Category manayunk

Significant mixed-use project coming to Brewerytown

Rendering of Girard27 | Courtesy of Hidden City Philadelphia

 
If I’ve said it once, (or about 6 other times on my blog … here, here, here, here, here, and here) I’ll say it again: Brewerytown has momentum.

Not the kind of momentum where real estate developers, speculators, buyers, and tenants are guessing that Brewerytown will be one of Philadelphia’s hottest neighborhoods. Brewerytown is one of Philadelphia’s hottest neighborhoods for real estate.

Both commercial and residential alike.

If you’re already familiar with B-Town’s recent success, you’re ahead of the curve. If you’re not, here’s how I personally look at Brewerytown’s current situation.

West Girard Ave (between N 32nd St & W College Ave) is a perfectly-sized “Main Street” for the dense, historic neighborhoods that surround it (i.e. Brewerytown, Templetown, Fairmount, etc). Stretching about 6 city blocks, this swath of W Girard offers mixed-use potential, interesting architecture, reasonable rent, and a captive audience.

Not too small, and not too big.

So, why am I even mentioning this commercial strip? Because it’s potentially turning Brewerytown into the next Manayunk … the next Fairmount … the next Graduate Hospital … the next Cedar Park and Spruce Hill.

Those neighborhoods are all thriving today based on the same, traditional, old-as-time concept: community. Where the community is strong, the neighborhood is strong. And because Philadelphia was built/planned to embrace tight-knit communities, this concept still rings true today.

Now that Girard27 has been planned for N 27th St and N Taney St, and received a decent enough reception from both long-time and newbie residents, my opinion is that this corridor now has a legitimate anchor. The new Bottom Dollar supermarket was a nice touch on the western border, and the Braverman project (which is just across the street from Girard27) will only add more appeal. Also, let’s not forget about some of the other small businesses along W Girard (i.e. RyBrew, Shifty’s Taco, etc).

Needless to say, Brewerytown is coming into its own.

Although this may seem like old news to some, especially those who already live in the immediate vicinity, I felt that adding a professional real estate opinion would help bring the good news home; and also provide a different perspective from someone on the outside, looking in.

For those who have never been to Brewerytown, or have not visited for a while, good things are happening … and the timing seems to be perfect.

What has long been in store for Market East, is now coming to fruition

This image lays out the entire plan.

 
My last post on PUL.com talked about Paul Levy and some of the projects he has worked on over the years to help move Center City Philadelphia forward.

One such project I mentioned, “The Road to Dilworth Plaza Park,” is a solid anchor for Market East, from City Hall all the way down to Old City. Not to mention that it will also serve as an anchor for the recent activity on Market West, but let’s keep our focus toward the east for now.

Well, good things are being talked about in the news.

If you have ever taken SEPTA regional rail to Market East, walked through the sets of doors to the escalators, taken the escalators up to street level, and walked through the additional sets of doors onto Market St, you have probably noticed an outdated, unsuccessful string of retail shops directly across the street.

This retail strip is known locally as Girard Square.

To be honest, these stores are pretty weak for where they sit in proximity to both Midtown Village and Old City. Not even considering the fact that they’re right across the street from one of Philadelphia’s busiest public transportation hubs.

If you shop at Girard Square, please do not take offense. I just think Philadelphia can do better, and they are about to make good on that statement.

Come summertime, Girard Square will be no more. In its place will be an updated, modern, mixed-use, shiny new development that will include new shops, new restaurants, and new residences, along with large digital marketing displays outside (now allowed along Market East, per a new zoning ordinance). Finally, Market East is starting to realize it’s potential, as I have blogged about this before (over 2 years ago).

Here are some of the details, per the article from PBJ that inspired this post:

“The 4.3-acre site takes up an entire city block bound by Market, Chestnut, 11th, and 12th streets. The building fronting Market St will be taken down, and the first phase will rise in its place. It will total $230M and encompass 650,000 square feet.

“That initial phase will include constructing a 17-story tower that will have the first two levels dedicated to 160,000 sq ft of retail space, and the remainder an apartment structure with 322 units. It will also involve renovating the 200,000 sq ft family court building and preparing that for retail space on the street level and office space above.”

Right on, Market East!

Not only do I like that the developers are phasing this project properly (supply and demand), but the most visible part (remember that picture I just painted for you in Paragraph 4, walking out of Market East station) is first in line for redevelopment.

All in all, the project is shooting for 2M total sq ft of brand-new, mixed-use space, and a total investment of $500M.

Not bad, not bad at all.

Paul Levy is determined to make Philadelphia better … for everyone

Paul Levy in Center City, PHL | Image courtesy of Hidden City Philadelphia

 
He has been called the “King of Center City,” and “one of Philadelphia’s most powerful people.” To me, he is both a game-changer and a man with vision.

Paul can see what most people don’t see, and he can also see the path to get there. His visionary approach to changing Center City for the better has resulted in more development, more restaurants, more overall investment, and a new Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Needless to say, this guy just finds a way to get things done.

I have always been a big fan, and take the time to read articles that are either written about him or are written based on an interview with him. It’s cool to see someone who has a plan, and is able to stick with that plan for over two decades.

This article is a good way to see what Paul is currently working on for our beloved city. In traditional PUL fashion, here is the breakdown:

1. The Road to Dilworth Plaza Park: This was one that Paul pushed for a while, and it’s now set for completion at the end of 2014. The multi-million dollar transformation will take “Dilworth Plaza” from a stale, outdated, granite-ridden nothing into a usable, sustainable, public green space (which will then be referred to as “Dilworth Park”; nice touch). There will be greenery, fountains, public art (which is a standard for Philadelphia), a skating rink, and a new cafe. Think of it as a new kind of Rittenhouse Square, only with a castle in the middle, easy access to trains/subways, and a new place to eat. It’s a great project, and should help jump-start all of the proposed projects/speculation for Market East; including a reimagination of The Gallery.

2. The Public/Private Partnership: Otherwise known as CCD, or the Center City District. What a beast the CCD has become in changing Center City for the better. Let’s clean the streets … check. How about some better lunch/dinner options … check. Let’s get some more people to live down here … check. Oh, let’s light the streets better, create more places to hang out, spruce up the Parkway, and just make Center City awesome … check. So, how does he do this? There is no clear cut answer, but in general Paul is able to bridge the gap between city/state government and private corporations/companies. The result, Center City is booming and better than ever today.

3. CCD has transformed Center City into one of the most livable downtowns in the US: Center City Philadelphia has history, it has modern amenities, it has a fantastic food/shopping scene, it has great parks, and it’s considered the 3rd Most-Populous Downtown in the US. With suburbs garnering less attention these days, and cities getting more attention daily, “downtown” (in any major US city) is its heart and soul. It’s the core, the base, the identity. This is why Philadelphia is growing and getting a more notable national reputation. Do we have our fair share of issues? Yes. Political corruption, poverty, litter? Yes. Slow to get things done? Yes. But … it’s slowly starting to change. Philadelphia is an exciting place to be, and the energy is contagious. Paul Levy is a big reason why Philadelphia has so much momentum today.

Another day, another soap box.

Being that I was raised just outside the city’s northern boundary (What’s up, Abington), some may say I’m a bit biased; fair enough.

But if you have been away from Philadelphia for a while, or have moved away altogether, here is my advice to you. Look at your calendar, plan a visit to Center City on a sunny spring/summer day, keep an open mind, and my guess is that you will also see what I am seeing … progress.