Philly Shark

East Park Reservoir Land Gets Programming

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:58:00 +0000

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission recommended a bill Tuesday that would authorize the city to lease a 50 acre property surrounding the East Park West Basin in Strawberry Mansion to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development. Under the terms of the bill, PAID would then sublease the property for the creation of the East Park LEadership and Conservation, a collaborative project of the National Audubon Society and Outward Bound Philadelphia.

The plan includes the construction of a 17,000 square foot building with classrooms and areas for viewing the more than 200 species of birds that visit the park. The Center will also include paths and trails that will be publicly accessible Thursday through Sunday in the warm months and Friday through Sunday in the colder months.

More on other City Leased Land at PlanPhilly

58th Street Greenway Opens

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:57:00 +0000

The highly anticipated 58th Street Greenway opened last Saturday after three years of planning and more than a year of construction and ongoing community involvement. The 1.5-mile, 43.5 million trail provides a link between the Cobbs Creek Trail, Bartram's Garden and the trails beyond Southwest Philadelphia.

The greenway is a Pennsylvania Environmental Council project and is one more piece o both The Circuit and the East Coast Greenway trail network puzzles. The Circuit aims to build and connect 750 bicycle trail miles throughout the Philadelphia region, and the East Coast Greenway is an endeavor to build a continuous 3,000-mile bicycle trail from Maine to Key West Florida.

Cira Center

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:18:00 +0000

As construction Progresses at the Grove at Cira Center South, there is still hope for Cira Center II Tower at 30th and JFK. The original concept is a beautiful design that would add tremendous appeal to the Philly and University City skylines.

Roof Top Pool at the Grove

Park atop Parking Garage

Cira Center I and II

Cira Center Development Proposal

38th and Chestnut Apartment Tower

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:41:00 +0000

A new apartment tower will rise at 38th and Chestnut Streets, developed by Radnor Property Group. Radnor Property is purchasing the neighboring properties from the Episcopal Cathedral to build the apartment tower. The purchase will also provide revenue to renovate the existing church building and fund the church's community programs.

Designed by BLT Architects, the 25 storey building will have 280 rental apartment units with retail at street level along both Chestnut and 38th Streets. There will be a church community center and school, attached to the original church structure, and a day care center in the basement. The developer are planning to break ground in September with an anticipate 2015 occupancy date. The new tower will appeal to University City Science Center workers as well, as Drexel and Penn Students and Center City workers.

Rucker Philly; Help rebuild Ralph Brooks Park

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:52:00 +0000

Urban Roots is a non profit organization that is dedicated to revitalizing Philadelphia's communities by enhancing specific urban redevelopment projects, through mentoring youth and fine art. They have teamed up with the City of Philadelphia and a local Non-Profit (I.am.SP) to strengthen Philadelphia's Point Breeze neighborhood by rebuilding the local basketball court and playground to create a hub for community building and renewal. Urban Roots has launched a crowd funding campaign with a goal to raise $315,000.

If you Love Philadelphia, show your support and Donate!! Donate Here

3601 Market Street Tower

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 04:52:00 +0000

The future apartment tower at 3601 Market Street will rise 310 feet with 27 floors, making it the tallest building in the Science Center and the tallest on Market Street in University City. It will have 362 apartment units of different sizes, 15,000 square feet of retail space on Market and 36th streets, 194 parking spaces, and 121 bicycle parking spaces.

The facade of the tower will have large-paneled windows at the corner of 36th & Market, and staggered windows across the majority of the building with balconies. The parking garage will be three levels above ground and visible above the retail portion, with an entrance on Filbert Street. New street trees will also be planted along 36th street. Construction should be complete by Spring 2015.

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center; 3737 Market Street

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:02:00 +0000

As part of the University City Science Center's huge 1.5 million square foot expansion, 3737 Market Street will be home to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The institution will occupy 155,700 square feet of space. the remaining 88,000 square feet in the tower will be controlled by the Science Center and its joint venture partner, Wexford Science & Technology.

Construction is moving at a progressive pace of the 11-story Class A mixed use facility, with the foundations and base complete, now you can see the steel skeleton rising in a few areas.

The building will have a steel frame and composite metal deck structural system. The exterior wall will be a combination of insulated glass panels with crystal grey tinting and an aluminum-framed curtain wall with spandrel panels. The ground floor will have granite stone veneer in keeping with the adjacent buildings. The roof will be Energy Star thermoplastic with a modular green roof system. The building will also be designed to LEED silver standards.

