PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread X - Page 193

mcgrath618 · #**3841** Posted **Mar 12, 2022, 6:08 PM**

I'd just like to make it perfectly lucid: my issue with Gauthier's actions is that they are illegal, and very clearly a stunt. I completely agree that an affordable component of this development was a completely realistic expectation, and that more affordable housing in general isn't a bad thing.

summersm343 · #**3842** Posted **Mar 12, 2022, 7:15 PM**

New thread: 3801 Chestnut Street

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9564975#post9564975

PHLtoNYC · #**3843** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 2:13 PM**

More info on the U City townhomes. As I suspected, Gauthier was at the topping out ceremony for the nearby $100M life sciences building lauding the growth of U City...

I guess there is a chance the Mayor won't sign, but I foresee a year of litigation costing hundreds of thousands and the property owner will (rightfully) win.

Bill that places overlay in University City, limits development sparks threat of litigation

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...l-places-overlay-in-university-city.html

"Hours after Philadelphia City Council passed Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s bill that established an overlay restricting the redevelopment of an affordable housing complex at 3900 Market St., she was praising the development of 3.0 University Place, a $100 million life sciences building under construction two blocks away at 4101 Market St."

"“This project is one step closer to belonging to a burgeoning life sciences sector in West Philadelphia,” she said at a podium at a topping out ceremony, noting that is what makes the area a prime location for commercial real estate development."

"The bill has sparked a controversy, prompted charges of that it’s “unenforceable, and it is an egregious abuse of the powers,” according to a statement issued by IBID Associates, owner of 3900 Market that is an affiliate of the Altman Group, a Plymouth Meeting real estate company that has developed affordable housing throughout Philadelphia."

"University City Townhomes is located in one of the hottest life sciences markets in Philadelphia and the area is seeing a tremendous amount of multifamily, lab and other development from real estate investors and the universities, medical and research institutions. The property at 3900 Market is the size of a city block and zoned CMX-4, which permits dense mixed-use development. The site can accommodate a maximum of 1.9 million square feet of new development."

"The Altman affiliate said in the statement that it has been working with a developer who would undertake a development that would include replacing the number of the current affordable housing units with new units on the site and those would be offered to current University City Townhomes residents. “Councilmember Gauthier has rejected this proposal, and her latest demand was little more than another attempt to punish the owners for not accommodating her wishes,” the statement said."

"Gauthier has a different take on the matter. She said that conversations between her and IBID have “not gone well” and the real estate company has not been negotiating in good faith. The bill doesn’t prevent the sale of the property but future uses, Gauthier said in an emailed statement."

summersm343 · #**3844** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 2:53 PM**

^^Wait, wait, wait... let me get this straight.

So, the owner of University City Townhomes wants to sell the property to (most likely) National Real Estate Development who has done INCREDIBLE work transforming other parts of our city with development.... the seller was working with them to replace University City Townhomes with a more appropriate mixed-use development, high density development at this site that would include residential (including 70 low income units that would be offered to the current residents of UCity Townhomes), and more than likely lab and office spaces.

....and Gauthier is looking to BLOCK this sale and development to what??? Feel like she has complete control over everything and everyone in her district? All while she is attending a topping out ceremony at a lab/office building that includes NO residential component and touting that as a perfect example of a benchmark development that's going to lead her district into the future?

..... also, a few months ago or so she blocked a more dense development at 50th and Warrington and required the developer to create a development that would have MORE parking and LESS residential units.

Sooo, she's blocking new low-income housing that would replace these old, outdated and borderline dilapidated housing units...she's blocking new housing units that would bring more taxpayers to the city and would help alleviate this mythical "affordability crisis" people keep claiming Philadelphia is experiencing.... also blocking probable lab/office space as well that would bring MORE jobs to a city that desperately needs more jobs.

And by blocking these developments, she's going to get the city into a costly legal battle that the Philadelphia taxpayers will pay for, instead of spending those taxpayers dollars she plans to throw down the drain on litigation on something like beautifying the 52nd Street commercial corridor or beautifying the Lancaster Avenue commercial corridor.

