status report

[RashadZak]

And yet another 25 stories of apartments, add approximately 300 more if you will.

The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral received approval Friday to demolish two historic buildings in the 3700 block of Chestnut Street, clearing the way for construction of a 25-story apartment tower.

Is this actually happening or are they magically going to run out of funding and have to turn it into a surface parking lot for the next 75 years?

[DCnPhilly]

Is this actually happening or are they magically going to run out of funding and have to turn it into a surface parking lot for the next 75 years?

I just read on another thread that they have to have funding in place before demolition can begin. Considering how costs generally go over budget, that rodent mean much, but the fact that they're asking for it is a step in the right direction.

Still, with the U City building craze an abundance of parking, I doubt it would be a lot for long. If they razed the buildings and find they can't afford it, Drexel or Penn would snatch up the lot and use it for something.

[rojnish]

There are a LOT of new apartments coming online in the very near future. I don't know specific counts of each building, but here's my best guesstimate and those of you more in the know can adjust:

2121 Chestnut Street 300 units
Edgewater II 250 units
Robert Morris Building 150 units
2020 Market Street 270 units
1900 Hamilton 100 units
Goldwater Building 170 units
1900 Arch Street 250 units

Sub Total 1490 units

I'd suggest others adjust these numbers for accuracy, and add any other apartment buildings coming online that I've forgotten. I'm not sure where all these people who can afford $1600 - 3200 per month are coming from. Any ideas? I'm really happy about each and every building, but I'm just sayin...

Oh, and I forgot the proposal for yet MORE apartments in place of the old YWCA building on like 20th and Chestnut.

[BarryG]

Leasing office for AAA is open, they already leased 5 units. $1,650 for a 1BR...

PMC making progress on turning AAA building into Phila. apartments - Philadelphia Business Journal

[BenDee]

Oh, and I forgot the proposal for yet MORE apartments in place of the old YWCA building on like 20th and Chestnut.

Not sure how far north you are going, but there's the Granary project at 19th & Callowhill for 140 apartments, and Museum Towers II in the parking lot at 18th & Hamilton which will have a 16 story apartment building plus townhouses on the 19th Street side.

[nanyika]

I went to the community meeting last night sponsored by Toll Brothers for their proposed development near 2nd & Lombard (ex-New Market / Stamper Square. etc.). I think most people were expecting a plan for townhouses, but instead they showed specs and drawings for a single T-shaped building, four stories (62 feet) high, with 69 condo units, roof deck, and underground parking. The whole complex would be gated, with a ground-level courtyard for residents. The main elevation is on Front Street, with the entrance for automobiles to the parking facility there too. Another major entrance would be on 2nd St., opposite the Head House Market; there would be a small public plaza in front of the gate, with possibly a fountain.

The building is "contemporary" in design, though generally compatible in materials with buildings in the area (red brick, stone, etc.), and with chrome-metal open balconies. Overall, I liked the concept, and most people in the room seemed to be favorable. Toll Brothers needs to obtain a variance for the height, since only 35 feet is allowable with C-2 zoning. As I understand it, the area was previously zoned for a 15-story tower (C4), but that has expired. They are hoping to begin construction in March of next year.

[FourS]

I'm sure many of you have already noted this, but someone on skyscraperpage posted that Cira 2 would be breaking ground within 12 months. Pretty cool.

[RashadZak]

Cira South, not Cira 2. Cira 2 is the 600-1000 ft (not sure on the height, but early models looked tall) one behind 30th st station, a possibility after Cira South is finished.

New Cira developments would give University City a new skyline | philadelphiaheights

[BarryG]

I posted the link on another thread on the CC board but worth putting here I think: A 9 story apartment tower with ground floor retail broke ground on the 1600 block of Sansom. 122 apartments, no parking.

New Sansom Street residential tower a go | Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

[rojnish]

So the article (above) says 1000-2000 new rental units coming onto the market within a few blocks of 1600 Sansom. What a fun time it is to be living in CC. I'm thinking of leaving due to career woes, but I can't tolerate the thought of leaving such a fun, vibrant living environment. Penn is exploding. Drexel is exploding. CC is merging with UC. Temple is exploding and if Blastein gets his N Broad casino that will blend
Temple with downtown. grad Hosp is on fire, as is N. Liberties. Rittenhouse is more beautiful than ever. SRT is expanding into an attraction. The new Sister Cities Park makes Logan Square even more spectacular. It's settled, I ain't going nowhere.

[BarryG]

I hear PA Wine & Spirits is signed on for a premium store in the AAA building.

[Titus]

I hear PA Wine & Spirits is signed on for a premium store in the AAA building.

I hope that doesn't mean they'll close the one on Chestnut - I thought the rules required only so many stores per geographical area.

[BenDee]

I hope that doesn't mean they'll close the one on Chestnut - I thought the rules required only so many stores per geographical area.

While it wouldn't shock me to see the one on Chestnut close (property values are getting to the point where they can/should demolish the building and put in a midrise), the distance between the stores is less than the two stores at 12th/Market and 13th/Chestnut.

