mount Sinai Hospital site) November, 2016 by tehshadowbat, on Flickr

[Arch+Eng]

Have't been to Rittenhouse in a long time. How is Castle Blatstein coming?

Edit: NVM. Google Street view is pretty recent. Link

[EastSideHBG]

Amtrak seeking developer for former 'Cira II' site near 30th Street Station
Updated: NOVEMBER 15, 2016 — 8:00 AM EST
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/re...ra-II-site-near-30th-Street-Station.html

[summersm343]

Remaking Sharswood: PHA celebrates 57 new rental units built at edge of Blumberg site

http://planphilly.com/articles/2016/11/1...tal-units-built-at-edge-of-blumberg-site


First phase of $500 million North Philly housing project finished

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/201611...rth_Philly_housing_project_finished.html

[summersm343]

CDR Submissions

St. Rita Place and Cascia Center - Broad and Ellsworth - 1148 S. Broad - senior housing/commercial - 5 floors



Link:
http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projec...%20Place%20and%20Cascia%20Center_CDR.PDF


4136 Mitchell St. - Manayunk - luxury apartments/retail - 6 floors



Link:
http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projec...LL%20STREET_CDR%20Package_10.17.2016.pdf


CDR Re-submission

4442 Ridge Ave. - East Falls - luxury apartments/retail - 5 floors



Link:
http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/PDF/4442%20RIDGE%20AVE_CDR_11.15.2016.pdf

[1487]

its good to see some density going in up in NW Philly. There is no reason not to have more apt units up there.

[Groundhog]

Does the St. Rita Place and Cascia Center have any outward facing commercial?

I see they have meeting space and conference rooms, but would have loved to see this have some retail options that interact with non-church goers. That being said I understand who is building this and, all things considered, would just be happy to see this built.

[tsarstruck]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Does the St. Rita Place and Cascia Center have any outward facing commercial?

I see they have meeting space and conference rooms, but would have loved to see this have some retail options that interact with non-church goers. That being said I understand who is building this and, all things considered, would just be happy to see this built.

Nope. I'm just glad it's not this travesty:

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by tsarstruck

Nope. I'm just glad it's not this travesty:

That is exactly why I said "all things considered". It still blows my mind that someone would think that a 1 story shed a good idea at this location. You have to at least give them credit for being open minded enough to listen to others and see the light. This center won't be amazing, but it is a HUGE improvement over what is and what might have been there.

[Baconboy007]

Originally Posted by 1487

its good to see some density going in up in NW Philly. There is no reason not to have more apt units up there.

Hopefully this will help spur more commercial and better restaurants on ridge and north of Manayunk Ave. As is we're losing one of our better options the development where Deke's BBQ has shifted to residential. I'm pretty pissed about that one. If you haven't tried their BBQ yet I suggest giving it a try, all you can eat buffet for $12 Thursday through Sunday. It is delicious!!!