PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread X

[TempleGuy1000]

Originally Posted by el don

If I had a mil to spend on a place ain't no way I'm spending it to live right next to a stop on the vagabond Express. Imagine scheduling a tour and that is the first thing you see (broad Street ministry).

I have commented a few times about how the Arthaus is unfortunately is right next to there. It's one of the reasons I felt that the SLS Hotel proposal never made much sense. IMO, the development at Broad and Pine never getting off the ground has hurt the prospects too. It was better when there was a starbucks at that corner. The building was cleaned up this year but it sat vacant with graffiti on it for a while.

Speaking of South Broad, Insomnia Cookies HQ is under construction finally at Broad and Walnut.

[phishtown]

Originally Posted by TK2001

...

Here's the future massing. The Mark, 3200 Market, 3201 Cuthbert, and even International House's Target addition is included on here. Also, some of the smaller buildings from the 1800's have more detail to show of the architecture. Please let me know If I missed anything.

Future view from The Mark amenity level by Philly SkyGuy, on Flickr

Pretty cool TK. I'm not sure of the limits of that software, but would it be possible to color code the buildings that are proposed or u/c vs already existing? I would give a cool sense of what is being added.

... and while I'm making a request, if you want more work it would be interesting to see the Penn medical campus as part of it

[PurpleWhiteOut]

New lighting is happening at 2222 Market

[yuryphilly]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

I also have to disagree, as someone who also frequents the area on foot, and in vehicle for years.

Broad St has the least amount of sidewalk issues in the city, we're not talking about a side block in N Philly here.

So please if you have some examples please show, I walked that area not too long ago, and the sidewalks were in the best condition, and the cleanest in the city.

S Broad gets pretty depressing after you cross Spruce st. Even above Spruce st this area is a low-hanging fruit for simple improvements - repairing all sidewalks, planting trees, and updating the median. There is a new apartment complex being developed next to Broad and Washington, if this area is improved we can see a lot new development there.

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by yuryphilly

S Broad gets pretty depressing after you cross Spruce st. Even above Spruce st this area is a low-hanging fruit for simple improvements - repairing all sidewalks, planting trees, and updating the median. There is a new apartment complex being developed next to Broad and Washington, if this area is improved we can see a lot new development there.

Im aware of what is occurring in the city lol, I live here.

I want someone here to give me 3 examples of the terrible infrastructure between City Hall & Washington Ave

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9425049,...28K-_on9MiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Here's the google street view.

Im trying to figure out what you guys are seeing.

Maybe my perception is warped from living in Kensington at one point, but S Broad in that area is far from bad or failing, could it use some upgrades sure, but this perception that it's depressing has nothing to do with the sidewalk, and more to do with the structures that interact with the street.

[TonyTone]

Saw that 2222 Has lighting for 676, very nice surprise.

Also Comcast 1 has been lit red for Red October these past two nights thats a first since the upgrade, and since the 2008 Red October.

Paging Tk did you get any pics of it?

[TK2001]

[TK2001]

Philadelphia skyline Red October by Philly SkyGuy, on Flickr

Philadelphia skyline Red October by Philly SkyGuy, on Flickr

Philadelphia skyline Red October by Philly SkyGuy, on Flickr

Love seeing the skyline flooded in red, my favorite color!

Philadelphia skyline in red by Philly SkyGuy, on Flickr
Last year

[TK2001]

https://youtu.be/JoFGS9gWJB0?si=PCSOIxVlcso7ICb8

You can see bats flying in front of the skyline, a nice introduction to October

[bdurk]

finally figured out how to post photos lol, really love the red lights on Comcast One. imo it changes the entire dynamic of our nighttime skyline

[Gatorade_Jim]

Originally Posted by bdurk

finally figured out how to post photos lol, really love the red lights on Comcast One. imo it changes the entire dynamic of our nighttime skyline

Comcast 2 is just begging for an LED upgrade! Hopefully that comes to fruition in the next few years.

[TK2001]

Philadelphia skyline Red October by Philly SkyGuy, on Flickr

Comcast Center lit red from my roof by Philly SkyGuy, on Flickr

[yuryphilly]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

Im aware of what is occurring in the city lol, I live here.

I want someone here to give me 3 examples of the terrible infrastructure between City Hall & Washington Ave

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9425049,...28K-_on9MiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Here's the google street view.

Im trying to figure out what you guys are seeing.