The incompetency level is incredible.... it doesn't seem like Gauthier actually wants affordable housing at all, and actually wants to limit housing units being built in her district to drive up land values and housing costs.

Urbanthusiat · #**3845** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 3:21 PM**

The cognitive dissonance from Gauthier is astounding.

Redddog · #**3846** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 3:34 PM**

Astounding.

These council members are the biggest hurdle this city faces. And yet, they are enshrined.

Bottom line for me....these guys (clarke, gym, and this idiot) know that the more NEW people that move into these areas, diluting the amount of legacy residents (not necessarily causing them to move but diluting them with more affluent residents and businesses), the less likely they are to be re-elected.

They know that the key to their longevity is to keep the ratio of less educated poor-to-affluent in favor of the poor. It's the only explanation - sheer stupidity taking a close 2nd.

How embarrassing.

cardeza · #**3847** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 6:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redddog

Astounding.

These council members are the biggest hurdle this city faces. And yet, they are enshrined.

Bottom line for me....these guys (clarke, gym, and this idiot) know that the more NEW people that move into these areas, diluting the amount of legacy residents (not necessarily causing them to move but diluting them with more affluent residents and businesses), the less likely they are to be re-elected.

They know that the key to their longevity is to keep the ratio of less educated poor-to-affluent in favor of the poor. It's the only explanation - sheer stupidity taking a close 2nd.

How embarrassing.

Gauthier unseated a longtime old school incumbent councilwoman by appealing to a broader swath of a changing district. You do realize this is her first term right? She is not a representative of an established, entrenched councilperson- even if you feel she (and everyone else you disagree with) is stupid.

TempleGuy1000 · #**3848** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 7:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardeza

Gauthier unseated a longtime old school incumbent councilwoman by appealing to a broader swath of a changing district. You do realize this is her first term right? She is not a representative of an established, entrenched councilperson- even if you feel she (and everyone else you disagree with) is stupid.

...Cardeza, you do understand that what you are saying actually doesn't have anything to do with policy. It's like saying "Oh well Trump wasn't in politics so he has no allegiance to any type of policy!" when he clearly came from the school of trickle down economics. Gauthier has quickly proven she attended the school of councilmanic prerogative. Those that prescribe to this way of leading love acting like the King or Queen of their district. They want to be involved in every decision even if their staff and themselves have no expertise or knowledge on a given subject. They want everyone to have to go through them, so the council person can shakedown whoever wants to invest in the community. Good ole fashion legal corruption (even though this particular situation may very well have been an illegal action by the Councilwoman).

summersm343 · #**3849** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 8:00 PM**

Drexel, Gattuso Development Partners to build $400M life sciences project

Quote:

A venture that involves Gattuso Development Partners and Drexel University plans to build a $400 million, 500,000-square-foot life sciences research and lab building on the school’s campus in University City.

The 11-story project will be developed at 3201 Cuthbert St., which is currently a recreation field used by Drexel and located next to the Armory.

Gattuso, which is leasing the parcel from Drexel, has also partnered with New York-based Vigilant Real Estate Holdings and Boston-based the Baupost Group on the project. Robert A.M. Stern Architects designed the building.

The structure has been designed to function as a dedicated research building with expansive heights, a special mechanical system used in laboratory research, fully enclosed loading docks, and extra space designated for equipment.

“One of the things recognized by groups around the country is the emergence of Philadelphia as a center for life sciences," Gattuso said. "Historically, there has been two, Boston and the Bay Area in San Francisco. The consensus is Philadelphia will be the third center to emerge and because of that increased recognition nationally, this is a place where people need to be. That is the case for tenants, capital and talent.”

The building is already 55% pre-leased. Drexel intends to occupy 60,000 square feet for academic and research uses and several undisclosed life sciences tenants have signed commitments to lease space in the building.

Drexel plans to relocate the recreational uses that will be displaced by the new building to its Vidas Athletics Complex and new green space will be created at the current site of Myers Hall, which will be demolished.

