Goldtex Building Update

The Post Brother's Goldtex apartment conversion project is moving along smoothly after setbacks in 2012 by Philadelphia labor unions delayed progress.  The building will be complete with 168 loft apartment units, roof terrace and pool, parking for 50% of its residents, and a few other special perks.  Construction should be complete later this summer.

Goldtex Residential Conversion Project

The residential conversion of the Goldtex building in Chinatown North/Callowhill by post Brothers will soon be complete and ready to welcome its first residents.    The project stands tall at 12th and Wood Streets and could prove to be the catalyst to encouraging a development revolution in the neighborhood surrounding the Future Reading Viaduct Park.  On May 1 tenants will be able to move into their new digs in the 163-unit apartment building.  A restaurant is also planned to open on the ground floor, the tenant not yet known.

Phila2035 Central District Comprehensive Plan Draft

Philadelphia 2035 released today a draft of their plan for the Central District.  The Comprehensive plan calls for revitalizing civic spaces in Center City, encouraging more development along Ridge Avenue and North Broad Street in West Callowhill, and making more of a neighborhood around Franklin Square.

Many recommendations range from zoning changes to allow for higher density in several neighborhoods, bringing more life to public spaces including Reyburn Plaza across from City Hall and adding a TKTS kiosk in the City Hall courtyard.  Although the Penn Center court Yard is not city owned recommendations were made suggesting to make the space more lively with farmers markets, food trucks or even adding a restaurant or two on the ground level of the buildings.

Read more by downloading the plan Here.

Callowhill/Chinatown North Strategic Plan

The future strategic plan of the Callowhill/Chinatown North neighborhoods was adopted last Tuesday by the city planning commission.  The proposed plan will feature 21 new acres of parks and green space, an extension of Noble Street, and a mixture of commercial and industrial development with a dual residential usage.  optimal conditions for developers to offer live work units to people in the creative industries.

Land use and zoning recommendations are the focus of the strategic plan which covers the area between Vine Street Expressway and Spring Garden, 2nd and Broad.  This includes the neighborhoods of Poplar, Callowhill and Chinatown North, as well as the super-blocks bounded by Wood, Spring Garden, 9th and 2nd streets and a section of the Central Delaware waterfront.

 The study area will be included in the Central District Comprehensive Plan, which will eventually be part of the city's comprehensive plan, Phila2035.  The strategic plan recommends 70 acres , or 16 percent of the study-area, be rezoned as a mix industrial/residential district- a new zoning classification that allows for live-work spaces.  Planners also have sights on transforming the vacant Reading Viaduct into a linear park.  Smaller swaths of land near the viaduct are suggested for immediate park usage to serve as access point to the future elevated park.

Other changes include concentrating higher-density, multifamily residential development closer to commercial corridors to maintain a core of single family row-homes in neighborhoods like that of Poplar.  Bike lanes will be doubled within the study area, as well as an additional 1,600 new trees will be planted.

View Strategic Plan Here

Source: PlanPhilly

A Touch of Provence France on North Broad

Bart Blatstein could have chosen a number of historic destinations to model his proposed entertainment complex after from Spain, Morocco, Greece or France.  Although the Tower building draws influences from the Spanish Gibraltar bell tower, Blatstein sought inspiration from the French region of Provence, in south eastern France, a place full of Greek and Italian influences.

The former Inguirer/Daily News building and adjacent lands will be transformed into a $700 million palatial resort and entertainment complex in the heart of Philadelphia.  Blatstein stressed that the project is much more than a casino, it is an entertainment complex, one such typology that is rare in Philadelphia.  The project would be adorned with a rooftop shopping street with French flourishes, a 125 room hotel, 3000 slot machines, 150 table games, two swim clubs, a jazz club, a comedy club, a theater, and a botanical garden.  The casino would be on the site of what is now a parking lot between 15th and 16th street on Callowhill.  A 125- room hotel will go inside the iconic office tower on Broad. The rendering even consider gardens surrounding the I-676 on ramps.

