PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread II

[SEFTA]

Building a new African American Museum is great.
Philly's part in this history is pivotal.
I don't really care for turning the Parkway into a museum "mall".
Green space is green space and is finite in the city.
Calder sort of makes sense. A good home for the sculptures.
Central Park has the Met but hasn't eaten away the park further.
Looking forward to seeing some real plans for the PARK of the Parkway.
This is Philly's Central Park and needs to be treated as a park.
I hate referring to it as the parkway which implies a highway IMHO.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by Gatorade_Jim

Don’t want to derail the convo but I have some updates from the neighborhood meeting.

- Clarke is currently against the 76ers arena. Says it won’t get a vote on his watch but says next mayor has to make that decision ultimately. His primary problem is traffic and he thinks it’s too heavy on public transit. Got a laugh out of that.

- Calder Museum is a go. Clarke was very hyped on this.

- African American Museum is coming to the Parkway. They may be building a museum very similar to what they have in DC. Seems like it’ll be interesting if that happens.

Didn’t get a chance to ask about the parkway redesign. I’ll do that next month.

He was against the Bankroll bar on Chestnut Street too because of traffic concerns... I'm glad his outdated views are ending. Thanks for the other updates!

Originally Posted by TonyTone

Thats my point, the head house Wawa, The Broad St Wawa & both of the Market St Wawas should have never closed, if the problems were that bad hire REAL security or turn it into a limited hour pickup window Wawa like the one at 16th & Chestnut...

Other than that we have multiple targets in Center City.

Like you said tho Wawa will be back, they haven't completely left yet.

Agree, except the Broad Street Wawa needed to close. That place was always a mess and multiple violent incidents in a short span of time. Not a good look for Broad Street. Maybe with the new fancy Arthaus restaurant, Insomnia HQ and revamped Bellevue, a national retailer or restaurant group will take interest in the space.

Originally Posted by SEFTA

Building a new African American Museum is great.
Philly's part in this history is pivotal.
I don't really care for turning the Parkway into a museum "mall".
Green space is green space and is finite in the city.
Calder sort of makes sense. A good home for the sculptures.
Central Park has the Met but hasn't eaten away the park further.
Looking forward to seeing some real plans for the PARK of the Parkway.
This is Philly's Central Park and needs to be treated as a park.
I hate referring to it as the parkway which implies a highway IMHO.

The Parkway also needs more food/drink options. It's a beautiful stretch, and it would be nice to have more places to sit down for snacks, coffee, wine, etc. between the Art Museum and Logan Circle.

[3rd&Brown]

Not surprised the City Council President who likes to drive to the corner store thinks a Center City arena relies too much on public transit.

What's laughable about the Bankroll commentary is that you walk by and you wouldn't even notice it or the people coming and going. That's the whole point of a grid system. It can absorb and dissipate traffic more efficiently than any other system when integrated with public transit.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Gatorade_Jim

That’s what I thought too but Clarke said they’re down to 3 finalists, 2 want to put it in the family court building and 1 wants to build a signature building for it like DC. Clarke was very big on the signature building option for what that’s worth

Hmm, I can see where they’d rather have their own distinctive structure, rather than share space with other entities in an existing grand building, but that 1901 Wood St lot isn’t so well-sited for prominent Parkway visibility. OTOH, the 20th St side of that lot faces the Barnes.

[DeltaNerd]

City Council plans Roosevelt Boulevard Subway hearings following I-95 collapse
https://billypenn.com/2023/06/14/roosevelt-boulevard-subway-council-hearings-i95-collapse/

IMO this is a good thing for city council to look at and build the subway. So build land to develop on without impacting the neighborhoods too badly. Would push Philly to 2 million people living here.

