PHILADELPHIA-CAMDEN-WILMINGTON-ATLANTIC CITY-READING | Metro Development Thread

[DEBOI302]

I read awhile back that wilmington of course can't annex its surrounding land didnt the govenor pass a law saying it could but if the land it tries to annex already has a population the people have to vote on being annexed by wilmington, i thought i read that in the News Journal, and if so why hasnt wilmington tried aquiring any land besides the experimental station? and of course great job of keeping the people updated on whats going down in the city kudos to you guys

[mglan80]

^Land owners can petition to become part of the city, but their land must be contiguous to city boundaries. The city was barred from annexation when DuPont was buying land to build the Experimental Station due to some chicanery between the city and the county I think.

Anyway, here's the article from today's News Journal regarding the Columbus Inn project.

Landmark Wilmington Inn Expected to be Sold

Condos Proposed for Columbus Inn Property
By MAUREEN MILFORD, The News Journal

A Rehoboth Beach real estate developer expects to finalize a sales agreement this week to buy the landmark Columbus Inn property on Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilmington as the site for a $30 million luxury condominium building.

Ocean Atlantic Associates 1789 LLC, whose partners include Preston A. Schell of Rehoboth Beach, David Grayson of Wilmington and Nick Hammonds of Rehoboth Beach, did not disclose the price for the approximately 1-acre tavern parcel. But terms of the deal call for Columbus Inn owner Davis G. Sezna to become a minority partner in the 10-story building project.

The project calls for the Columbus Inn restaurant to be shut down this summer and converted to a private club for the use of the condominium residents, said Hammonds, who is the nephew of Bruce L. Hammonds, president of Bank of America Card Services in Wilmington.

Sezna already has scaled back the restaurant operation to the original 1789 tavern, which seats 48 people. The inn is now open for dinner only. The downsizing of the original 150-seat full-service operation took effect on New Year's Eve, Sezna said. The staff has been cut from about 50 employees to about 10 people, he said.

The project still needs subdivision approval from the city, according to Pamela J. Scott, the attorney for Sezna. The property is zoned to accommodate the proposed 10-story building, Scott said. A hearing before the city Planning Commission is scheduled for Jan. 16.

If city approvals are granted, construction could begin this summer, Schell said. The condominium apartments would sell from $499,900 for a two-bedroom unit to more than $1.5 million for a top-floor penthouse. The building would hold 60 condominiums.

Schell said the restaurant must be shuttered to satisfy concerns among neighbors that a restaurant and condominium building would generate too much traffic and parking on neighborhood streets.

"Their concerns were legitimate," said Schell, whose group of companies, including Schell Bros., has been involved in high-end residential development in Sussex County since 1997.

Schell also said it was unclear if it was feasible to have a restaurant sharing the same parking garage with luxury condominiums.

City Councilman Paul F. Ignudo Jr. said the neighbors are concerned about the potential for congestion at Woodlawn and Pennsylvania avenues. He said the community plans to review the proposal.

"I'm not sure that closing the restaurant will ease their concerns regarding traffic. Whether it physically eases the traffic, it may or may not. I've never been presented evidence one way or the other," Ignudo said. "When you talk to the community about the restaurant, they like it."

The project will have parking for 125 cars.

James A. Tevebaugh, president of Tevebaugh Associates, the architect on the project, said the design took some cues from luxury developments in downtown Philadelphia. The building will have a variety of condominiums, including ground-level units.

All the units will have smaller, European-style balconies. The apartments will have 10-foot ceilings to allow for bigger window areas, more natural light, greater wall space and more drama, Tevebaugh said.

The condo interiors will be handled by Echelon Custom Homes, a Schell company that has been building luxury homes priced at more than $1 million in Delaware's high-end resort communities, including The Peninsula on the Indian River Bay.

The exterior design will have details to blend in with the residential character of the neighborhood.

"In that particular part of Wilmington, traditional is more sensitive for a 10-story building -- rather than something all glass or shockingly contemporary," Tevebaugh said. "Wilmington likes traditional."

Schell expects the first residents to begin moving in during the summer of 2008.

Sezna, who once controlled a hospitality empire in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, is converting a dining room on the first floor of the Columbus Inn into a wine store.

Sezna's father, Walter W. "Wally" Sezna, an area golfing personality, bought the historic Columbus Inn in the mid-1950s.

"When I look at my dad's gravestone, I know he's smiling," Sezna said. "My father would probably feel I should have done it five years ago."



Not too bad. Just lose the pediment nonsense.

[xzmattzx]

Does the Columbus Inn condo have an official name yet?

