PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread II

[UrbanRevival]

I get that this forum is very development-focused, but if many folks haven't noticed, Philadelphia could absolutely stand to have a LOT more greenspace.

There's literally thousands of under-utilized parcels across the city, many of them very prominent and screaming for development. A cap over I-95 isn't one of them.

This is a 100% win for the city, and provides MUCH needed recreational space with lush vegetation in a part of the city (near the waterfront) where it's few and far between.

[summersm343]

Corporate Housing Jawn Coming to the Jaan at Center City in Chinatown

It was back in December when zoning documents hinted that the property at 225-39 N. 13th St. had plans for 81 units of some variety. We anticipated a seven-story structure with ground level commercial space, but the “visitor accommodations” in the zoning document left some wiggle room in our understanding of what might be on the way. The wonders of Civic Design Review submissions, however, tend to shine some light on those pesky, hidden details. Let’s first remind ourselves of what the surface parking lot currently at the corner of N. 13th & Summer looks like before we get a little peek at what’s in store.

The plans for the site are for a short-term rental building, with an eye toward corporate housing, per a recent article from the Inquirer. The concept will be called the Jaan at Center City, which will be a sister project to another development, the 36-unit Jaan at Old City from DesignBlendz that’s also currently in the works.

Read/view more here:
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-phil...y-in-chinatown

[summersm343]

Exterior Assembly Nearly Complete At University Place 3.0







Read/view more here:
https://phillyyimby.com/2023/02/4101...ladelphia.html

[summersm343]

Construction Underway At 4415 Chestnut Street In Spruce Hill

A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has noted significant construction progress at a five-story, 40-unit mixed-use building at 4415 Chestnut Street in Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia. Designed by Wulff Architects and developed by Orens Brothers Real Estate, the building will include retail space as well as features such as elevator service, a green roof, full sprinkling, and 14 bicycle spaces. Permits list Orens Development Inc. as the owner and Orens Brothers Inc. as the general contractor. Construction is expected to cost $5.5 million. The structure will be a part of a two-building complex that extends through the block to Ludlow Street to the north, which will total 70 units.

Read/view more here:
https://phillyyimby.com/2023/02/cons...ladelphia.html

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by skyhigh07

I think my main concern is that it’ll turn part of Delaware Ave into a tunnel. IMO, extending the concept of the Korean Memorial cap, which incorporates the avenue instead of burying it, would have made for a cleaner and more elegant plan.

What is your concern with a tunnel? Tunnel is under a major road. And, the one side will be flanked by I-95 and the other currently is a parking lot.

I like the shape of the proposed park by capping it and will allow designs and features unique to its shape.

[skyhigh07]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

What is your concern with a tunnel? Tunnel is under a major road. And, the one side will be flanked by I-95 and the other currently is a parking lot.

I like the shape of the proposed park by capping it and will allow designs and features unique to its shape.

Not sure I follow. What major road? Are you referring to the pedestrian bridges? The Delaware Ave tunnel created by the cap would sit under the greenspace. I agree with capping I-95, but not extending it over the avenue. The parking lot adjacent to the avenue could be developed for real estate or perhaps more greenspace. My point is we’re losing part of the avenue for a tunnel.

[summersm343]

Construction Underway At 2157 East Lehigh Avenue In Kensington

Philadelphia YIMBY’s recent site visit has observed that construction is underway at a 278-unit mixed-use complex at 2157 East Lehigh Avenue in East Kensington. Designed by DesignBlendz, the project will consist of four structures rising between 60 to 75 feet. Building A (01) will rise six stories and span 73,124 square feet, and contain commercial space at the ground floor and 81 residential units, a roof deck, and a small parking garage, with construction costs estimated at $3.5 million. Building B (02) will rise seven stories, span 65,550 square feet, and feature 72 units. Building C (03) will rise six stories, hold 60 residences, span 56,981 square feet, and include a roof deck and a garage, though it will not offer commercial space on the ground floor, and cost $3.5 million to build. Matching the other structures, Building D (04) will also reach a height of six stories and include a garage and 65 residential units, though it will not house any commercial space. In total, the building will hold 71,437 square feet of space, and cost $3.5 million. The entire complex will offer parking for 132 cars and 96 bicycles.