Groundbreaking for the building is expected this fall with a projected completion by fall 2024.

Article behind paywall here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...cx_testVariant=cx_8&cx_artPos=6#cxrecs_s

summersm343 · #**3850** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 8:03 PM**

I count 12 floors - sooooo, let's make a thread!!!

Ladies and gentlemen.... we are officially seeing the explosion of Philadelphia right before our eyes

mcgrath618 · #**3851** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 8:40 PM**

NOOOOOO BUCKLEY FIELD

I loved playing football there

iheartphilly · #**3852** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 9:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Drexel, Gattuso Development Partners to build $400M life sciences project

Article behind paywall here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...cx_testVariant=cx_8&cx_artPos=6#cxrecs_s

Damn! Already 55% pre-leased. This is a go! I love the color and design too.

Urbanthusiat · #**3853** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 9:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

NOOOOOO BUCKLEY FIELD

I loved playing football there

Yeah I'd be pretty annoyed if I were a Drexel student lol. That field gets a lot of use from student teams and clubs. It's not like there's another field nearby. I expect some student pushback here.

That said, it's a great looking building and I love to see more life sciences in UCity.

Edit: I skimmed too quickly, they're going to replace the field. I was distracted by the pretty picture. Thanks for pointing that out McGrath!

mcgrath618 · #**3854** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 9:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbanthusiat

Yeah I'd be pretty annoyed if I were a Drexel student lol. That field gets a lot of use from student teams and clubs. It's not like there's another field nearby. I expect some student pushback here.

That said, it's a great looking building and I love to see more life sciences in UCity.

They say in the article that Myers is getting torn down and replaced with a rec field.

phishtown · #**3855** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 10:38 PM**

https://drexel.edu/news/archive/2022/Mar...-New-Life-Sciences-Research-Lab-Facility

The same info as the other article, but no paywall,

iheartphilly · #**3856** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 10:47 PM**

^
Also, the floor plates are huge to get 11 floors and 500k square ft. That's a little more than an acre per floor...and a price tag to boot! And it's good to see Gattuso break away from Liberty Property Trust and stay local with his new team (some former colleagues) to help develop Philly.

3rd&Brown · #**3857** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 11:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Damn! Already 55% pre-leased. This is a go! I love the color and design too.

I love the design.

That's a massive amount of space. And to be pre-leased?

Can't wait to find out by who.

reparcsyks · #**3858** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 12:35 AM**

Reminds me of a very, very squat version of Stern’s first design for Comcast’s HQ — the gold version. In any event, this is awesome news.

thoughtcriminal · #**3859** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 1:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Looks like someone dropped the architectural model, tried to glue it back together but couldn't get the pieces to align, so they just said screw it.

justremember · #**3860** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 10:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbanthusiat

The cognitive dissonance from Gauthier is astounding.

I don’t think this is “cognitive dissonance,” it’s a byproduct of our current political reality. People are (rightly) freaked out about what the ongoing explosion in development means for them if they’re not part if the “it” group of desired new residents. They see themselves as unwanted and getting pushed out of their own neighborhoods to make room for wealthier, whiter residents and businesses and make the community more comfortable for those new people. This isn’t without reason, as there is a historic pattern of pushing black and poor people into certain neighborhoods to keep other neighborhoods “desirable.”

Now, maybe that’s not what’s happening here, and maybe (probably) this bill is an abuse of power and just a bad idea, but that’s the political and cultural environment Gauthier exists in. There are a lot of people who feel threatened, attacked, and left out of what we often celebrate here as progress, and when Gauthier got elected they were afraid she’d go along with it.

Those people are citizens who vote and have a right to determine what happens in their own neighborhoods. They have legitimate concerns, even if they don’t always support the proper solutions to those concerns (and I blame that on a lack of civic education and being manipulated by politicians for generations).

That’s a long way of saying that these kind of decisions are really a byproduct of a jacked up political and cultural environment. I think it’s recklessly disrespectful to the existing community not to acknowledge that.