Should they renovate and build more upscale shops at Gallery (Philadelphia: city hall, hotel)

[sheila.e]

Should the build more upscale malls at the Gallery Mall. I think the only reason why the rif raffs or the immature youths flock to the Gallery is because they have really cheap retail stores like K-Mart, Ross, etc.

If Philadelphia government wants to bring more tourists into the city then they need to make stores that can appeal to people.

They can keep Old Navy, Footlocker and even the video game stores but they should build stores like Ann Taylor, Neiman Marcus.

[Angus215]

The should tear it down and put an office building in its place

[sheila.e]

would that defeat the purpose of Market St.

[Dub King]

The structure itself is part of the problem, but I doubt demolishing it is possible, so yes I'd say renovate, and turn part of it into a nice IMAX-centered multiplex like the one in King of Prussia. Philly needs an upscale mainstream movie theater complex, the Ritz is great but I never want to watch the art movie crap they have on and the rest of Philly's movie theaters are not so great.

Originally Posted by sheila.e

would that defeat the purpose of Market St.

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by sheila.e

would that defeat the purpose of Market St.

Not unless you think the purpose of east Market St is too be a scar on the face of center city, or to attract the undesirable elements of society

[FindingZen]

Although I think low-to-middle-income people deserve a convenient place to shop, I also agree that the Gallery would benefit from more upscale retail. My guess is that those would-be retailers have already run an analysis of the Gallery which they saw as unfavorable. Or perhaps the city didn't kick in any (or enough) financial incentives for the Neiman Marcuses of the world to open up there.

Regarding the movie theater idea, I'd sooner see that built at the "Disney Quest" parking lot on 8th and Market.

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by Dub King

The structure itself is part of the problem, but I doubt demolishing it is possible, so yes I'd say renovate, and turn part of it into a nice IMAX-centered multiplex like the one in King of Prussia. Philly needs an upscale mainstream movie theater complex, the Ritz is great but I never want to watch the art movie crap they have on and the rest of Philly's movie theaters are not so great.

The movie theater is so true


Also to offset the space something like Dave and Busters might be a good fit. the gallery is large and they are making some to the Market Street frontage more open to the street which will help tememdously.

Also on the office buildings. the galery with the structure to put at least two towers if required. Philly needs more office space (but moreso to attract jobs in the first place) . also the gallery could easially handle a hotel that would be linked to the Convention center on top. With more entertainment options like a movie theater and a D&B as an example. that could halp bring more people to the space.

[rotodome]

Normally I'd say that government isn't really in the business of "building stores". But in this case, with all the public money that's been poured into that monstrosity of a convention center at the expense of a vibrant neighborhood, it seems only right that something be actively done to make the retail front door of this place, that's supposed to be attractive and fun to out of town visitors, less of an embarrassing eyesore.

[goodtime85]

The central business district on the west side of city hall has multiple lots that need to be filled with office buildings, so no need to put office buildings on market east side yet. I think spicing up the current gallery building and adding nicer stores is a cheaper way to go, but the best would probably be to knock it down and start from scratch. It's embarrassing that market east is such a dump

[Icy Tea]

Put a police substation in the Mall complete with police dogs. That'll chase the riff raff away.