Ludlow homes
La Pradera
courtesy www.phila.gov and Mayor John F. Street
Hi, everyone. I hope everyone is having a great middle of the month. This week I have news about North Philly and Center City.
NORTH PHILLY NEWS:
This weekend I did more walking around the city. On Saturday, I walked from University City to the Delaware River waterfront and back and on Sunday I walked from University City to Yeadon and back. Except for a few walks over the bridge to Camden, I never walked outside of the city limits before. Great exercise! While walking around on Saturday, I observed some new things. For one, they've started site preparation for Trump Tower Philadelphia. Now, I'm not a fan of "the Donald", but it's sure to say that his new tower will bring a lot of attention to the waterfront. The design isn't so unusual, especially compared to other Northern Liberties designs, but it is quite tall at 45 stories and will have a five-star restaurant and plenty of other decadent luxury. That along with his name recognition will probably signal to a lot of people, including developers, that the waterfront is finally becoming the upscale destination that people have predicted for some time. Also, the next tower for Waterfront Square is going up next door. As I made my way to Northern Libs, I noticed that the next phase of "The Piazza" at Bart Blatstein's expansive development is well under way. That would finish off that part of the development, which I think is one of the most innovative new developments in the city. It would essentially create a sort of urban artist colony, granted one for wealthier artists and creative businesspeople. But, after all, it is an "urban" artist colony. It could become the downtown for the creative neighborhoods in that part of the city, and who knows how popular it could become for tourists!
Then after I walked around that development, I noticed a zoning notice on an old auto parts warehouse on Germantown Ave., just below Girard. The notice stated that there are plans to convert that building into a farmer's market with fourteen stalls. That clearly would add another happening amenity to that neighborhood. You know, I remember when that area was a desolate ghost town that no one knew about in Center City. Now its bustling with people and is the heart of trendiness!
Then I walked west of there and north of Girard through the neighborhoods that are just east of Temple. This area of the city is being rebuilt with two developments known as La Pradera and Ludlow. Despite what some in the Daily News would say, this is definitely a neighborhood that has been transformed! Most of the abandoned buildings and large empty lots have been replaced by new townhouses and duplexes, mostly with some open space around them. This was once one of the most blighted, poorest, and most dangerous urban areas on the East Coast, now it looks like a post card in the completed areas and a huge construction zone in the unfinished areas. La Pradera is completed, unless they want to expand it, and it is several blocks north of Girard Avenue. The homes there have aluminum shingles and peaked roofs that resemble farm houses. They're all duplexes with little front and back yards and some bricks in the sidewalks out front. Ludlow is just north of Girard and is still being built. These homes are a mix of duplexes and rowhomes with brick and aluminum shingles, as well as peaked roofs. Most are built to the sidewalk and have garages, and they all have back yards. These two developments are right in between the growing Temple campus and the booming neighborhoods of No Libs, Fishtown, and Kensington. Imagine what that will mean for the city if this whole area of the city were safe, clean, and prosperous while still providing decent affordable housing for working class families! For more info on Ludlow, you can get it at www.phila.gov/pha; they play smooth jazz on the site when you view the development!
CENTER CITY NEWS:
There's some interesting Center City news as well. The metro recently reported (and the Business Journal reported a few weeks ago) that the developers at 15th and Chestnut are claiming that they are ready to start building their tower at the parking lot on Chestnut Street this spring. It would be called 1441 Chestnut, at least for now, and would have a 174 room hotel and 174 condos. The top would be redesigned from earlier designs to let more sun into the Residences at the Ritz. The designs I saw of the project from a couple of years ago were truly striking; I hope they stick with that. I checked the website at 1441chestnut.com, but it is still not ready.
Also, I was walking past the site of what is supposed to be the 1601 Vine Street project, and there was a permit for demolition of the parking structure on the lot there, so I think they are finally ready to start that one. The project will have a 40 story condo and hotel tower, and a big shopping center with Wholefoods, Best Buy, and a few other chain stores where even trendy Center City people shop. There's a rendering and more info at http://www.grassoholdings.com/.
Well, that's what I have for now. Until next time, have a great week!
