Retail coming to Philadelphia (Pittsburgh, Lancaster: good quality, walkable, town center)

[asiandudeyo]

Originally Posted by kyb01

There are actually two quite good locations, in Center City, for a brand new full service Bloomingdales. Both locations are on a, soon to re-emerge, historic retail street. Market St. Shoppers have been coming to Market to shop for over 100 years. Folks won't be stumbling around to find it.

Center City retail's primary competition is the mega mall in King of Prussia, PA. That fact has been talked about, almost to death, on this thread. There are demographic reasons why it attracts lots of high end stores. That's also been talked about to death.

The city just gave the developer of the replacement for the Gallery mall $$$$$$$ so the city is very aware of the retail landscape and how to support it.

Also don't forget Atlantic Building on South Broad Street!

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by asiandudeyo

Also don't forget Atlantic Building on South Broad Street!

Didn't someone else post that something else is going in there? Was it Barney's?

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Didn't someone else post that something else is going in there? Was it Barney's?

Theres already a Barneys in Rittenhouse, I doubt they would move from that location since they just re branded from Barneys Coop to a normal Barneys New York.

There are renderings floating around with a Gucci and Burberry, but I think those were just for show. That part of Broad would look nice with some flagship stores though. The wide avenue is attractive.

[76ersgomccoygo]

There's no high end retail coming to center city anytime soon besides outlets.

[cpomp]

Pearl Properties Reportedly Buys Lululemon Building on Walnut Street - Property

Could be potential big developments. I would like to see that pathetic Lululemon building replaced with a shiny high-rise.

[asiandudeyo]

A good article about why Center City cannot attract high-end retailers:

Why Center City can?t plug into more than outlets - Philadelphia Business Journal

So everything that we have been discussing about 'why' is correct.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by asiandudeyo

A good article about why Center City cannot attract high-end retailers:

Why Center City can?t plug into more than outlets - Philadelphia Business Journal

So everything that we have been discussing about 'why' is correct.

KoP is the draw for luxury retailers, but overtime things will slowly change, and like we said though CC is wealthy and growing, that is only one small section of the city.

I still think CC can support a Nordstrom or Bloomingdales.

[asiandudeyo]

Originally Posted by cpomp

KoP is the draw for luxury retailers, but overtime things will slowly change, and like we said though CC is wealthy and growing, that is only one small section of the city.

I still think CC can support a Nordstrom or Bloomingdales.

I thought so too because like what I said in the past, people I know in the Center City area including my clients can afford luxury merchandise.
However lately I have been starting to suspect that we are in the minority.
This article just to confirm that we might be just an anomaly in the sea of people in Philadelphia.

To be honest at this point, I have become a naysayer. There is no point stressing out about it.
Maybe one day, this will become a reality that Philly will be a good shopping destination. But maybe at that time I might not even be in PA.
Meanwhile, I am just going to continue doing my shopping in KoP, NYC and Miami when I am lucky enough to go back there.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by asiandudeyo

I thought so too because like what I said in the past, people I know in the Center City area including my clients can afford luxury merchandise.
However lately I have been starting to suspect that we are in the minority.
This article just to confirm that we might be just an anomaly in the sea of people in Philadelphia.

To be honest at this point, I have become a naysayer. There is no point stressing out about it.
Maybe one day, this will become a reality that Philly will be a good shopping destination. But maybe at that time I might not even be in PA.
Meanwhile, I am just going to continue doing my shopping in KoP, NYC and Miami when I am lucky enough to go back there.

The other problem with those execs quoted is that none of them probably live in the city. Their attitudes reflect that.

[asiandudeyo]

Originally Posted by kyb01

The other problem with those execs quoted is that none of them probably live in the city. Their attitudes reflect that.

Exactly.
Your theory was actually confirmed in this article that when retailers are looking or a spot in Philly, they thought of KoP. They have no clue about the region.