[DEBOI302]

Originally Posted by mglan80

^Land owners can petition to become part of the city, but their land must be contiguous to city boundaries. The city was barred from annexation when DuPont was buying land to build the Experimental Station due to some chicanery between the city and the county I think.

well if i was the city i would send the canby park area and elsmere and the bellefonte area and edgemoor letters saying that they just been annexed and see what they do lol, but seriously the city should promote its self offering discounts on utilities and other supply lines to make people wanna join the city, but thanks for clearin that up for me

[ryukyova]

That Columbus Inn rendering is a joke right? Did you notice the Inn tucked in the the middle of the condo structure? this is the perhaps the most embarrassing thing proposed in Wilmington since the amusement park like (wait that’s demeaning to all amusement parks) casinos in the river Christina or maybe the ridiculous structure proposed over I-95 a few years back. What is too bad is that if you wanted some examples of descent “traditional” mid-rise apartment buildings there are a few to look at along Delaware Avenue. I’d rather they copy a good existing building brick for brick than create new ill-conceived, badly proportioned traditional schlock. Once again Wilmington is thinking forward…straight to the 18th century!

[mglan80]

^I didn't even notice the Inn in the center of the ground floor. That's absurd. There is no need for superfluous architectural "accents." Can't there be satisfaction with understated class and dignity? The rounding of the windows on the top level are a good example, the "porch," pediment, and unsightly cantelevered balanconies are not. The general shape and massing of the building isn't bad, though; just the site placement and the "details." Then again, the project is being developed by locals who wouldn't know tasteful architecture from a nice brick building with a clock and lots of dormers. Hopefully, there'll be revisions.

[DEBOI302]

seems as if wilmington is slowing down a tad bit, is there any new proposals coming about in wilmington?

[DE-Builder]

WSFS office tower signals comeback
Bank overcomes financial problems and adds 15-story building to city
By MAUREEN MILFORD, The News Journal

Posted Wednesday, February 21, 2007

The $90 million WSFS Bank Center at 500 Delaware Ave. in Wilmington includes space that law firms, the U.S. Postal Service and PureBread Deli have leased. (Buy photo)

The News Journal/BOB HERBERT

WILMINGTON -- In recent decades, ceremonies for downtown real estate projects -- from parking garages to office towers -- inevitably include speeches about the bricks-and-mortar rebirth of the state's largest city.

But Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., veered down a different path Tuesday as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new WSFS Bank Center at 500 Delaware Ave. The former governor highlighted the amazing comeback of a financial institution.

Castle was governor in the early 1990s when he got word that WSFS had "substantial financial problems" so severe the institution might not survive. That's when Marvin N. "Skip" Schoenhals was brought in. Today, Schoenhals is chairman, president and chief executive of WSFS Bank and WSFS Financial Corp.

"Skip, I give you -- for the revitalization of WSFS -- a round of applause," Castle said before a crowd of about 250 people, including many of the state's movers and shakers in the public and private sectors.

For many in Wilmington, there's no greater symbol of the bank's revival than the new $90 million office tower in which WSFS is a minority, passive owner. The fact that the structure was built on ground WSFS took back from a real estate developer (in lieu of a foreclosure) after the commercial real estate market crashed in the early 1990s is all the more proof.

The 15-story building, developed by WSFS in partnership with Buccini/ Pollin Group Inc. in Wilmington, will give the bank significantly higher visibility than it has enjoyed in recent decades at its five-story home at 838 N. Market St. It has been at Ninth and Market streets since 1885.

While the current building, built in 1920 in a Greek Revival design, is one of the city's architectural gems, its prominence has diminished as the city skyline has grown taller and expanded north up Market Street and northwest from Rodney Square.

Mark A. Turner, WSFS chief operating officer, said the older building had outlived its functional life and had become too small to serve the bank's customers. Although Schoenhals said he had considered the possibility of a new headquarters building years ago, the growth of the bank in the past five years speeded up the timetable.

The new 371,000-square-foot slender glass tower will allow WSFS to put its name in lights on the skyline. Two green-and-black WSFS Bank signs will be displayed on the building, one facing south and one facing north. Both signs are visible from I-95.

A bank branch opened in the WSFS Bank Center in early January. Plans call for the bank's headquarters to move from Ninth and Market streets at the end of March. The bank branch in the Market Street building will be relocated across the street to 833 N. Market St.

The historic bank building will be sold to Buccini/Pollin. Christopher Buccini, a partner in the development company, said he is working hard to make the structure work as a boutique hotel.

"It's part of our big vision for Market Street," he said.

While WSFS is a major occupant in the WSFS Bank Center, with slightly more than 60,000 square feet of office space and a roughly 3,700-square-foot bank branch on the ground floor, the tower is a multitenant structure. Another key tenant is the law firm of Morris James LLP, which relocated to the building in November from 222 Delaware Ave.

In December, the law firm of Ashby & Geddes moved to the building, also from 222 Delaware Ave.

On the street level, the building has leased space to the Postal Service for a 9,000-square-foot post office branch. The Rodney Square Station, as it is known, had been located on Rodney Square since 1937. It moved its retail and delivery service to the WSFS Bank Center at the end of January.

PureBread Deli, which leased 3,000 square feet of space on the ground level, is expected to open in March.

Contact Maureen Milford at 324-2881 or mmilford@delawareonline.com.

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[DE-Builder]

Columbus Inn condo plan tabled again
Mayor seeks time for talks with area residents
By ADAM TAYLOR, The News Journal

Posted Wednesday, February 21, 2007
WILMINGTON -- For the second straight month, the city Planning Commission delayed approving an out-of-town developer's plan to close the landmark Columbus Inn and build a 10-story condominium tower on the property.

