PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread

[summersm343]

Bloc23 - 23rd and Bainbridge - condos/retail - 4 floors
Update from Naked Philly



http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/graduate-hospital/pods-are-descending-at-23rd-bainbridge

[summersm343]

SugarHouse Casino Adds $164M Expansion

SugarHouse Casino has added a $164M expansion, extending its footprint farther north along the Delaware River. The expansion was designed by Cope Linder Architects, which also led the initial construction of the casino that finished back in 2010. The addition totals 152k SF, and includes more gaming floors and tables, slot machines, dining and entertainment. It also includes a seven-story parking garage with a capacity for 1,500 vehicles.

The five new dining options added in the expansion include a Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House, which will have riverfront terrace seating. A 10k SF concert venue is part of the new structure as well. The parking garage's façade has been adorned with a light box display (above) as part of the City of Philadelphia's Public Art Program.

Read more at: https://www.bisnow.com/philadelphia/news/hotel/sugarhouse-casino-164m-expansion-68313

[McBane]

Originally Posted by samohtffej8

much better view while walking to work
before renovations:



currently:

Wow. Just wow. The DL always looked so amazing, even in it's dilapidated state. But I wasn't prepared for this. I just didn't think it could be so much better but it is. Reminds me of some of the pre-war apartment houses that face Central Park. I just wish it was taller because something this beautiful deserves to be a visible part of our skyline.

[jjv007]

Originally Posted by McBane

Wow. Just wow. The DL always looked so amazing, even in it's dilapidated state. But I wasn't prepared for this. I just didn't think it could be so much better but it is. Reminds me of some of the pre-war apartment houses that face Central Park. I just wish it was taller because something this beautiful deserves to be a visible part of our skyline.

Is it just me or does the worn, old look actually look better in these pictures? ^^
(Still love the renovations though, and the newly lit sign)

[summersm343]

Target aiming for space in S. Broad St.'s Lincoln Square project, filing shows

Target Corp. is looking to open a store in the Lincoln Square mixed-use complex under development on South Broad Street, as the retailer continues its push into some of Philadelphia's most densely populated neighborhoods, according to a recent court filing.

Target's original aim had been to include a 35,000-square-foot store in a project proposed by developer Bart Blatstein right across Broad Street from Lincoln Square, but it changed its focus after Blatstein's project was delayed by a dispute over the underlying property's sale, according to documents filed last month with Philadelphia's Common Pleas Court.

The Lincoln Square project consists of a new apartment building along Washington Avenue with 322 residential units and lower-floor retail. A separate retail structure along the north of the site incorporates a historic train shed.

Project plans submitted to the city's design-review board show a grocery store in the train-shed structure, implying that Target would likely to occupy space available for large-format retail on the apartment building's second floor.

Read more here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/re...road--Washington-legal-filing-shows.html

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Target aiming for space in S. Broad St.'s Lincoln Square project, filing shows

Project plans submitted to the city's design-review board show a grocery store in the train-shed structure, implying that Target would likely to occupy space available for large-format retail on the apartment building's second floor.

That's great. And the fact that they're not taking the large space intended for a grocery store means that there's still hope for something along the lines of a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or Wegmans (it's not likely, but there's still a chance) in this. Even a Fresh Grocer would do wonders here in spurring development along Washington and South Broad.

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

That's great. And the fact that they're not taking the large space intended for a grocery store means that there's still hope for something along the lines of a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or Wegmans (it's not likely, but there's still a chance) in this. Even a Fresh Grocer would do wonders here in spurring development along Washington and South Broad.

I'm expecting a Wakefern grocer in the site. (Wakefern = Shop Rite, Fresh Grocer.) It's quite close to both the South Street and East Passyunk Acmes, and to the South Street Whole Foods, and is also quite large for what Trader Joe's usually likes, leaving Wakefern as the most likely tenant for the parcel.

