PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread - Page 360

cafeguy · #**7181** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 3:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Permit granted for mystery grocer on sprawling South Philly waterfront property

Read more here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Pe...oxwoods-site-on-S-Philly-waterfront.html

If residential had a chance here, it would not happen with a giant parking lot and auto-centric design. My guess is that we will never see residential, and if we do, it'll be 20 years from now. And if they do build residential, I'm just gonna look at those people renting/buying there with the weirdest stare and say, "really? I mean...if thats what you want, just go to jersey and get it for cheaper...or I mean...live in one of the other billion luxury buildings that are ACTUALLY in the city." We'll see!!!

SEFTA · #**7182** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 4:58 AM**

Bart Blatstein is the worst.

reparcsyks · #**7183** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 11:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEFTA

Bart Blatstein is the worst.

Amen. He has zero vision, except, "how much money can I make?"

Anyone who thinks that Columbus Blvd needs a suburban style Wawa with gas station is an enemy of good urban design.

SEFTA · #**7184** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 3:53 PM**

"The Grays Ferry Swing Bridge would be the next major step in the Schuylkill River Trail’s march to connect the Delaware all the way to Pottsville, enabling the trail to cross the river at Gray’s Ferry Crescent to link up to Bartram’s Mile, the mile long path through Bartram’s Garden which should open in spring."

http://planphilly.com/articles/2017/01/0...on-schuylkill-river-swing-bridge-project

summersm343 · #**7185** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 4:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEFTA

"The Grays Ferry Swing Bridge would be the next major step in the Schuylkill River Trail’s march to connect the Delaware all the way to Pottsville, enabling the trail to cross the river at Gray’s Ferry Crescent to link up to Bartram’s Mile, the mile long path through Bartram’s Garden which should open in spring."

http://planphilly.com/articles/2017/01/0...on-schuylkill-river-swing-bridge-project

Then we will just need the portion of the path built between Christian Street and Gray's Ferry Crescent.

1487 · #**7186** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 4:31 PM**

The Brickstone projects on Chestnut have totally stalled. The properties next to the Collins as well as the Hale building project which others have noted stalled many, many months ago. Anyone have any idea what is going on? Both locations look like hell currently. Chestnut east of broad continues to struggle to fill in retail gaps. Now the old liquor store is vacant with no signs of a new tenant.

Knight Hospitaller · #**7187** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 4:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by reparcsyks

Amen. He has zero vision, except, "how much money can I make?"

Anyone who thinks that Columbus Blvd needs a suburban style Wawa with gas station is an enemy of good urban design.

He probably isn't making as much money as he could, since he has a hard time getting things done.

SEFTA · #**7188** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 5:00 PM**

Many of Blatstein's projects might have been passed if he wouldn't over reach so much. Specifically Broad & Washington. I wouldn't have minded a tower at that location, but these monsters! If they would have just some contextual-ism, a thoughtful scale considering the historic value of this location. The project would have passed instead of this. Dude you can afford to hire an architect!

frbrown · #**7189** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 5:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Then we will just need the portion of the path built between Christian Street and Gray's Ferry Crescent.

It's been proposed and is planned to start construction in 2018. We'll see how that pans out.

Speaking of the Schuylkill trail, does anyone know how the South --> Christian street expansion is coming along? The anticipated opening was last month but I don't believe its there yet. I haven't thought to check but I'll try and take a look.

Once this is all hooked up and continues through Bartram's Mile, the path will really be a spectacular part of the city.

Kidphilly · #**7190** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 6:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Permit granted for mystery grocer on sprawling South Philly waterfront property

Read more here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Pe...oxwoods-site-on-S-Philly-waterfront.html

Wegmans?

New2Fishtown · #**7191** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 6:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by frbrown

It's been proposed and is planned to start construction in 2018. We'll see how that pans out.

Speaking of the Schuylkill trail, does anyone know how the South --> Christian street expansion is coming along? The anticipated opening was last month but I don't believe its there yet. I haven't thought to check but I'll try and take a look.

Once this is all hooked up and continues through Bartram's Mile, the path will really be a spectacular part of the city.

Delayed at least 6 months as of yesterday: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/real-...-South-to-Christian-segment-delayed.html

New2Fishtown · #**7192** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 6:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

The Brickstone projects on Chestnut have totally stalled. The properties next to the Collins as well as the Hale building project which others have noted stalled many, many months ago. Anyone have any idea what is going on? Both locations look like hell currently. Chestnut east of broad continues to struggle to fill in retail gaps. Now the old liquor store is vacant with no signs of a new tenant.