[El Duderino]

Originally Posted by arkitect13

Slightly off topic but i have a few things I haven't seen much on lately

Im aware this project is full steam ahead but I haven't seen any construction updates is anything actually moving? https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/n...ject-well-under-way-under-new-ownership/

I also saw something about the new bridge over 95? Wasnt directly connected to the cap but it I think sprung off south street and went over the the parking lot to connect with the trail?
And speaking of the cap, do we know how long it will be delayed? Id assume until construction on the bridge is finished, but why do they expect it to take months when Atlanta rebuild there's in 43 days? Seems a little odd to me but I'm not complaining

The 650 Fairmount project is indeed moving ahead, with construction of the townhomes and duplexes full steam ahead and out of the ground - there's always a ton of work on site whenever I've been by recently.

For the bridge, it's the pedestrian bridge connecting the South St. path (which lets out into a parking lot) to the Delaware River Trail, just south of the Moshulu. They've started digging around the parking lot in front of Moshulu/Chart House, so hopefully this isn't delayed.

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

Not surprised the City Council President who likes to drive to the corner store thinks a Center City arena relies too much on public transit.

What's laughable about the Bankroll commentary is that you walk by and you wouldn't even notice it or the people coming and going. That's the whole point of a grid system. It can absorb and dissipate traffic more efficiently than any other system when integrated with public transit.

Any reason they haven't added the parking back on the left side of Chestnut there, I know they had the lanes do a zig zag for a while, but the construction is over.

[Mr Saturn64]

Very excited about the new museums. The Calder Museum is a very rare instance of a project that died and then came back later. I can't tell you any other Philly project that had that happen.

[summersm343]

Three Aramingo Ave. Updates for Block Facing I-95



801 Aramingo Avenue - 11 units:


817-23 Aramingo Avenue - 47 units:


850-56 Moyer Street - 3 townhomes fronting Moyer, and 5-unit apartment building front Aramingon:


Read/view more here:
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/fishtown/three-aramingo-ave-updates-for-block-facing-i-95/

[summersm343]

14 Residences Coming to Former Bethany Lutheran Church in Roxborough

Bethany Lutheran Church at 401 Martin St. had been a staple on the community for over 175 years, first across the street (at the current cemetery), before building its longtime home in 1873. The church held its last service in November of last year, leaving the fate of the building up in the air.

As for the news? A zoning permit was just issued for the RSD-1 zoned site, with plans indicating a shift to residential – specifically 14 units which will assumedly be housed within the current structure.

Read/view more here:
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/m...r-bethany-lutheran-church-in-roxborough/

[summersm343]

148-Unit Germantown Project Proposed Amidst Concerns from Neighbors





Read/view more here:
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/e...proposed-amidst-concerns-from-neighbors/

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Delayed as a result of the I-95 collapse.

I walk From Old City down to Penns landing every day or so. I haven't seen a shred of activity regarding this cap for years. They took out the 95 off ramps years ago. That's been it.

I don't know what exactly has been delayed but there was absolutely crickets down there.

I don't buy it.

[summersm343]

A Resolution Imminent with New Plans at the Former Painted Bride







Read/view more here:
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/o...h-new-plans-at-the-former-painted-bride/

[summersm343]

Apartments in the Works for Two Surface Lots in Germantown



5230 Germantown Avenue:


5230 Germantown Avenue rendering:


5322 Germantown Avenue (no rendering yet):

The surface lots at both 5230 Germantown Ave. and 5322 Germantown Ave. both have plans for major additions to this historic area.

5230 Germantown Ave. is currently a somewhat sad empty property, though it sits directly next to its historically protected neighbor: The John Bechtel House, which was built back in 1742 (!) and was home to the famous writer in the 18th century. Olympia Holdings are the developers here, with KJO Architecture leading the design of a 40-unit, mixed-use proposal. After an initial angular design was pitched, neighborhood feedback led to a shift in approach, with the new plans featuring a more traditional look, set off by the curved entryway along the front of the structure. The developers utilized a green roof bonus to bump up the density, adding an additional eight units to this CMX-2.5 zoned property. There is no car parking included, but 14 bicycle spaces will join a commercial space along the ground floor, according to zoning records.

While short on details, the plans for 5322 Germantown Ave. are just as exciting. Currently a nicely landscaped surface parking lot, a zoning document from last week indicates that a similar project is likely to rise here. Look for 46 units over five stories, with a ground floor commercial space and parking for 19 cars. Weinstein Properties is the owner here, though records don’t yet indicate the architect for this proposal.