Also color me absolutely unsurprised that Target is going into this project. I'm pretty sure that the second floor retail is where it's gonna go.

[jsbrook]

Renovations finally progressing at the storefront on the 1500 block of Chestnut next to the Five Guys. Not sure if it was ever announced what this will be.

[1487]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

Renovations finally progressing at the storefront on the 1500 block of Chestnut next to the Five Guys. Not sure if it was ever announced what this will be.

that has been a mess for years. I can't believe such a prime property has languished for so long.

I did some looking around on the L&I permit map site to see if there was anything new and the only things I found were new permits for Lincoln Square (which people are reporting is underway) and a foundation permit for the 170 unit apt building at National Products site. Nothing new on 1910 chestnut, 3650 Market, 401 race, SLS, etc. There has also been a zoning permit filed for the 4+Callowhill site to combine the 2 lots.

edit: building permits and sidewalk shed permit for gallery have been issued within last month or so. Finally.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by 1487

that has been a mess for years. I can't believe such a prime property has languished for so long.

I did some looking around on the L&I permit map site to see if there was anything new and the only things I found were new permits for Lincoln Square (which people are reporting is underway) and a foundation permit for the 170 unit apt building at National Products site. Nothing new on 1910 chestnut, 3650 Market, 401 race, SLS, etc. There has also been a zoning permit filed for the 4+Callowhill site to combine the 2 lots.

edit: building permits and sidewalk shed permit for gallery have been issued within last month or so. Finally.

Much of the 1500 block is a mess...but it's turning over. The Post Brothers will renovate the building across the street. The Dollar Store vacated, but there are two other tenants with leases that are winding down (I think through 2017), so renovations won't happen until they are out. Of course, we have the W going up the next block over.

I vaguely remember hearing something about a boutique hotel in this particular space, but I might be making that up (I believe the upper floors, and not just the ground floor, are vacant too). I sort of wish the Art of Shaving was going there. It is closing this month because rents on Walnut have become too expensive. Gillette has not found a replacement spot to date.

[summersm343]

A move to take over a derelict, dangerous Callowhill property is initiated

A petition has been filed to appoint a so-called conservator to take possession, launch an environmental remediation and possibly the eventual demolition of a hulking Center City property known as the Willow Street Steam Generation Plant.

Considered an eyesore and a blight in the burgeoning Callowhill neighborhood, Scioli Turco Inc. has filed documents in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to start the process of getting the building under its control. The Philadelphia nonprofit initiated the effort under the state’s Abandoned and Blighted Properties Conservatorship Act that was adopted in 2009 as a tool to fight blight and revitalize older communities.

Scioli Turco of Philadelphia was formed in 2011 for the sole purpose of becoming a conservator of such properties and has taken on that role with roughly 70 sites throughout the city. The Willow Street Steam Generation Plant on almost an acre at 411-419 N. 9 St. is the largest property it has taken on.

The steam plant was built by the Philadelphia Electric Co. in 1927 and ceased operating in 1989. Its ownership over the decades involved several different companies and ultimately it was bought in 2005 by Quyen V. Tran of Philadelphia, according to court documents and Philadelphia property records. Attempts to reach Tran were unsuccessful.

The property has deteriorated as it sat vacant for the last three decades, according to court documents. It lacks flooring, which makes entry into the structure hazardous. It is filled with asbestos, “which has made private development difficult – if not cost prohibitive,” the documents said. It has been cited for several violations and sealed off to prevent someone from entering it and potentially being injured.

Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla approached Scioli Turco to undertake the process of getting the nonprofit named as conservator and put the property on a track to becoming less of an eyesore. The property is in Squilla's district.

“It’s blighted, it has had no developers, no buyers and this is a way to get it back on the tax rolls, have it spruced up and help it improve the area,” said Anne Kelly King, Squilla’s chief of staff. “It’s hard to say what will happen but this is the first step in hopefully getting it developed.”