[BarryG]

While it wouldn't shock me to see the one on Chestnut close (property values are getting to the point where they can/should demolish the building and put in a midrise), the distance between the stores is less than the two stores at 12th/Market and 13th/Chestnut.

Yeah they don't see to have a problem putting "regular" and "premium" (Chestnut St east) stores close to each other.

[DCnPhilly]

So the article (above) says 1000-2000 new rental units coming onto the market within a few blocks of 1600 Sansom. What a fun time it is to be living in CC. I'm thinking of leaving due to career woes, but I can't tolerate the thought of leaving such a fun, vibrant living environment. Penn is exploding. Drexel is exploding. CC is merging with UC. Temple is exploding and if Blastein gets his N Broad casino that will blend
Temple with downtown. grad Hosp is on fire, as is N. Liberties. Rittenhouse is more beautiful than ever. SRT is expanding into an attraction. The new Sister Cities Park makes Logan Square even more spectacular. It's settled, I ain't going nowhere.

Funny this is all happening AFTER the bubble. Go Philly.

[Notokaywiththis]

What does the church plan on doing with the current residents when they demolish this building? Just throw them out on the street? Nobody's given me an answer for this...

[rojnish]

UPDATE to the Original STATUS REPORT::

The Granary: Hopes to break ground sometime this summer. The parking requirements have been altered to .7 per unit, as opposed to the orignially proposed .5 per unit. BROKE GROUND AND IS RISING FAST. SLATED TO BE A 9 STORY BUILDING THAT SHOULD BRING LOTS OF LIFE TO AN ALREADY BUSTLING NEIGHBORHOOD.

2200 Parkway: hopes to proceed and is developing plans to present for approval. (last I heard it was to be senior housing) PROBABLY IS NOT HAPPENING. NICE IDEA, NO TRACTION.

Mode 7: Seven Townhomes being built at 138 N. 22nd Street continue progress. Pricing per unit is in excess of 1.5 million dollars. PHASE I IS COMPLETED AND ALL SOLD IN THE 1.7 MILLION NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY JUST BROKE GROUND ON PHASE II (Croskey Street) AND THEY ARE ADVERTISING THEM IN THE 2.3 MILLION RANGE.

1900 Arch Street: Mixed use apartment/restaurant/office complex. Agreement between developer and Kennedy House continues the drafting process. THEY'VE BEEN MOVING EARTH AROUND FOR A WHILE. DIGGING SOME HALF-HEARTED HOLES AND SLAMMED SOME STEEL PANELS INTO THE GROUND. I AM ASSUMING IT IS HAPPENING ALTHOUGH IT IS A SLOW START. I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE THAT EYESORE OF A PARKING GARAGE SEEN FROM ARCH STREET COVERED UP. IN FURTHER NEWS, THE LOT ACROSS THE STREET IS SLATED FOR OFFICE SPACE IN THE 19 STORY RANGE.

1700 Vine Street: The Mormon LDS Church is refining plans for proposed Temple at this site. They are also in talks about obtaining 1601 Vine Street (formerly to be Grasso big box store development) with unnamed plans. DIGGING THE HOLE AS WE SPEAK. THAT SHOULD PROVIDE A BEAUTIFUL SITE ON VINE STREET.

Edgewater Apartments: Developer proposing Phase II to be a 300' tower. Current zoning permits a 125' site so long process ahead. NO FURTHER WORD ON THIS. WHAT WITH APARTMENTS RISING ON 1900 ARCH, 2000 MARKET, 2100 CHESTNUT, 1600 SANSOM, GRANARY, AND SO ON, I HOPE THEY HAVEN'T MISSED THEIR WINDOW FOR THE RENTAL MARKET. THIS WOULD BE A NICE ADDITION TO THE LOGAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD.


1700 Arch: Robert Morris Building proposed extensive interior renovations (to apartment units?) are still in plans but a long way off. DONE, CLEANED UP AND INHABITED. BRAVO FOR SAVING SUCH A FANTASTIC AND BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDING.

The Free Library: Expansion plans cut back from 189,00 SF to 80,000 SF. Some money diverted to much-needed repair to existing structure. NOT SO MUCH AS A NEW BOOKCOVER.

1500 Arch Street: No groundbreaking date set for new Family Court building. STEEL RISING FROM THE GROUND. BORING BOX, YES, BUT DOES IT BEAT A SURFACE LOT....YES.

Sister Cities Park: in front of Parkway cathedral received right-to-proceed approval.

JFK Bridge superstructures over 21st, 22nd and 23rd Streets scheduled to be replaced by PennDot sometime in 2014.

20th & Arch: Piano Bar on corner has liquor license application posted in window. Appears looking to re-open with outdoor seating cafe space.

[Tartan69]

1700 Arch: Robert Morris Building proposed extensive interior renovations (to apartment units?) are still in plans but a long way off. DONE, CLEANED UP AND INHABITED. BRAVO FOR SAVING SUCH A FANTASTIC AND BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDING.

Seconded. On the surface at least, it looks like they did a really nice job.