Completion is set for September 2014.

1900 Arch Street Update

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:55:00 +0000

The corner of 19th and Arch streets is busy with construction as a new Luxury condo building goes up across the street from where the former American Commerce Center was to be located. I am personally all for a new super scraper to top off the Philly skyline, Comcast Center just doesn't do it for me.

The new residential building to be added to the Philly market, 1900 Arch Street, designed by Varenhorst Architects, is being developed by EBRM & PMC Property Group. The mixed use development includes 26,000 SF of ground level retail and second-floor office space. The upper floors house 236 one-and-two-bedroom units which been designed to maximize views of the city. As a benefit to the residents and the neighbors, green roofs and landscaped courtyards complete the vision for this former vacant site.

Varenhorst worked closely and collaboratively with the client, community groups, and the city of Philadelphia to realize this substantial new addition to Center City. The architect's solution to optimize construction of the project incorporates a modular structural wall system, a panelized rainscreen facade, and energy-efficient mechanical systems.

Planning Commission Considers Both BRT and Park Option for "The Cut"

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:05:00 +0000

The Planning Commission will now consider both BRT and park options for City Branch, the below-grade corridor stretching from Broad Street to 27th Street where freight tracks used to run. Next week, PCPC will release the final version of its Central District Plan, which will include the park and recreation space, not originally included in the drafted document. Although the park alternative will be added to the plan, PCPC will maintain their main position for the primary used being for transportation with a possibility of a recreation trail or other recreation space done in conjunction.

When PCPC evaluated all the needs for the district, it decided that part of the city doesn't necessarily need more park space, but the transit line is something they feel can be a real necessity.

Read more on PlanPhilly Here.

The Granary

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:40:00 +0000

The luxury apartments at The Granary in Logan Square are developing quite nicely. The building will contain 227 luxury apartments, over 20,000 square feet of prime retail space and underground parking. The apartments feature modern finishes with in-unit washer/dryer, and select units will also feature balconies and high ceilings. The building will have a fitness center, library/music room, club room and outdoor terrace, business center, rooftop deck, and concierge services.

Pennsylvania Mormon Temple Update

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:16:00 +0000

Work progresses forward at the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mormon Temple site. The new Temple will stand adjacent to the Philadelphia Family Court House on Vine Street. Extensive excavation is being done to prepare for the underground parking facility that will support the Temple structure above and tree filled gardens surrounding the site.

PHL Family Court Update

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:42:00 +0000

The future Family Court Building currently rising at the northwest corner of 15th and Arch Streets will unite the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Division facilities of the Philadelphia Family Court. The facility was recently topped of earlier this month. The occasion was celebrated by state and local government officials, project team members from the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) and Tishman Construction Corporation, just to name a few.

The 670,000-square-foot 15 floor facility designed by Ewing Cole, will feature space for court queuing and security, court support offices, public waiting areas, staff support areas, holding cells and judges' chambers for court administration. The facility is expected to open in June 2014.

older photo

PHS Plans for Next Generation Civic Landscapes

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:05:00 +0000

The Philadelphia Horticulture Society is currently investigating seven potential sites to serve as canvases to its next generation of civic landscapes initiative. In recent decades PHS had developed landscape approaches to improve high-profile places like the Azalea Garden and Logan Square, as well as less show-stopping locations like the medians along Columbus Boulevard.

PlanPhilly reports that the organization also seeks to design impressive Welcome Gateways to the city at the International Airport and in the Northeast Corridor along the Amtrak/Septa rail line running through North Philadelphia. For the last year and a half, PHS worked with PennPraxis and more than 100 key stakeholders to zero in on which sites in Philadelphia are most worthy of their focused attention alongside community and civic partners.

Here are the seven sites currently at the top of their list:

1. North Broad (Diamond St. to Spring Garden St.)
2. Central Broad (Spring Garden St. to South St)
3. South Broad (South St. to Passyunk Ave)
4. Vine street (Benjamin Franklin Bridge/ 5th St. to 20th St.)
5. Northeast Corridor (Amtrak/SEPTA rail corridor through North Philadelphia)
6. West Girard Avenue (29th St. to 41st St)
7. Airport (PHL/I-95)

Each project could include multiple projects at a variety of scales; may focus mor on making a positive impression ("image-makers"), fostering a sense of place ("place-makers"), or improving neighborhood connections and quality of life ("partner-makers").