The area surrounding the plant has seen investment and gentrification in recent years. More development activity is expected as the former Reading Viaduct is transformed into Philadelphia’s version of New York’s High Line. That is one of the main reasons the property is being targeted for conservancy.

“Whether it’s Scioli Turco as conservator or the present owner, at some point someone is going to have to do something with this property,” he said. “It can’t sit and be riddled with asbestos, numerous L&I violations and be a blighting influence on an area of Philadelphia that ought to be growing.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...e-to-take-over-a-derelict-dangerous.html

[summersm343]

Modular luxury condo building drops in Graduate Hospital

A modular condo building is currently being dropped pod by pod at 2300 Bainbridge in Graduate Hospital.

The project, dubbed Bloc23, broke ground last year and began installing the already constructed condo units last week, Naked Philly reports.

In total, the 4-story project, designed by LabHaus, will include 23 high-end condos and underground parking. The condos range from $579,000 for a 2-bedroom, 1-bath unit on the second floor to a $1.449 million 3-bedroom, 3-bath penthouse on the fourth level.

It’s taken some time for 55,000-square-foot Bloc23 to get off the ground. The project was first announced around 2011, and it received zoning approval in 2012. By October 2015, nine units had already sold, and a retail tenant—apparently a grocery store—signed on soon after.

Developer Stephen Rodriguez tells Curbed Philly that six units are still for sale, and the ground-floor retailer will be announced early next year.

http://philly.curbed.com/2016/12/6/13853848/graduate-hospital-bloc23-prefab-condos-for-sale

[summersm343]

UCD breaks ground on Portal Gardens at 40th Street trolley stop



http://planphilly.com/articles/2016/12/0...rtal-gardens-at-40th-street-trolley-stop

[Philly Fan]

Non-profit care provider Elwyn looking to sell University City property

Elwyn is looking to sell the property at 40th and Market Streets to become more flexible and dispersed in its use of space, the organization's president, Sandra Cornelius, said in a release on Wednesday.

Jason Kramer, a senior vice president with Binswanger, said in the release that his company has been receiving queries about the Elwyn property from both regional and national investors, as well as from private equity firms.

[summersm343]

^^Very nice. I was confused where the building was at first, but it actually sits on the corner of 41st and Market. It's a large building with a surface parking lot next door as a part of the property.

Maybe Elwyn can move into a new uCity Square office building? Or maybe 4.0 University Place? The square footage they take up in 4040 Market is 40,000 square feet.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by summersm343

^^Very nice. I was confused where the building was at first, but it actually sits on the corner of 41st and Market. It's a large building with a surface parking lot next door as a part of the property.

Maybe Elwyn can move into a new uCity Square office building? Or maybe 4.0 University Place? The square footage they take up in 4040 Market is 40,000 square feet.

Yeah, I was confused also, until I used the Google Maps machine:

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9574727,...q-9nBAcr4l39Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

It's definitely more like 41st and Market than 40th and Market.

And my instincts tell me that Elwyn WON'T be moving into either of the new office buildings you mentioned. Probably WAY above its price range, and not really consistent with what it does (providing care for the disabled and disadvantaged). I suspect that its property just became too valuable for development for it NOT to put it on the market (no pun intended) to take advantage of its increased value.

[Knight Hospitaller]

^Without getting into details, I've been led to believe that Elwyn is struggling financially.

[summersm343]

Lincoln Square - Broad and Washington - luxury apartments/commercial/retail - 9 floors
Update from Building Philly - site prep is starting





https://www.facebook.com/BuildingPhilly

[1487]

we wanted to see action at broad and washington and we finally have it, just not at the corner that has garnered so much attention over the years.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Lincoln Square - Broad and Washington - luxury apartments/commercial/retail - 9 floors
Update from Building Philly - site prep is starting :cheers
https://www.facebook.com/BuildingPhilly

Damn, we could have had such a sweet view of this project from the rooftop village.