Tuesday's tabling was granted at the request of Mayor James M. Baker, who wants Ocean Atlantic Associates, a Rehoboth Beach development company, to discuss the plan with neighborhood residents who have said they feel the plan was shoved down their throats.

The developers have the right to build a 10-story building, but need the planning commission's approval because city law requires it if condominiums are part of a new development.

"They have the right to build it, but I think 10 stories is too high," Baker said. "Hopefully, the residents can convince the developers to agree to a more modest height than what is currently being proposed."

That is not likely, said Pam Scott, an attorney for the developers.

"My understanding from my clients is that it's as low as it's going to go," she said.

Last month, the commission tabled approving the subdivision plan until traffic studies could be analyzed. Tuesday, the commission said the traffic studies indicated the impact in the immediate area would be minimal.

The $30 million project calls for 60 condos with two levels of underground parking.

While the tabling is technically indefinite, Baker's chief of staff, William S. Montgomery, who also is a member of the Planning Commission, said he'd like the negotiations between the developers and residents to take place before the commission's March meeting.

Scott said her clients want construction to start this summer.

Coverdale Road resident Harry Haon said he's hopeful the developers will agree to build a smaller tower.

"I think the commission's message this month is for the community to have their input into the project be considered in good faith," he said.

City Council members Paul Ignudo, Loretta Walsh and Campbell Hay said Tuesday that the developers have not been forthright with the community so far. For example, Hay said, in earlier community meetings the developers said that a much smaller building was planned.

"You can't tell the neighbors one thing at a meeting, file a completely different plan with City Hall and then call yourself a good neighbor," he said.

Scott said the developers have listened to community concerns. The closing of the restaurant, she said, was done to appease residents' concerns about traffic and parking.

But the three council members said they don't believe that. They said the majority of the residents would have preferred a plan that would have included keeping the restaurant open.

The original stone section of the Columbus Inn building dates to 1789.

Contact Adam Taylor at 324-2787 or ataylor@delawareonline.com

[banned]

Bump, this thread needs some new life

[DE-Builder]

It's a mystery as to why cranes don't block out the sun in Wilmington. Delaware consistanly ranks in the top five of business friendly states in all catagories(tax rates, fairness of adjudication, simplicity of regulation) etc while NY, PA and NJ rank at the bottom. If the city and state Econ dev. offices were not completly incompetent , there would be a traffic jamb of incoming companies.

[Joey D]

By the way, haven't seen this thread in years, haha.

If anyone hasn't already noticed, there is a sign at 2nd and Frenchish streets with a picture of 2 Christina Center (or whatever it was called.)

Apparently they are busy preleasing and are getting ready for development despite the glut in office space (?)

What's the lowdown, MGlan, and btw when do you move into the new WSFS HQ?

[DE-Builder]

Joey D

I'm not sure there is a "Glut" of office space in wilmington.

When Bank of America swallowed MBNA, the fear was that BoA would put one or more of MBNA's downtown buildings on the market. That seems to have passed and development plans that were on hold seem to be rolling forward again.

Buccinni Pollin is moving forward with their Justison Landing project which included a couple hundred thousand square feet of office space in 4&5 story buildings alond with residential and retail.

[xzmattzx]

The sign is at 2nd and King as well.

It will be nice to fill up that parking lot with a skyscraper.

Joe, check your inbox on SSC.

[mglan80]

There was never really a glut in the Wilmington market, just a potential glut. The new space has been coming online at a pretty even pace, and is being obsorbed. 500 Delaware Ave. is edging closer to 80% leased once a few more leases are finalized, and 444 King Street is doing ok. Justison Landing is building at least one of the smaller office buildings on West Street, which is probably about 60,000-70,000 sq. ft. I still don't think 2 Christina Centre will go up until late 2008 or early 2009.

In other news, the Columbus Inn condominium "tower" recieved its site approval last night. The neighbors are mourning the "destruction" of their neighborhood.

ps - we move on Friday

[DE-Builder]

also O'Neill got aproval for the Bancroft mill condos.

Mglan, how did the move go? did you get a good view in your new office?

[Joey D]

Maybe glut in office space was a bit strong, but you have to admit there is a bit of an unhealthy office supply ratio in Wilmington yet to add another large building on speculation.

I would love to see it built though, don't get me wrong.

I never appreciated how cheap Delaware was until the past few months

Makes me long for home every time I pay something, or get paid.

[DEBOI302]

i saw that sign earlier today for the 2 christina centre. is it going to be the new tallest building in wilmington?. because the sign says "taking wilmington to new heights", so it makes it sound as if the building will be the tallest, will it.

[xzmattzx]

I don't see 2 Christina Center being any taller than JP Morgan Chase' other two buildings there. I think the slogan is referring to the cutting-edge design that is usually seen only in very large cities.

[mglan80]

An update on lower Market: the Lippencott project is back on track and work is being done to renovate almost the entire 300 block on the Parcels side. Good news for the neighborhood.

By the way, the view's pretty good from the 12th floor at 500 Del. Ave.