PHS has several tools in mind to help improve these spaces, including signage, surface textures, land or aquatic forms, furniture, landscape screening techniques, vertical or horizontal plantings, lighting, and artistic installations.

Family Court Redevelopment

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:11:00 +0000

The process is finally underway to selecting a developer to convert the historic local landmark at 1801 Vine Street into a hotel. The presence of government institutions on the Parkway will finally be a mistake of the past and we can now envision a more complete future that embodies culture, education, livability, leisure, entertainment, and exploration.

After a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process last year, five development teams were selected to submit proposals for the property's reuse in a process being overseen by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC). The five teams are: HRI properties, Dranoff Properties, Peebles, P&A Associates, and Logan Square Holdings. Proposals are due July 10 and will be evaluated by a selection committee comprised of representatives from city agencies.

The pre-qualified developers are being asked to consider turning the building's upper floors into a hotel, find creative ways to retain public access to areas of the ground floor's historically designated interiors, and must achieve a minimum sustainability threshold of a LEED Silver rating.

Philadelphia Wins EPA Grant To Plan for the Reuse of Brownfield Properties Along Frankford Creek

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:14:00 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Philadelphia as one of 20 communities to receive a grant to conduct a planning study to guide the cleanup and reactivation of brownfield land. A $200,000 grant to Philadelphia will fund a study for a four- square- mile- area of the Frankford Creek, including sections of the Bridesburg, Frankford, Port Richmond and Juniata Park neighborhoods. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission applied for the grant, which was announced April 25th, and will manage the planning process.

The grant is the first step toward reusing formerly industrial properties along Frankford Creek in new and exciting ways, says Gary Jastrzab, Executive Director of the City Planning Commission. the revitalization of the area was the focus of the recently adopted Philadelphia 2035: Lower Northeast District plan.

The former Coke and Rohm and Haas site, totaling 126 riverfront acres in the Bridesburg neighborhood, present economic development opportunities for waterfront redevelopment and community revitalization. Similarly, the former site of Edgewater Dyeing and Finishing presents a unique opportunity for creek-side redevelopment in Frankford. The rehabilitation of brownfield sites will also enable the development of the Frankford Creek Greenway, a greenway that would connect Tacony Creek Park to the North Delaware Riverfront.

2116 Chestnut; Apartment High-Rise Update

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:19:00 +0000

The soon to be completed high-rise rental at 2116 Chestnut will offer studios, 1 and 2 bedroom units, along with indoor parking, a dog run, car share, and bike storage. Studios start at $1,700 per month and 1 bedrooms at $1,950 per month.

Marketed as resort style living, the fifth floor of 2116 Chestnut features a professionally landscaped sun-deck with a spacious lawn, green roof, hot tub, lounge seating and a grilling area with outdoor kitchen. Indoors residents can enjoy and entertainment suite featuring a catering kitchen and a club room. Also on this level is a state-of-the-art fitness center, business center with conference rooms and media room.

Paseo Verde Update

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:33:00 +0000

The transit oriented development designed by WRT in partnership with Jonathan Rose Companies and AMP, is progressing quite well and looks like it could be complete by the end of summer. The 1.9-acre brownfield site sits adjacent to SEPTA's Temple University Station – the fourth busiest stop in the regional transit system. The project consist of a mixed-use program focused on affordable and market-rate workforce housing. Paseo Verde offers 120 units of sustainable housing for low and moderate income families, approximately 30,000 SF of ground floor retail and community services, commercial office space, and parking.

When completed, Paseo Verde will link residents, workers and students to one of the busiest transit stations outside of Center City, and will represent the culmination of a decade-long planning effort by APM to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood and successfully reintegrate the local community into both the neighboring Temple University campus, and the broader urban fabric beyond.

The project is designed to attain the highest levels of LEED for Homes and LEED for Neighborhood Development certification, and aims to serve as a model for sustainable redevelopment in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.

Morgan Hall; Temple University

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:10:00 +0000

Temple University's Morgan hall raises the skyline of North Philadelphia as it inches closer and closer to opening day. The project will surely help user in a new age of vitality to the North Broad street corridor, pushing limits of the "unexpected" in North Philadelphia.