Maybe my perception is warped from living in Kensington at one point, but S Broad in that area is far from bad or failing, could it use some upgrades sure, but this perception that it's depressing has nothing to do with the sidewalk, and more to do with the structures that interact with the street.

The sidewalk in some places needs to be repaired, trash needs to be picked up and all empty lots and abandoned structures need to be redeveloped, The area has a lot of potential, but right now I prefer to walk on parallel streets if I can.

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

Broad Street is just totally different than even 2 blocks in either direction. It's loud 24/7 because of the subway/dirt bike guys. And then the Broad Street ministry is next door to the Arthaus. They are doing admirable work but people don't want to pay millions of dollars and be greeted with that every time they leave their front door. There are always people sleeping on the steps, littering and drug use. I agree though, landscape the medians, stop the ATVs and dirt bikes with speed bumps, raised crosswalks and cobblestone streets.

Im not sure if I agree the primary reason to invest millions into upgrades on Broad would be to ensure a developer can please potential millionaire clients. I dont think speed humps on a major street like Broad are coming any time soon for a host of reasons. Philadelphia needs to be quieter and safer for all, not only in specific areas that are of concern to people who can own multi million $$ condo units. And anyone who has been around more than 10-15 years knows the area SE of where ArtHaus is located used to be MUCH worse than it is today- in spite of the current issues with dirt bikes and homelessness nearby.

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by yuryphilly

S Broad gets pretty depressing after you cross Spruce st. Even above Spruce st this area is a low-hanging fruit for simple improvements - repairing all sidewalks, planting trees, and updating the median. There is a new apartment complex being developed next to Broad and Washington, if this area is improved we can see a lot new development there.

you are not going to see any trees planted due to the tunnel underneath- this is why you have large planters on several blocks of S. Broad between CH and Walnut st or maybe even down to Locust.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by cardeza

you are not going to see any trees planted due to the tunnel underneath- this is why you have large planters on several blocks of S. Broad between CH and Walnut st or maybe even down to Locust.

I know this same convo happens every few months, but the median is the best chance to fix up Broad Street.

For example, the median on Park Avenue South is a similar width and has a subway underneath, and small trees and continuous planters are present. This relatively small investment (especially if the city makes a call for donors) in the big picture goes a long way.

Park Avenue South
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7427751,...6thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

South Broad Street.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9493426,...pw4jCNCQGGw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

[Broadcastthatboom]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

I know this same convo happens every few months, but the median is the best chance to fix up Broad Street.

For example, the median on Park Avenue South is a similar width and has a subway underneath, and small trees and continuous planters are present. This relatively small investment (especially if the city makes a call for donors) in the big picture goes a long way.

Park Avenue South
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7427751,...6thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

South Broad Street.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9493426,...pw4jCNCQGGw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

I wouldn't want continuous planters (or trees) to totally obstruct the medians because they are a very iconic spot for pictures/photoshoots with City Hall framing the background. Maybe some low-level planters in the middle, or framing each north/south end of the median, would still allow that and also add some beautification.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

Im aware of what is occurring in the city lol, I live here.

I want someone here to give me 3 examples of the terrible infrastructure between City Hall & Washington Ave

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9425049,...28K-_on9MiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Here's the google street view.

Im trying to figure out what you guys are seeing.

Maybe my perception is warped from living in Kensington at one point, but S Broad in that area is far from bad or failing, could it use some upgrades sure, but this perception that it's depressing has nothing to do with the sidewalk, and more to do with the structures that interact with the street.

I think the issue is that Broad Street is our signature landmark avenue in the city. Like, people from Kenosha, WI have heard of Broad Street - it's legendary. It's not just another street. And because of that... it is kinda shabby and downtrodden and, outside of a couple blocks on South Broad near city hall, just not very well maintained. Cracked sidewalks, unkempt trees, weeds sprouting out of the sidewalk/median. Sure compared to anything in Kensington it's nirvana, but compared to other signature streets in other big cities...it's definitely lacking - there's no reason it shouldn't be sparkling and immaculate and gardened and landscaped and streetscaped the whole stretch outside of apathy.

[mcgrath618]

Having been in Europe for awhile right now, I wholly support repaving Broad with cobblestones as not only a beautification measure, but a traffic calming one as well.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Having been in Europe for awhile right now, I wholly support repaving Broad with cobblestones as not only a beautification measure, but a traffic calming one as well.

I'd love that - also would help ameliorate our motorcycle/dirtbake Center City issues a bit. 2 birds