The Royal Theater--A Royal Mess thanks to Kenny Gamble and Universal Properties

[Jayfar]

According to an old and now barely legible work permit posted on the front of the Royal, Universal was to repair the roof of the theater, which had been leaking for decades, replace or repair downspouts to improve drainage and, I believe, stabilize the facade by re-pointing some of the bricks.

There are "newer' downspouts and some of the bricks of the facade may have been re-pointed, all work that could have been done in 2000 or shortly thereafter using part of the $250,000 federal grant.

Yes, they did do the brick repointing, at least on the front, at around that time. I lived very near there then and saw them working on it for several months.

[topogigio]

According to the following, Gamble is looking to make a substantial profit on his $300K investment. The Royal Theater and 5 adjoining properties are now listed at $4,500,000.

1524-34 W SOUTH ST, Philadelphia, PA 19146-1636

[mixiboi]

Already has a offer:

Holy Smokes The Royal Theater Is For Sale | NakedPhilly

We’ve learned that an offer was made by Royal OCF Holdings (no relation) for $3.2M for the theater, plus all the lots on the south side of South Street. At the moment, it seems that Universal is hoping they can do better.

[Citigirl]

It would be awesome if the Royal could still be salvaged to be something like this:

Waterfront developer plans 3,000-person music venue, restaurants, a bowling alley and a distillery at Ajax Metal Works site | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

but, no...Universal people could only figure out to make some cr@ppy a$$ residential project financially feasible. AND KG got all that property for next to nothing...infuriating

[mixiboi]

Metro - Hope renewed for Royal Theater rebirth

Ori Feibush, of OCF Realty, said yesterday he has made an offer on the building and four adjacent lots with hopes of redeveloping it for mixed use with commercial space and apartments.

"It’s a block we would love nothing more than to restore to much of its original glory. The Royal Theater is the reason that block has been held back," said Feibush, whose company has redeveloped several homes in the Point Breeze community and owns multiple properties on South Street.

[Citigirl]

Metro - Hope renewed for Royal Theater rebirth

even thats kind of mehhh. commercial space with apartments? we need a destination for all the people who live here now to recreate at...how about an uberfunky, half indoor half outdoor destination that's an amalgamation of the best parts of Lombard Swim Club + Sister Cities Park + University City Swim Club + the piazza + a fun multi-purpose multi venue event space. In a community with 10,000 people without decent back yards, within a few block walk, it would be a hit.

[mixiboi]

Dreams are great..reality is bitter....I rather live in reality...Look at the list on that page:

The Royal Theater is one of several former theaters in the city that have struggled to find new life as an entertainment venue or new type of development.

>> Name: Boyd Theatre
Location: Chestnut between 19th and 20th streets
Latest: A plan for a live-entertainment venue and high-rise hotel fell through when developer Hal Wheeler abruptly died. Live Nation is still the owner.


>> Name: Uptown Theatre
Location: 2240 N. Broad St.
Latest: The Uptown Development and Entertainment Corp. is trying to raise $5 million to redevelop the facility as a technology center, artist lofts and office space.

>> Name: Metropolitan Opera House
Location: 858 N. Broad St.
Latest: The former opera house and cinema is home to a congregation and nonprofit organization that planned to restore the interior of the property.

>> Name: Devon Theatre
Location: Frankford Avenue near Barnett Street
Latest: The property closed after a brief stint as a performing arts venue in 2009.

I bolded the saddest story....Like I said dreams are great.but reality sucks...

[Citigirl]

Dreams are great..reality is bitter....I rather live in reality...Look at the list on that page:



I bolded the saddest story....Like I said dreams are great.but reality sucks...

I didnt suggest a high rise hotel (city's already swamped with those) nor another music venue, nor a location in the middle of no-mans land. I suggested an multi-function indoor/outdoor space smack dab in the middle of a neighborhhod full or wealthy empty nesters and yuppie families who live in $500,000+ houses with no back yards, and who are on the 5 year waiting list to pay $1000 a year PER PERSON to join Lombard Swim Club. But yeah, not too many people would have the financial nougats to try it, because it does sound dreamy! Empty store front commerical with apartments above is the only development model anyone wants to try in this neighborhood.

[dr_gingivitis]

Dreams are great..reality is bitter....I rather live in reality...Look at the list on that page:



I bolded the saddest story....Like I said dreams are great.but reality sucks...

Don't forget two House of Blues that didn't happen, both within 6 blocks of the Royal.

[brianbrews]

even thats kind of mehhh. commercial space with apartments? we need a destination for all the people who live here now to recreate at...how about an uberfunky, half indoor half outdoor destination that's an amalgamation of the best parts of Lombard Swim Club + Sister Cities Park + University City Swim Club + the piazza + a fun multi-purpose multi venue event space. In a community with 10,000 people without decent back yards, within a few block walk, it would be a hit.

Wow, I like your bold vision. And I agree that this site deserves to be an anchor for the neighborhood, and for the same reasons it holds potential for somebody willing to take a gamble... like you mention, it's happening in other neighborhoods. I can think of a myriad of other developments (of varying breadth/scope) including 3rdward, North Shore Beach Club, Philly Fringe moving to the fire service pump house @ Front/Race, Wilkie @ 640 N. Broad, et et. For every theater that sits abandoned there are innovative developments happening. Just not happening in much in Graduate Hospital... if executed well, I believe the neighborhood would wholeheartedly support much more than 'commercial space with apartments'

[Citigirl]

Don't forget two House of Blues that didn't happen, both within 6 blocks of the Royal.

that's because house of blues is a fugazi, and everyone in Philly knows it. except for three white people.

[ofeibush]

I was outbid...rather dramatically in fact. I have no idea what the plans are of the winning bidder but my team is no longer involved with this parcel in any capacity.

I hope they build something beautiful but I am a spectator at this point.

[dr_gingivitis]

that's because house of blues is a fugazi, and everyone in Philly knows it. except for three white people.

I have to admit I have no idea what this means.

[mixiboi]

I was outbid...rather dramatically in fact. I have no idea what the plans are of the winning bidder but my team is no longer involved with this parcel in any capacity.

I hope they build something beautiful but I am a spectator at this point.

Ok, now that is scary...someone get one of the newspaper/bloggers who watch us on it....

[annie]

I have to admit I have no idea what this means.

It's not "authentic."

[Citigirl]

that's because house of blues is a fugazi, and everyone in Philly knows it. except for three white people.

Sorry for being obtuse: I think it would be like putting an Olive Garden in South Philly, a Pei Wei in Chinatown, a ChiChi's in the Barrio. It is a Disney-esque formulation of a Blues joint. We already have great music venues in the city that don't need the thematic gilding of a House of Blues chain.

[y.lama]

I was outbid...rather dramatically in fact. I have no idea what the plans are of the winning bidder but my team is no longer involved with this parcel in any capacity.

I hope they build something beautiful but I am a spectator at this point.

I guess Kenny will be able to finish his house on 15th street now.

[torts]

I'd like to see a Rite-Aid go in there.

[torts]

[torts]

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