Philadelphia 2035 (York, Washington, Riverside: millionaire, noise, elderly)

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

It is really bizarre. South Philly is so full of life, but cut off by Washington Ave and South Broad's three block moat between Washington and Fitzwater. I'm thrilled that the NW corner of Broad & Washington is being built, but the NE corner is sitting in Blahstein's control...who knows how long that turd will sit on the property and continue proposing BS suburban designs with no movement or commitment.

The irony is he used to have very good instincts about the next new "thing". It took YEARS to develop the, what was, the Piazza at Schmitts, because it was a brown field left by the demise of the brewery. Northern Liberties went on to influence Fishtown and also Old City and we all know how much all those areas have changed.

He saw how reviving N. Broad would work just as EB did. Then, foolishly as it's turned out, he thought putting a casino in the Inquirer Bldg., made sense.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by kyb01

The irony is he used to have very good instincts about the next new "thing". It took YEARS to develop the, what was, the Piazza at Schmitts, because it was a brown field left by the demise of the brewery. Northern Liberties went on to influence Fishtown and also Old City and we all know how much all those areas have changed.

He saw how reviving N. Broad would work just as EB did. Then, foolishly as it's turned out, he thought putting a casino in the Inquirer Bldg., made sense.

Actually, Old City's rejeuvenation took off before Northern Liberties', but the Piazza complex was the project that turned Blatstein from just another strip-mall developer to urban transformer. Liberties Walk, across 3rd Street, preceded it, however.

I suspect one reason Blatstein hasn't been able to gain traction with other projects now is that he put all his chips, so to speak, on the Provence project. (Of course, Broad and Washington being a massive slab atop a block-sized podium hasn't helped any either.) And he seems to have no Plan B for the inquirer building.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Actually, Old City's rejeuvenation took off before Northern Liberties', but the Piazza complex was the project that turned Blatstein from just another strip-mall developer to urban transformer. Liberties Walk, across 3rd Street, preceded it, however.

I suspect one reason Blatstein hasn't been able to gain traction with other projects now is that he put all his chips, so to speak, on the Provence project. (Of course, Broad and Washington being a massive slab atop a block-sized podium hasn't helped any either.) And he seems to have no Plan B for the inquirer building.

It's obvious he put a lot of energy into the Provence project and there's no plan B while the Inquirer Bldg continues to deteriorate.

I'm aware that Old City's initial revival started in 80s with Steve Solms, Carl Dranoff and Historical Landmarks for Living. But its current development has been influenced by its neighboring northern communities.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by kyb01

It's obvious he put a lot of energy into the Provence project and there's no plan B while the Inquirer Bldg continues to deteriorate.

I'm aware that Old City's initial revival started in 80s with Steve Solms, Carl Dranoff and Historical Landmarks for Living. But its current development has been influenced by its neighboring northern communities.

I interviewed a developer on Friday who remembered me from various presentations before the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association Zoning Committee, which he liked appearing before because the members were a knowledgeable bunch ("they're all architecture critics, and one of them gave really good quote" was my characterization of the group).

I guess I can see the path from the Piazza at^W^WSchmidt's Commons (it got rebranded when Jared Kushner took it over) to 205 Race, but they'd never allow the latter building in NoLibs. Way too big.

[cpomp]

Toll Bros. shrugs off call for Jewelers Row preservation in condo plan


I would like to hear everyones opinions, what do you think of the tower??


I actually think the tower is decent, not sure how I feel about the faux industrial/colonial façade yet... but still better than other new towers in the city. From the comments online (I know Philly.com is troll central) people don't even seem to be giving it a chance just because its Toll Brothers, as if other developers care any less about the almighty dollar. Jewelers Row issue aside, I think people should be pleased a company like Toll is beginning to invest in the city rather than bypassing it for NYC and DC.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Toll Bros. shrugs off call for Jewelers Row preservation in condo plan


I would like to hear everyones opinions, what do you think of the tower??


I actually think the tower is decent, not sure how I feel about the faux industrial/colonial façade yet... but still better than other new towers in the city. From the comments online (I know Philly.com is troll central) people don't even seem to be giving it a chance just because its Toll Brothers, as if other developers care any less about the almighty dollar. Jewelers Row issue aside, I think people should be pleased a company like Toll is beginning to invest in the city rather than bypassing it for NYC and DC.

I think it's a shame. I stand by what I posted earlier on this matter:

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

The problem with having this high rise on Jewelers' Row is that it won't be the last. Once the fabric of the block has been broken, this building will drive real estate value higher and the jewelers will one by one begin to leave when they can't afford the rent.

There are lots of nearby spots for Toll Brothers to build what will be yet another mixed use extravaganza without permanently destroying a corner of the city with actual character.

[MB1562]

Any other location it would be great. But it just seems so out of place in that neighborhood.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Toll Bros. shrugs off call for Jewelers Row preservation in condo plan


I would like to hear everyones opinions, what do you think of the tower??


I actually think the tower is decent, not sure how I feel about the faux industrial/colonial façade yet... but still better than other new towers in the city. From the comments online (I know Philly.com is troll central) people don't even seem to be giving it a chance just because its Toll Brothers, as if other developers care any less about the almighty dollar. Jewelers Row issue aside, I think people should be pleased a company like Toll is beginning to invest in the city rather than bypassing it for NYC and DC.

No one cares about comments on philly.com. Toll will build it (it's not as bad as it might have been).

Toll spent a bundle creating Naval Sq. so they have not bypassed the city. My issue, as always, is with their boring approach to what they do build here.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

I think it's a shame. I stand by what I posted earlier on this matter:

I agree that it will break up jewers row. Everything about it is bad for the neighborhood. Toll Brothers doesn't give a crap about the neighborhood, only lining their own pockets.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

I agree that it will break up jewers row. Everything about it is bad for the neighborhood. Toll Brothers doesn't give a crap about the neighborhood, only lining their own pockets.

If this tower were not located directly on Jewelers Row, how would everything about it be bad for the neighborhood? Its a conservative design that "fits" with the historic character of the city, it would infuse new residents into the area, and would still be 100' shorter than the St James 2 blocks away? I really don't get the logic.


And like I've said before, name a developer who actually cares about the neighborhood, they all want to line their pockets, that's what developers do!