W Hotel

[carloss]

A $400 million loan? Wow.

Still a long way to go but if they do break ground on this it will be huge.

Any timetable for the renderings?

[Brooke]

No. The one I just stayed across from in NYC didn't have one.

[kidphilly]

No. The one I just stayed across from in NYC didn't have one.

One of the larger Ws (which at 50 rooms this wll be) or a small one like the W Doral/Tuscony

[Brooke]

Yeah, they don't seem to be at every one but I'm hoping since this is Philly's only W, we get one. They run great specials and it would be nice to have a Bliss Store where you can purchase all of its line in person.

[kidphilly]

Would suspect at 500 rooms and a rather small footprint this would have to be similar in height to their DT Manhattan property at 630 feet pretty exciting if even close to the case.

W New York Downtown Hotel and Residences - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[acenturi]

Not exactly fronting the most vibrant area - unless you want to buy a mattress, or go to CVS to buy a razor that you forgot. On the positive side, it might revive the Prince Theatre.

[MarketStEl]

Not exactly fronting the most vibrant area - unless you want to buy a mattress, or go to CVS to buy a razor that you forgot. On the positive side, it might revive the Prince Theatre.

One, that hasn't seemed to be much of a problem for the Ritz-Carlton next door. Although it fronts on Broad Street, it's not exactly surrounded by nightlife either.

Two, it's gonna take a lot more than a new hotel to bring the Prince Music Theater back to what it ought to be. The needed change is internal, not external, but unfortunately, the problem seems to have an uncanny ability to avoid being excised.

[BenDee]

Not exactly fronting the most vibrant area - unless you want to buy a mattress, or go to CVS to buy a razor that you forgot. On the positive side, it might revive the Prince Theatre.

I think you have it backwards: It likely won't be enough to revive the Prince, but it could be a nice catalyst to bringing better retail to the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Chestnut.

[kidphilly]

I think you have it backwards: It likely won't be enough to revive the Prince, but it could be a nice catalyst to bringing better retail to the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Chestnut.

Also think about this block with a large W (typically a nightlife attraction all to its own in genral) and both Ritz Buildings, DelFriscos. Oh and to the new park at city Hall or a half block to Sansom and all the bars and a full block to 15th and Wlanut or two blocks to 13th and Sansom. This is a great location and great infill. Will only improve things what was the original point on the post you replied to in this regard I dont know.

[BenDee]

what was the original point on the post you replied to in this regard I dont know.

I think the point was that the area is not pristine perfect so the only hotel chains that can open up there are a Motel 6 or a Knights Inn.

On a more serious note, I can't find a better vacant/surface lot in Philly to put a W: 20th & Sansom lot is half the size, 20th & Market lot does not have the nightlife around it that W's want, ditto 13th & Market or 13th & Arch. If Starwood is dead set on opening a new construction W in Philly, there is not a better location unless they start demolishing buildings/garages.

[kidphilly]

I think the point was that the area is not pristine perfect so the only hotel chains that can open up there are a Motel 6 or a Knights Inn.

On a more serious note, I can't find a better vacant/surface lot in Philly to put a W: 20th & Sansom lot is half the size, 20th & Market lot does not have the nightlife around it that W's want, ditto 13th & Market or 13th & Arch. If Starwood is dead set on opening a new construction W in Philly, there is not a better location unless they start demolishing buildings/garages.

Well change can happen and this could go a long way and a project like this could more of a tranformational effect in a micro space. I actually think this a big improvement from the original W proposal location on Arch for the cty as a whole homewood works better there. 15th and Chestnut should be a premier location and honestly a project of this scope takes it a long way there. And to be honest you cant get much more centrally located meaning 5-6 six blocks from everything than this location. The hotel by itself will dramtically the landscape in the immeadiate area and this from someone who feels that Ws apexed their cool in 2002. This is a plus for Philly location and all.

So It seems we may be in agreement. How about a century 21 on the 1400 block of chestnut or something (maybe no space for somehting like that based on the buildings) but this area has some truly awesome bones


https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1500+...31.49,,0,-9.11

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1500+...94.36,,0,-4.74

[BarryG]

The area is great, the only neg being the Wendys that attracts teenagers. Del Friscos is across the street, new upscale chain is going into the old Roy's, Walnut St shopping around the corner, come on.

[acenturi]

I think the point was that the area is not pristine perfect so the only hotel chains that can open up there are a Motel 6 or a Knights Inn.....