News Works reports Blatstein says, the plan would create thousands of jobs and generate $25 million in tax revenues once it is open.  He also ensure that the project, designed by Steelman Partners of Las Vegas, will be built all at once, with no plan B in sight.  It's all or nothing for the big developer who believes this is the biggest project he will ever do.  The casino portion will be operated by Hard Rock International.

All of this will only be possible if Tower Investments is awarded the second casino license by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board after the submission deadline of Nov. 15.  Until then, its still another "Big City Dream", at least one that is appropriate, arguably so.

New Pennsylvania Ballet Building Progresses On

PhillyShark brought to you a while ago the move of the Pennsylvania Ballet to 321 N. Broad Street.  The project continues to progress on with demolition complete and construction underway.

The $17.5 million project will feature five dance studios, offices, and facilities for a soon to return School of the Pennsylvania Ballet.

Blatstein Unveils Plans for Casino Complex on North Broad Street

Tonight Developer Bart Blatstein plans to unveil what many optimistic risky thinking pro-development enthusiast have been waiting for.  He will unveil plans for his proposed "world-class resort and casino complex" at the site of the former Daily News and Inquirer offices on North Broad Street.  Tower Investments will present the architectural renderings for the project tonight at Tendenza at the Piazza on 2nd Street in Northern Liberties.

Not everyone of course if celebrating.  Neighborhood associations in Callowhill and Chinatown are opposed to the casino due to concerns about the impact a casino will have on surrounding communities, whether it's traffic, parking, crime and safety, or consistent development for North Broad.  As we remember the days of Sugar House and Foxwoods Casinos and the attached opposition by many Philadelphia residents, you may wonder why Blatstein is so confident his vision will win over or soften the opinions of these passionate NIMBY's.

Many however believe like myself, that this project would be an appropriate addition to North Broad Street, given only that Blatstein is committed to fully following through with the entire expansion of the project.  I personally have a big problem with these large phased in projects like Sugar House that may potentially never see a hotel, retail, restaurants and concealed parking.  Blatstein has a unique location, much better than the Gallery Mall and Delaware Ave., supported by an avenue already boasting with development proposals and growth. North Broad street perhaps is being molded into Philadelphia's next entertainment district, opposite the theatre district with the convention center, a slew of hotel proposals, casino, emerging restaurant scene, numerous residential projects and maybe a retail sector, mending the gap between emerging neighborhoods like Fairmount, Spring Garden, Northern Liberties, Chinatown, Temple University and Lower North Philadelphia, and a sea of development potential in Callowhill.

PhillyShark will keep you updated on the release of the Development Plans.

Source: Philly.com

The New Eastern Tower Community Center

New construction looms on the horizon for Chinatown North.  The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. plans to create a 23-story, multipurpose tower located at the northwest corner of 10th and Vine streets.  The first two floors of the building will include the recreational area and retail space.  The remainder of the tower will be used for residential units and offices featuring spectacular views of the city.

Zoning for the future structure is in place and approved, making it the largest building in Chinatown.  The goal of the PCDC is to start building next year with a two year construction timeline to follow.  They are currently in the process of selecting the perfect architect for the job.

The housing units will be rental apartments, each made affordable to accommodate low-income families.  Keeping in line with the main purpose of the community center, which is to unite the neighborhood, it will be accessible for residents who are young, old, rich and poor.  The center will consist of 15,000 square feet of office space, 12,000 square feet of retail space and 144 residential units.  There will also be a small garage capable of holding up to 46 cars.  Zipcar has agreed to provide the center with cars that will remain internal to the building.

Post Brothers Apartment Building at 12th and Vine

The 10 story abandoned building at 12th and Vine is getting a new LEED on life with bright future as a 163 unit apartment building, 7,000 square feet of retail space, LEED-certification, rooftop pool and "dog socializing area".

The building was purchased by Post Brothers Apartments last year and due to be fully transformed sometime this upcoming Fall.  The building will be wrapped in a brand-knew metal skin and vegetated biowalls, that will not only give it a modern aesthetic, but will also add to its energy efficiency.

The building is located near the Reading Viaduct in the newly designated Callowhill Industrial Historic District.  This could potentially be the kick start to reviving and exposing the amazing potential this neighborhood and the Viaduct has to offer.