Read/view more here:
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/e...orks-for-two-surface-lots-in-germantown/

[summersm343]

Gorgeous New Art and Delaware River Trail Updates at Rapidly Rising Rivermark

A reminder, this project at 501 N. Columbus Blvd. will bring 470 units and 11 retail spaces to the Delaware River Waterfront. Anchored by a Sprouts Farmers Market, this two-building project called RiverMark Northern Liberties from Haverford Properties and Jefferson Apartment Group, is speeding along, with steel now up for the two main buildings.

As this project is being developed on land procured through the city-owned Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, we now happily have a boatload more details on what’s coming to the river. River Soundings will consist of a 60′-tall stainless-steel sculpture, with dramatic, blue hanging-spheres meant to elicit thoughts of the history of this site and how it relates to the river. Movements and sounds will be ever-present in this undulating column, which will also have LEDs to keep this beacon glowing at the nighttime. An educational component will be included as well, connecting viewers to the history of the area through informational displays. Even more exciting, this art will be connected to other art works around the site – all of which will be connected by a continuation of the Delaware River Trail around the periphery of the property.

Read/view more here:
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/n...ail-updates-at-rapidly-rising-rivermark/

[summersm343]

Construction Progresses At 1000 Spring Garden Street In Callowhill

Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has observed that the concrete frame has risen one level above the street at an eight-story, 21-unit mixed-use building underway at 1000 Spring Garden Street in Callowhill, Lower North Philadelphia. Designed by Harman Deutsch Ohler Architecture and developed by KT Investments, the structure will span 19,504 square feet and feature commercial space (likely at the ground floor), elevator service, bicycle storage, a roof deck, and full sprinkling. Permits list LIU Construction as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $2.25 million.

Read/view more here:
https://phillyyimby.com/2023/06/construc...callowhill-lower-north-philadelphia.html

[summersm343]

Construction Continues At Townhouse Complex At 244-58 North 2nd Street In Old City

A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has observed that construction continues to progress at an 11-townhouse project at 244-58 North 2nd Street in the Old City section of Center City. Designed by LandMark Architectural Design, each townhouse stands four stories tall and spans nearly 5,000 square feet, and feature a cellar, a roof deck, an elevator, and a two-car garage. Permits list OCF Construction as the contractor.

Read/view more here:
https://phillyyimby.com/2023/06/construc...244-58-north-2nd-street-in-old-city.html

[summersm343]

Exterior Construction Underway At 342 West Girard Avenue In Northern Liberties

Philly YIMBY’s recent site visit has observed sustained construction progress at a six-story, 50-unit mixed-use building underway at 342 West Girard Avenue (also known as 342-54 West Girard Avenue) in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia. Designed by Coscia Moos Architecture and developed by Hightop Real Estate and Development, the development will span 43,010 square feet (which will include 2,252 square feet of retail) and will feature a basement and a parking garage. Permits list Ferraro Construction Group LLC as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $4 million.

Read/view more here:
https://phillyyimby.com/2023/06/exterior...rthern-liberties-north-philadelphia.html

[jaysb]

Originally Posted by SEFTA

I would like to see the south façade.
Not a fan of this project, mostly because the scale could have been grander considering the METRO station up the street.
Hell, the new buildings on 2nd Street are towers. Why not the waterfront?

Came across the Ben F. Bridge yesterday and this site (and other nearby developments) are very notable but you are 100% correct they should have gone higher here, perfect place to go up 12+ floors.

[Gatorade_Jim]

From BillyPenn’s article on the Roosevelt Blvd subway council hearings that were announced today. Makes me happy to read. I don’t know much about Driscoll but he seems to have his head in the right place.

“The councilman has seen the funding opportunities that are available, [and] aren’t going to be here forever,” Golden said. “And if we don’t take them, someone else will. He sees the immense value that decreasing car reliance and auto centric development would have for the people of his district.”

https://billypenn.com/2023/06/14/rooseve...e/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter