Chinatown's Eastern Tower Project Moves Forward

The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation disclosed at a meeting Tuesday Night to Chinatown residents that it will pull building permits and begin construction on the Eastern Tower in the next six to nine months.  Easter Tower will be a 23-story mixed-use apartment complex and community center at 10th and Vine streets.

The building, designed by KlingStubbins and Lisa Armstrong of A K Architecture,  will contain 143 residential units, 31 of which will be affordable for "moderate income" households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The market-rate apartments will rent for around $1,700 for a one-bedroom and $2,500 for a two-bedroom. The developers are still rounding up funding for the project, estimated to cost $71 million.

The project will include 10,000 square feet of retail space, plus banquet and recreational space to be available to the community.  the cost to operate the community center is estimated at $255,000 yearly, and John Chin, PCDC Director, promised that recreational space and community services will always be available to community members.

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

Market East; Realizing it's Full Potential

Despite having rich cultural neighborhoods like Washington Square and China Town, an outstanding transit infrastructure, and attractions like Independence Mall, the Convention Center, and other historic sites, Market East continues to struggle to live up to its full potential, and the city itself consistently lacks in pushing for positive drastic change.  There have been many case studies on how to revive the district but still very little action and a lot of opinion.

One such plan I will discuss, although many drawing have yet to be released to the public, was done by EE&K.  Their plan for Market East creates a vision that is integral with strategy.  One that is not dominated by one use or project, but is characterized by the diversity of forms and activities that have marked Market Street's colorful history.  The plan anchors itself on supporting a more sustainable future for the City by promoting transit ridership, leveraging the city's existing investment in one of the richest transit hubs found in an American City, and improving street-level air quality.

Their vision is based on key strategies for restoring Market Street's role as Philadelphia's Main Street: bringing everyone onto Market Street, focusing on places instead of projects by improving Market Street's pedestrian environment; promoting a mix of uses; and creating a new expanded intermodal transit center.  The plan also creates opportunities for Chinatown and Jefferson to expand and envisions bold new connections to the Delaware River Waterfront and adjacent loft district.

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 Gallery Mall's Future Just Got a Bit Brighter

Most Philadelphian's have been waiting for decades now for a downtown Mall that speaks to the shopping needs and standards of a diverse demographic of fashion conscious individuals.  They may not have to wait much longer.  The building complex is slowly changing ownership, with the exception of parcels owned by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and SEPTA.  The Philadelphia Business Journal (PBJ) reported late last month that the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust is buying the 901 Market Street office building from Vornado Realty Trust.  The company will soon make an announcement about its total renovation plans for the Gallery along East Market Street.

The acquisition of the 430,000 square-foot building allows PREIT flexibility as it overhauls the Gallery  making it a potentially viable economic contributor on East Market Street.  The developer could use some space from the 901 to bolster the mall.  The overall project, including acquisition and renovation costs, is pegged at roughly $300 million.

PREIT currently owns 801 Market Street.  The company has long discussed a phased project that would transform the Gallery into a modern, upscale urban mall with more dining options and retailers that appeal to consumers who are fashion conscious and keep up with style trends.  The building would be turned inside out with storefronts overlooking Market Street. PBJ says PREIT had hoped to have started on the project last year but a launch is expected to be announced by year end.

Maybe something more like this past rendering of the City's vision

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.

Chinatown Eastern Tower Community Center

The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation plans to build a 23-story, 265-foot-high residential and office tower, with a community center on the ground floor, on two parcels at the northwest corner of Vine and 10th streets.  The communities strong desire for a community center prompted the project, but constructing a stand-alone center proved prohibitive, therefore the PCDC joined with private developer Teres Holdings to iron out a more solid economic plan.

Plans call for 12,000 square feet of retail space, 15,000 square feet of office space, 144 mostly rental apartments and a 23-car garage.  A small charter school is a possible office tenant, and the buildings 2-story community center would include 500-person multi-function room where basketball can be played and a health center.  floors 6 to 23 would be residential, with a mix of one and two bedroom units.  The tower would be topped with a green roof, residences would have operable windows, and silver LEED certification would be sought.

"The goal is to carry Chinatown across to the other side of Vine Street," said Jung, which is why the development is tall and dense.  Chinatown has grown rapidly, Chi said, and has many residents who live below the poverty line.  There is a dearth of affordable housing, and this development would contain some.  And there is also a need for better access to health care and education.  The tower would be a "physical solution, economic solution, and social solution to the barriers and issues we find in the Chinatown community," Chin said.