Read/view more here:
https://phillyyimby.com/2023/02/cons...ensington.html

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by skyhigh07

Not sure I follow. What major road? Are you referring to the pedestrian bridges? The Delaware Ave tunnel created by the cap would sit under the greenspace. I agree with capping I-95, but not extending it over the avenue. The parking lot adjacent to the avenue could be developed for real estate or perhaps more greenspace. My point is we’re losing part of the avenue for a tunnel.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hi...6!4d-75.141355

I see the cap over columbus bldv and then I-95 per the map link above. Pedestrian bridge would be gone when the park is built. I see the benefit of the park outweights losing that part of the columbus blvd for development. Push that towards the river where the existing parking lot sits. Any future development will be on the waterfront next to this new park seems more attractive and more valuable to me than next to columbus blvd.

[summersm343]

78-Unit, Mixed-Use Project Approved in Fishtown

Read/view more here:
https://www.rising.realestate/78-uni...d-in-fishtown/

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by UrbanRevival

I get that this forum is very development-focused, but if many folks haven't noticed, Philadelphia could absolutely stand to have a LOT more greenspace.

There's literally thousands of under-utilized parcels across the city, many of them very prominent and screaming for development. A cap over I-95 isn't one of them.

This is a 100% win for the city, and provides MUCH needed recreational space with lush vegetation in a part of the city (near the waterfront) where it's few and far between.

well said.

We should think of this plan as a mini-Millennium Park, a soon to be hugely popular public asset for Philadelphia. There are plenty of nearby developable plots to compliment the park.

[skyhigh07]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hi...6!4d-75.141355

I see the cap over columbus bldv and then I-95 per the map link above. Pedestrian bridge would be gone when the park is built. I see the benefit of the park outweights losing that part of the columbus blvd for development. Push that towards the river where the existing parking lot sits. Any future development will be on the waterfront next to this new park seems more attractive and more valuable to me than next to columbus blvd.

It’s definitely more of a twentieth century approach to urban design. I thought we were passed creating urban tunnels lol. It degrades the viability of the boulevard which is a significant and historical feature of the waterfront. It’s usually best to work with the existing assets of the built environment otherwise you end up creating more anti-urban issues and spaces.

I think there was potential to create an impressive “cap greenspace” and retain the boulevard. It just seems unnecessary and counter productive to sacrifice one for the other but I suppose that’s how you see it…

[EastSideHBG]

Originally Posted by UrbanRevival

I get that this forum is very development-focused, but if many folks haven't noticed, Philadelphia could absolutely stand to have a LOT more greenspace.

There's literally thousands of under-utilized parcels across the city, many of them very prominent and screaming for development. A cap over I-95 isn't one of them.

This is a 100% win for the city, and provides MUCH needed recreational space with lush vegetation in a part of the city (near the waterfront) where it's few and far between.

Greenspace of this size for that location, though? If we had some of the building blocks already in place like Chicago did I would say no brainer but I think folks are overestimating how useful this is going to be in that location for much of the year, particularly foot traffic-wise. And as far as the waterfront goes because of the parcel it needs to go the wrong way, as in it has to extend further from the waterfront vs alongside of it.

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

well said.

We should think of this plan as a mini-Millennium Park, a soon to be hugely popular public asset for Philadelphia. There are plenty of nearby developable plots to compliment the park.

Agreed that time will tell how this may build out.

[EastSideHBG]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Mentioning politics because of the election.
A Progressive takeover is a rather scary prospect, and the article reads like a cult narrative (not surprising from the Inquirer)... I remain hopeful that sane politics will prevail.

Philly progressives are building a new political machine. 2023 will test it.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philly...-20230228.html

Over the past six years, progressives in Philadelphia have scored a series of victories that have shaken the city’s political scene, and this year, they’re looking for their biggest win yet: the mayor’s office.

Some of the same groups and organizers that helped the likes of District Attorney Larry Krasner stun the establishment are pinning their 2023 hopes on former Councilmember Helen Gym, hoping to also lift progressive City Council candidates to office.

”If we win, she will be one of the most progressive mayors in the country,” said Steph Drain, Philadelphia political director of the labor-aligned Working Families Party. “It would be historic for the left nationally.”

