Category sell

What to do with the old West Philly High?

There are currently many different ideas floating around right now (i.e. senior housing, condos, market-rate apartments, mixed-use, charter school, etc.). It’s really just a matter of who wants to invest in it, do the neighbors like the proposal, and will the city approve it.

If you take a look through the pictures from the article, it’s amazing to see how different things were built 100 years ago as compared to how they are built today. This was a school built with 97 classrooms and capable of holding almost 2,700 students (this was back in 1912). To give you perspective, the new West Philly High that was just built down the street currently has about 800 kids.

The good news is that the city is looking to sell this building sooner rather than later. The longer it sits, the more upkeep is needed (which costs money) and the worse it will be for the neighborhood (who wants to look at an old, abandoned school?).

My prediction is that the new zoning code will help move this property in the right direction. If I had to guess what it would become in the near future, I would say a charter school.

But hey, I could be totally wrong.

Metro Impact builds to suit in Graduate Hospital

 
You guys are probably getting sick of my constant blogging about Graduate Hospital all the time.

The truth is, it’s not hard to keep talking about it. Graduate Hospital (a.k.a. Southwest Center City, South of South, or G-Ho) is always in the news and seems to consistently get positive press. So much so that it inspired my Broker and I to create some short videos highlighting a lot of the area’s positive trends that are taking place as we speak. You can check them out on my YouTube channel. Plus, Graduate Hospital is also one of our office’s prime real estate areas for buyers/sellers/investors/renters, and it’s only a few blocks from where our HQ sits at 21st St & Locust St.

Bucks County builder, Metro Impact Homes, has been a driving force in this neighborhoods recent surge in popularity as well as overall value. What really attracted Metro to this area was the golden rule of real estate: Location, Location, Location. Because Graduate Hospital is in such close proximity to both Center City and University City, it seemed like an easy decision for them. The company has been building here now for years and has some very popular projects to show for it (i.e. 1910 Christian St, etc.), as well as some future ones on the horizon (i.e. Montrose Court, Fitz4, etc.).

Needless to say, if you’re looking for the Center City/University City lifestyle and want to avoid overpaying for it, Graduate Hospital may just be the right place for you.

Reading Terminal Market is getting bigger and better!

As if this place was not awesome enough already, Reading Terminal Market is expanding what is known as their “Eastern End” into multifunctional space.

Here are some highlights of the project:

  • Additional retail space for more successful vendors.
  • A demonstration kitchen for classes and the like.
  • Event space for meetings, parties, etc.
  • Expanded and renovated restrooms.
  • A permanent, museum-esque display of the Market’s history.
  • Estimated completion date: April 2012.

The Reading Terminal Market is an enormous, diverse, urban market in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. From produce, poultry, and baked goods to cheesesteaks and Amish food, RTM has it all.

Learn more about the market here.