Loft District next hot area? (Philadelphia, Reading: fit in, for sale, rentals)

[Darbarian]

Originally Posted by Aimewitue

The Loft District Located near the Pennsylvania Convention Center in between Broad and Eighth streets and Arch and Spring Garden streets.

Is this area a safe area? I spent the day over there seems to be lacking shopping and restaurants.

However this area is close to the city, reading terminal market and the convention center.

This area with a little investment might be the next hot area? I wondering if i should invest now?

I actually live in this area(Chinatown), and what you described is mostly Chinatown, which starts at Arch and generally ends at Vine, although its slowly pushing north. The Loft District/Callowhill/Chinatown North starts at Vine and Stops at Spring Garden.

As to your claim that it's lacking shopping and restaurants, I'm wondering if your eyes need to be examined. Of course you aren't going to get and H&M, GAP, Forever 21 type stores there, thats what Walnut St. is for. But there is plenty of shopping for daily living. And if you want to bite the bullet and see the sights, the Gallery is a short walk away. Whenever my wife and I look for a place to eat, we always have a tough time deciding because there are so many restaurants, so I have no idea what area you were describing.

Now, i've noticed with the Chinese (not only here, but in japan as well) they like to stay clustered together, and for a sense of community identity. Some people view that as Xenophobic, others as their identity. I say that because if you aren't Chinese, or even Asian for that matter you might have a hard time from the numerous business associations investing in property in that specific area.

[john_starks]

Originally Posted by Darbarian

I actually live in this area(Chinatown), and what you described is mostly Chinatown, which starts at Arch and generally ends at Vine, although its slowly pushing north. The Loft District/Callowhill/Chinatown North starts at Vine and Stops at Spring Garden.

As to your claim that it's lacking shopping and restaurants, I'm wondering if your eyes need to be examined. Of course you aren't going to get and H&M, GAP, Forever 21 type stores there, thats what Walnut St. is for. But there is plenty of shopping for daily living. And if you want to bite the bullet and see the sights, the Gallery is a short walk away. Whenever my wife and I look for a place to eat, we always have a tough time deciding because there are so many restaurants, so I have no idea what area you were describing.

Now, i've noticed with the Chinese (not only here, but in japan as well) they like to stay clustered together, and for a sense of community identity. Some people view that as Xenophobic, others as their identity. I say that because if you aren't Chinese, or even Asian for that matter you might have a hard time from the numerous business associations investing in property in that specific area.

chinatown is as important as rittenhouse...

it better grow and not get stomped like DC

[Darbarian]

Originally Posted by john_starks

chinatown is as important as rittenhouse...

it better grow and not get stomped like DC

It already has been stomped on quite a bit. You need not look any further than the Vine St. Expressway and the Convention Center. There is talk of a tower going up around Vine St. I guess it's supposed to be some sort of Community Center for Chinatown.


I really think the city should cover the Expressway to better integrate the two neighborhoods, it just seems so detatched.

[rotodome]

Yeah, Chinatown has gotten the business end of so much of the development in center city for decades. I'm amazed it's held out as well as it has.

[MobyJim]

Originally Posted by pman

prostitutes didn't stop center city from improving

No, in fact most of them now serve on City Council.

[MobyJim]

Originally Posted by rotodome

Yeah, Chinatown has gotten the business end of so much of the development in center city for decades. I'm amazed it's held out as well as it has.

In the 1970's most of Chinatown was condemned. Later a huge part of the same area was taken to build the Vine Street Expressway. Can you say the Convention Center? What is that sitting on top of? Yes partly the old Red Light District, but also a large part of Chinatown. If the City had had it's way Chinatown would be four blocks of real estate just enough for the tourists.

[pman]

Originally Posted by MobyJim

No, in fact most of them now serve on City Council.

I said hookers, not petty thieves

[Redddog]

Hey all.

Wife and I are looking at buying some raw(ish) space in the Loft District.

Wondering if it has continued to develop of if looking in another part of town is a better idea. We love the idea of redoing a loft space and the price is certainly right in that neighborhood. Wife can deal with a little bit of tough but if she feels unsafe, it may be a deal killer.

Any parts of the Loft District that should be avoided these days? Is it impossible to get a cab? Any more or less dicey now?

Thanks all.

[jazzy jeff]

I lived briefly in Chinatown about 7 years ago (11th and Arch) and it was safe back then. Do not recall any prostitutes, but seem to remember guys on the street trying to lure people into going to a massage parlor, which I was never quite sure where it was. There is a newer apartment building on 8th street in Chinatown that is really nice and has gated parking. My wife (she is Chinese) actually wants to move there.

[Redddog]

Has the Loft District experienced any further development in the last year or so? Still opportunities to buy a space that can be had for a value and remodeled?