Actually, that's not my point at all. I am implying that those eyesores (relative to a new $400+M upscale hotel) should be replaced with something which better supports the shopping/entertainment habits of people paying $300-$500++ a night AND presents the city in a more sophisticated light. At least we have Del Frisco’s on the facing block - that's a start.

[Brooke]

The area is great, the only neg being the Wendys that attracts teenagers. Del Friscos is across the street, new upscale chain is going into the old Roy's, Walnut St shopping around the corner, come on.

Exactly. It's amazing how Chestnut is changing...who would have thought 5 years ago that West Elm and Sephora would have landed on Chestnut. (For all I know, West Elm could have opened 5 years ago...it's amazing how time flies when you are getting old. But you get my point.)

[BenDee]

Naked Philly has an article on it with some updated info:

Update: W Hotel Creeping Forward at 15th and Chestnut | NakedPhilly

New information (at least that I haven't seen before):

-582 feet tall, 52 stories, all parking below ground (compare to the Residences at the Ritz at 518 feet tall). This will be the 7th tallest building in Philadelphia

-All-hotel, no condos

-755 guest rooms and meeting rooms (so assume ~740 guest rooms)

-Part of the building will be an element hotel, which is Starwood's upscale extended stay brand (equal if not a notch above a Homewood Suites or Residence Inn). Looking at room counts at other elements, I'd guess the W will have 550-600 rooms and the element 140-190 rooms.

Sounds like a fantastic project for Philly, and will likely be the catalyst to transform the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Chestnut!

[kidphilly]

Naked Philly has an article on it with some updated info:

Update: W Hotel Creeping Forward at 15th and Chestnut | NakedPhilly

New information (at least that I haven't seen before):

-582 feet tall, 52 stories, all parking below ground (compare to the Residences at the Ritz at 518 feet tall). This will be the 7th tallest building in Philadelphia

-All-hotel, no condos

-755 guest rooms and meeting rooms (so assume ~740 guest rooms)

-Part of the building will be an element hotel, which is Starwood's upscale extended stay brand (equal if not a notch above a Homewood Suites or Residence Inn)

Sounds like a fantastic project for Philly, and will likely be the catalyst to transform the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Chestnut!

Yes very much so, and 582 feet is not too shabby

Hope there is a roof top lounge. While not a huge W fan the city could use more and R2L is just meh

On that note kind of excited to see the views from the new Monaco when it opens. The rooftop lounge there (hopefully) will have spectacular views of Ind Mall and the city - excited on that front too

[eldondre]

Actually, that's not my point at all. I am implying that those eyesores (relative to a new $400+M upscale hotel) should be replaced with something which better supports the shopping/entertainment habits of people paying $300-$500++ a night AND presents the city in a more sophisticated light. At least we have Del Frisco’s on the facing block - that's a start.

and if there's demand, there will be turnover (though I'm not betting on cvs, five guys, or wndy's moving any time soon). that's the way it works. it's not exactly the worst area, there's la colombe and the ritz cartlon next door, city hall's new plaza will be finished by then as well. the biggest "eyesore" is this lot, which will also be gone.

[Volanova]

Yes very much so, and 582 feet is not too shabby

Hope there is a roof top lounge. While not a huge W fan the city could use more and R2L is just meh

On that note kind of excited to see the views from the new Monaco when it opens. The rooftop lounge there (hopefully) will have spectacular views of Ind Mall and the city - excited on that front too

R2L has had a stain of douche-ness ever since I saw half the case of Jersey Shore there taking up half the bar with a photoshop. The manager-on-duty at the time seemed fairly embarrassed by this though when we inquired why the area near the windows was closed off and comped our first round of drinks for the trouble, so at least they're not all bad. I'll go back occasionally with people who are new to the city just for the views, but I'll not be staying for more than one drink probably.

A great alternative, however, is XIX. Awesome happy hour there, and due to lack of lobby signage and having to navigate hallways it keeps a cool "secret place" vibe.

[kidphilly]

R2L has had a stain of douche-ness ever since I saw half the case of Jersey Shore there taking up half the bar with a photoshop. The manager-on-duty at the time seemed fairly embarrassed by this though when we inquired why the area near the windows was closed off and comped our first round of drinks for the trouble, so at least they're not all bad. I'll go back occasionally with people who are new to the city just for the views, but I'll not be staying for more than one drink probably.

A great alternative, however, is XIX. Awesome happy hour there, and due to lack of lobby signage and having to navigate hallways it keeps a cool "secret place" vibe.

Love XIX, especially in the colder months when the fireplace is going. Never sat outside there though, need to do that sometime

[kidphilly]

and just as we speak

http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/fo...el-monaco.html