Should they renovate and build more upscale shops at Gallery (Philadelphia: crime, live in)

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by Angus215

Casino in CC is a horrible idea. Look at the crowd Sugar House attracts. You want more of those people in CC? That's what you would get and it would kill the city. they should focus on attracting tourist-focused businesses that WON'T turn market east into even more of a ghetto. there was supposed to be a disney venue there about a decade ago, but that idea got killed two recessions ago. D&B is a good idea. Movie theatre is a good idea. What about a museum of some sort - like an American Revolution museum? a more upscale, tourist focused mall like the one in Baltimore inner harbor might be a good idea if they tore down the gallery. there is also a ton of unmet demand from the convention center - the reading terminal is bursting at the seams. there has to be something that can be done to address that issue.

I have read that there is room to extend the RTM toward market street, think only the one bar would have to be moved, seem feasible. On the Revolution museum, there is one being built in Valley Forge park actually, think the national Revolutionary war museum.

On the Casino, agree if it were going to be more like Sugar House no way but if was more upscale it could be a positive, think more like Borgota on a smaller scale with higher end bars/restaurants and a nice hotel that could integrate into the space. I agree degenerage gambling would not help anything there

[Angus215]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

I have read that there is room to extend the RTM toward market street, think only the one bar would have to be moved, seem feasible. On the Revolution museum, there is one being built in Valley Forge park actually, think the national Revolutionary war museum.

On the Casino, agree if it were going to be more like Sugar House no way but if was more upscale it could be a positive, think more like Borgota on a smaller scale with higher end bars/restaurants and a nice hotel that could integrate into the space. I agree degenerage gambling would not help anything there

Would be great if they extended the RTM to the bottom floor of convention center on market st. it's a complete waste of space the way they have it now and they seem to have a lot trouble renting out the retail space in there. pretty much the only thing it gets used for is the train they set up at christmas. the brew pub has changed names a couple of times - it has no street frontage and is kind of hidden so doesn't seem to do very well. Would love to see the RTM expanded - it's one of the great markets in the USA.

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by Angus215

Would love to see the RTM expanded - it's one of the great markets in the USA.

Agreed!!

[Avalon08]

I remember going to the Gallery when it first opened and the crowd was a little sketchy then....and that's when S&C was the anchor. I was just there recently (had to kill time while watch was getting fixed) and it's just sad to see what it's become. I can't see how that location could support an upscale mall with the surrounding area of Market Street so downscale.

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

I remember going to the Gallery when it first opened and the crowd was a little sketchy then....and that's when S&C was the anchor. I was just there recently (had to kill time while watch was getting fixed) and it's just sad to see what it's become. I can't see how that location could support an upscale mall with the surrounding area of Market Street so downscale.

The mall is strictly for teens. I have no reason to go in there unless I need to go to K-mart and I can just enter from the street if I need to go in there

[MsChelle]

The facade of the Gallery needs a major face lift. It's ugly and non-descript. A "sexy" place to shop in Philly is Macy's. It's located in the old Wanamaker's building, a gorgeous building inside and out. Almost all of the most beautiful buildings in Philadelphia are pre-1930: Independence Hall (1753), the Art Museum (1928), City Hall (1901), Wanamaker building (1902), 30th St. Station (1933), and the Bourse (1895), among others.

Originally Posted by 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.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

The mall is strictly for teens. I have no reason to go in there unless I need to go to K-mart and I can just enter from the street if I need to go in there

While it may seem like kids take over from time to time, the majority of stores do cater to adults IMO.

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Tone509

While it may seem like kids take over from time to time, the majority of stores do cater to adults IMO.

FYE used to be a major reason why I went in there but ebay.com and itunes changed all that

[MsChelle]

I totally agree that ideally, they would demolish it and start from scratch on both sides of Market street near where the Gallery is. The building that the Staples is in near 10th & Market is atrocious. I saw a photo one time of a beautiful old building that stood where the Gallery stands now. But I doubt any major changes will take place in the current economy. I don't mind the current retail stores at Market East because it's reasonably priced and I'm a student on a budget.

I know it's not an apples to apples comparison (because of the layout of the buildings) but Park West Town Center in Parkside (near 52nd & Lancaster) is nicer than the Gallery. Of course, the neighborhood isn't as nice, but it's a nice shopping center, especially for a lower-income neighborhood.

Originally Posted by 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

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by MsChelle

I totally agree that ideally, they would demolish it and start from scratch on both sides of Market street near where the Gallery is. The building that the Staples is in near 10th & Market is atrocious. I saw a photo one time of a beautiful old building that stood where the Gallery stands now. But I doubt any major changes will take place in the current economy. I don't mind the current retail stores at Market East because it's reasonably priced and I'm a student on a budget.

I know it's not an apples to apples comparison (because of the layout of the buildings) but Park West Town Center in Parkside (near 52nd & Lancaster) is nicer than the Gallery. Of course, the neighborhood isn't as nice, but it's a nice shopping center, especially for a lower-income neighborhood.

You can also get killed on 52nd and parkside along with robbed-lol