The $174 million, 736,000 square foot apartment complex features a beautifully understated (except for its hight) contemporary 27 story tower joined by a ten story dorm on the south end designed by MGA Partners. The two dorms will contain at least 1,200 beds in 4-person suites and 20 singles. There will also be dining facilities and new retail dining space in a separate building on North Broad Street and a courtyard in the middle of the complex. The project is set to open July 2013.

Wanamaker Plaza North Tower Update

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:41:00 +0000

Temple University's housing options continue to grow as another project progresses on the 100 block of Cecil B. Moore Ave. The site that will soon be new student housing was once formerly the John Wanamaker Middle School.

Once complete, the $100 million project developed by the Goldenberg Group will sit 14-stories tall at 214 feet, adding 832 beds for Temple students. The apartments will be ready for the fall of 2014.

Goldtex Building Update

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:24:00 +0000

The Post Brother's Goldtex apartment conversion project is moving along smoothly after setbacks in 2012 by Philadelphia labor unions delayed progress. The building will be complete with 168 loft apartment units, roof terrace and pool, parking for 50% of its residents, and a few other special perks. Construction should be complete later this summer.

The Grove at Cira Center South

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:41:00 +0000

Cira Center South is finally moving forward. Demo of what was left from the former demolition began a few months ago on the Narrow parcel on the Chestnut Street side of the project. The future building, called the Grove at Cira Center South, will be the product of a partnership between Brandywine Realty Trust and Campus Crest Communities.

The 33 story tower will contain units for 850 residents in apartments (not including guest) with rents starting at $1300/mo and costing $158.5 million. Brandywine expects Drexel students as well as Penn students will live in the tower. The building will draw students toward the campus neighborhood and away from the West Philly and Center City housing.

Brooklyn Flea Travel Downstream to Philly

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:21:00 +0000

The famous Brooklyn Flea, going into its 5th year in Brooklyn, has decided a few months ago to spread its wings to its southern brother Philadelphia. Brooklyn Flea has become a staple in the city, making one of the coolest places to spend time on a weekend. Heavily focused on curation, the market features everything from antiques, vintage clothing, handmade goods, jewelry, and food. Co-Founders Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby plan to provide a broad representation of all those categories, but make it local and discover the many great vendors in the Philly area and pull them into that model.

On Sunday, June 2nd, the weekly Brooklyn Flea Philly will debut at the Piazza in Northern Liberties. Jared tells Philly Post, he sees the Piazza as a center of cultural energy, and feels its the perfect place for the brand to try its first geographic expansion. Check their site out Here

Edgewater Proposes Second Phase Tower

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:19:00 +0000

The not too impressive Edgewater development along the Schuylkill banks, although appropriate in context and function, is proposing a much nicer but still ordinary addition to the Edgewater complex. Realen Properties is proposing to construct the second phase of Edgewater, a multifamily complex at 23rd and Race streets. The addition calls for a 22-story building on an existing surface parking lot at the ramp off 23rd Street.

The first phase completed in 2006 costing $70 million consisted of a 13-story apartment complex with 290 apartments that overlooks the Schuylkill River part of the project, which included 20 three-story townhouses, also rentals.

Realen has already met with Logan Square Neighborhood Association to work out the development plan, the community groups seems to be okay with the project. The company is going through the zoning process and anticipates that it could be finished with that process by the end of the summer.

Will The Navy Yard Stand on Its Own As Innovation Hub?

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:42:00 +0000

The Navy Yard has now reached its 10,000 jobs mark with more people working there than ever before, and appears to be on track to influence more companies to relocate to the neighborhood. Part of its success is due to a buoyant technology business community, with some of that growth occurring at the expense of Center City. Now many are asking if the Navy Yard can stand on its own. Many have faith, but the biggest commitment will need to come in the form of infrastructure, in order to really see its full potential. Read more at Technically Philly Here.

G8-Life's 2300 Amber Residence

noreply@blogger.com (G8 Living) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:25:00 +0000

G8- Life is well along on the construction of its third home in Kensington at 2300 Amber Street. The two-story residence will look very similar to its counterparts at 2200 and 2400 Amber, only it will have a roof deck. The home will also be fitted with the same energy efficient design as the other homes, very indicative of sustainable practices at G8-Life. The home should see completion later this summer.