"Philly Live" Stadium Entertainment District (Philadelphia, Reading: fit in, real estate market)

[rainrock]

Restaurants,shopping,bars,concert venue,hotel planned for South Philly. The Spectrum looks like its a goner.





Nothing definite, but they're working on it | Philadelphia Daily News | 01/23/2008 (broken link)

[Duderino]

I think this will be a great addition to South Philly. Granted, some will decry that it's too "suburban" in character and doesn't add to Philly's urbanity at all, but it's stuff like this that lures rich suburbanites back into the city -- especially if it's right by the stadiums, making it sort of a day trip. As for the Spectrum, it's a shame that Philly may lose that as a venue for sports and concerts, but something tells me something else like it would probably be built in its place not too far down the road. If not, why not try converting one of the many abandoned industrial wear-houses along the Delaware Waterfront in its place, like the Electric Factory?

[rainrock]

I wish someone had the vision to do something with that sea of parking lots from Broad Street all the way to the Walt Whitman Bridge. Id love to see them move the scattered warehouses out of there and create a neighborhood. Build a huge rectangular park and surround it with a mini street grid in the likeness of Rittenhouse Square but with more modern condos. Thats hideous whats there now.

This Philly Live looks pretty hokey. I was hoping for much better.

[leighland]

I'm totally in favor of it. It will help the few businesses there now like McFaddens and it will keep people downtown spending money. I heard that they plan to put in an ESPNZzone-like sports bar that will be the biggest in the area. They've worked out the parking, may try to extend the Broad St line there (Great Idea!). They haven't decided to knock the Spectrum yet but I think they will, rumored for a W hotel or hotel/Condo complex. What do you think they should add there? I've heard things like a skating rink.

[Tone509]

I'm glad to see something may be finally going up in the stadium area. The thing that ticked me off most about two new stadiums being built - besides the nine-figure price tag that the city and state had to absorb - was that there wasn't a plan for more entertainment options when there no events going on. The nearby community - including Council President Verna - seemed pretty resistant to the idea of more traffic coming through as well. I don't know what sparked the change of heart... but I'm glad people are finally seeing the light.

It will be a shame to see the Spectrum go... but we tore down the Vet for Citizens Park so I guess it's time to move on. I do hope the Phantoms get to play at the Wachovia Center on off-days... or else we might have the Reading Phantoms.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by leighland

I'm totally in favor of it. It will help the few businesses there now like McFaddens and it will keep people downtown spending money. I heard that they plan to put in an ESPNZzone-like sports bar that will be the biggest in the area. They've worked out the parking, may try to extend the Broad St line there (Great Idea!). They haven't decided to knock the Spectrum yet but I think they will, rumored for a W hotel or hotel/Condo complex. What do you think they should add there? I've heard things like a skating rink.

Comcast sees itself as a competitor to ESPN, my guess is we will see Comcast try to outdo the ESPN Sports Zone restaurant/bar theme in a big way. Eventually you might see Comcast Sports restaurants/bars pop up in Chicago,Washington,SF,Denver where Comcast Sports Center has solid footholds.


I also agree that the Spectrum is as good as gone. Seems like they are dropping hint after hint, trying to let people down slowly. If you are going to have this gigantic retail complex it makes sense to build hotels/condos for constant patronage. The Spectrum being old and antiquated just doesnt fit in with the big picture of what they are trying to accomplish. This is all about filling those shops/restaurants making it a hip destination and unfortuantely The Spectrum isnt hip.They can slide alot of events over to the Wachovia Center making it more cost effective.


I hope they give local businesses a chance e,g,. Chickie +Petes,Kildaires,Iron Hill,Triumph,Monks as opposed to national chains like Ruby Tuesdays,TGIF,Olive Garden etc.. I think the Philadelphia market is strong and big enough to pull that off.

According to one of the articles I read there will be a 3,000 seat music venue and movie theater complex? Not to sure thats a great idea. Movie theaters in Philadelphia tend to draw the wrong crowd.

And hopefully one day the area east of the stadiums gets developed. Thats a terrible waste of real estate down there.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by rainrock

And hopefully one day the area east of the stadiums gets developed. Thats a terrible waste of real estate down there.

I agree, and I think that this will mark the start of vast, thriving entertainment and residential district stretching from South Philly all the way up the Delaware shore line. The ideas and investors are here -- we just need enough practical and long-term planning to accommodate the infrastructure for it. Extending the city's grid system to the waterfront is an excellent idea to look into, for example. It's certainly not something that will happen overnight, but I think given the potential and proposals that keep being put forth for that area, something will eventually come to fruition.

[JerzBoy]

it does look a little cheesy. I don't know if a casino is a good idea. Does anyone know if any residential units are planned?

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by JerzBoy

it does look a little cheesy. I don't know if a casino is a good idea. Does anyone know if any residential units are planned?

The article does mention that the potential hotel complex would include condominiums, but with the real estate market softening, who knows how that will pan out:

The Philly Live! entertainment complex, to be located on the parking lot between the two Sports Complex arenas in South Philadelphia, is in such an embryonic stage that nothing is definite: not the price tag, not the plans, not the construction time, not the fate of the 42-year-old Wachovia Spectrum, which might be demolished sooner or later to accommodate a hotel/condominium structure.