The project just east of the Collins and the Hale are both office projects, and neither will move forward without a signed lease from an office tenant. I'd heard of a tenant signed at the Hale, hence the initial flurry of activity, but I imagine they must've walked away or they must be deadlocked in negotiations. I don't think Brickstone is in a position to build either one speculatively, or at least they don't feel like doing so as that exposes them to a lot of risk. I guess the plus side is that both projects will be relatively speedy if and when they do sign office tenants.

The thing that amazes me is the seeming lack of any interest in the huge retail spaces still available at the collins on the 2nd floor. the visibility and co-tenancy are fantastic, the demand for big box retailers is supposedly high, and yet...

1487 · #**7193** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 7:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by New2Fishtown

The project just east of the Collins and the Hale are both office projects, and neither will move forward without a signed lease from an office tenant. I'd heard of a tenant signed at the Hale, hence the initial flurry of activity, but I imagine they must've walked away or they must be deadlocked in negotiations. I don't think Brickstone is in a position to build either one speculatively, or at least they don't feel like doing so as that exposes them to a lot of risk. I guess the plus side is that both projects will be relatively speedy if and when they do sign office tenants.

The thing that amazes me is the seeming lack of any interest in the huge retail spaces still available at the collins on the 2nd floor. the visibility and co-tenancy are fantastic, the demand for big box retailers is supposedly high, and yet...

are they doing the Steele building on 11th street?

summersm343 · #**7194** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 8:01 PM**

Apartments and Market Planned for Mitchell Street in Manyunk

http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/manayunk/apartments-and-market-planned-for-mitchell-street

Southwark on Reed is Moving Quickly

http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/pennsport/southwark-on-reed-is-moving-quickly

New2Fishtown · #**7195** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 8:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

are they doing the Steele building on 11th street?

Yes, that project moved forward once a lease was signed for the 2nd-5th floors of the building. It should be finished within the next month or so.

summersm343 · #**7196** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 8:58 PM**

^^Yep Steele building is under renovations. A lot of work every time I walk by.

I believe the small building next to the Collins is underway. There was work happening last time I walked by a few weeks ago.

Hale Building does seem staled. I would assume they're waiting for a tenant here though.

hammersklavier · #**7197** Posted **Jan 6, 2017, 11:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEFTA

Bart Blatstein is the worst.

Meanwhile, the Pier 70 Superfresh is still sitting vacant.

I'm just as confused as you are.

Larry King · #**7198** Posted **Jan 7, 2017, 12:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by reparcsyks

Amen. He has zero vision, except, "how much money can I make?"

Anyone who thinks that Columbus Blvd needs a suburban style Wawa with gas station is an enemy of good urban design.

You gotta give Bart credit for making significant (much needed) investments in Atlantic City right now, that's a town that needs believers. And what's so bad about a wawa or a supermarket ? It's Columbus boulevard not broad street!

jsbrook · #**7199** Posted **Jan 7, 2017, 2:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by New2Fishtown

The project just east of the Collins and the Hale are both office projects, and neither will move forward without a signed lease from an office tenant. I'd heard of a tenant signed at the Hale, hence the initial flurry of activity, but I imagine they must've walked away or they must be deadlocked in negotiations. I don't think Brickstone is in a position to build either one speculatively, or at least they don't feel like doing so as that exposes them to a lot of risk. I guess the plus side is that both projects will be relatively speedy if and when they do sign office tenants.

The thing that amazes me is the seeming lack of any interest in the huge retail spaces still available at the collins on the 2nd floor. the visibility and co-tenancy are fantastic, the demand for big box retailers is supposedly high, and yet...

Think the same thing every time I walk by the Collins and see the 2nd floor space is still just empty shells. I think it might take completion of the East Market and Gallery renovation to see this area really take off, though. I expect things to start to spill over to Chestnut once that and the W near completion.

jsbrook · #**7200** Posted **Jan 7, 2017, 2:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry King

You gotta give Bart credit for making significant (much needed) investments in Atlantic City right now, that's a town that needs believers. And what's so bad about a wawa or a supermarket ? It's Columbus boulevard not broad street!

I agree with those that think Bart generally lacks vision and often produces bad or even nonsensical projects. But I also agree that there's no problem with a Wawa and gas station on Columbus Boulevard. At present, this area and the Delaware waterfront is just not well-situated for urban, walkable development. I wish it wasn't the case. But that doesn't mean there should nothing that happens there. Things may change over time, but it's not likely without a significant investment by the city, possibly including capping of I-95, and many other changes in financial priorities and attitudes towards this area.

(I also do give Bart credit for what he's done in AC)