The ascendant left has proved it’s organized. The question is whether it can overcome increasing pushback.

“This is an opportunity for us to vote in a true progressive,” he said. “If we win the mayor, it will be the hugest win we’ve seen since Larry Krasner.”

Originally Posted by TempleGuy1000

Anna Orso is incredibly bias in every article she writes. "Labor-aligned" is the exact opposite of what Helen Gym's policies are. Try non-profit aligned. Orso literally is just a mouthpiece for the far left.

Sharing this map, as it was very interesting:

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/sho...51&postcount=8

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by skyhigh07

Yeah, I’ve been thinking the same thing and understand where you’re coming from. The cap feels like it’s blanketing the entire area in a rambling greenspace and a potion of Delaware Ave will become some kind of tunnel. I’m fine with capping I-95, but I think it’s a missed opportunity to activate Delaware Ave for useful development. In fact, it’ll likely make it less pedestrian friendly. Instead of capping over Delaware Ave, I would have like to have seen more investment in capping over other parts of I-95.

Who's to say the portion closer to Front St or even the cap itself won't be built to handle future Developments? I never saw anything saying it isn't.

Also I do agree that they should have capped that small portion between that and the memorial, but I assume doing so would create a tunnel, and then they would have to add ventilation, and that becomes an even bigger project.

I do agree that they should have allowed some type of development on the cap, wether it be small restaurants or a tower, it didn't all have to be greenspace.

[TonyTone]

Also does anyone know if the Spring Garden station will be revamped once the 676/95 Project starts up?

Have there been any renders of a new or improved Station?

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by skyhigh07

Not sure I follow. What major road? Are you referring to the pedestrian bridges? The Delaware Ave tunnel created by the cap would sit under the greenspace. I agree with capping I-95, but not extending it over the avenue. The parking lot adjacent to the avenue could be developed for real estate or perhaps more greenspace. My point is we’re losing part of the avenue for a tunnel.

They are going to put some effort into making the new Columbus Blvd tunnel more inviting with lighting and design elements:

source: https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-phil...art-commission

[skyhigh07]

^^^Looks like a great place to meet a friend for coffee!

I really want to like the entirety of this project, but something just feels a bit off. It’s an ambitious project but it doesn’t seem like it addresses the challenges of the riverfront in the most efficient way. Proof will be in the pudding I suppose…

[summersm343]

I'm sorry but... WHAT?!

Some of the takes on here are absolutely absurd. Philadelphia is getting an incredible waterfront park, capping a highway and connecting our most historic district (and arguably this country's?) with the waterfront and creating a waterfront Philadelphia deserves that will undoubtably spawn more development in Penn's Landing and along the Waterfront on the many remaining developable parcels and.... some people are.... finding negativity in that? What?! Is there anything more Philadelphian (or should I say, Negadelphian?)

[summersm343]

Think of this from the pedestrian experience. Imagine this park is complete, all of the planned Durst development is complete, and the South Street pedestrian bridge extension is complete?

A pedestrian will be able to walk from South Street, along the Waterfront from South Street to Market Street (and beyond) with a mix of parks, buildings, retail, cafes and restaurants fronting the waterfront. You can also come straight down from Old City or Society Hill to a fully developed waterfront.

It makes more sense to take pedestrians off of Columbus Boulevard and onto the waterfront, does it not? I think sacrificing a block long section of Columbus Boulevard to a tunnel is a necessary sacrifice. I just don't see anyway else to do this without removing or further sinking I-95, and removing Columbus Boulevard which would cost a BOAT LOAD more money, and would probably create a traffic nightmare around this area.

[Gatorade_Jim]

Originally Posted by skyhigh07

It’s definitely more of a twentieth century approach to urban design. I thought we were passed creating urban tunnels lol. It degrades the viability of the boulevard which is a significant and historical feature of the waterfront. It’s usually best to work with the existing assets of the built environment otherwise you end up creating more anti-urban issues and spaces.

I think there was potential to create an impressive “cap greenspace” and retain the boulevard. It just seems unnecessary and counter productive to sacrifice one for the other but I suppose that’s how you see it…

I’m sorry, it degrades the view of a road? Delaware Ave is nothing special, certainly not something we should fret about capping with a park, particularly in this location. Am I missing something?