PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Scottydont

Found a few more renderings in the lobby:

Thanks. These are the ones I saw too. I like the lobby reno. I can't tell what they are doing on the outside. Not sure if there is some kind of recladding or just adding glass and opening it up to the street more and adding flush lighting. I suspect the latter.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Boku

According to the philly.com article, there has to be at least 18,000 parking spots in the sports complex. I wonder how much that limits the amount of development possible.

Very easy to replace this required parking with parking garages. It's a no brainer. You can get 4-5 times the amount of parking spaces in a much more confined area.

[nimshady]

or just take the subway...

[iheartphilly]

Another HQ-slow but steady wins. Will be located at Logan 3 and a local guy from Media, PA who went to Ursinus and Villanova.

U.K. company picks Philadelphia for U.S. headquarters
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel..._news_headline

And, maybe if Brexit does happen, we will see more financial firms from the U.K. set up shops in Philly. London's financial sector did lose their top spot so maybe they don't want to be in NYC to have to get their noses rubbed in. LOL.

[Nova08]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Another HQ-slow but steady wins. Will be located at Logan 3 and a local guy from Media, PA who went to Ursinus and Villanova.

U.K. company picks Philadelphia for U.S. headquarters
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel..._news_headline

And, maybe if Brexit does happen, we will see more financial firms from the U.K. set up shops in Philly. London's financial sector did lose their top spot so maybe they don't want to be in NYC to have to get their noses rubbed in. LOL.

Yes, cannot complain about this one. But would really like to see one of these moves with 100-150 people. Not just the 10-50 employees.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Nova08

Yes, cannot complain about this one. But would really like to see one of these moves with 100-150 people. Not just the 10-50 employees.

Singles and doubles.

The point is, as long as there's the right momentum, we can get there. A few 10-50s a month adds up fast.

I think this is great.

[allovertown]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Singles and doubles.

The point is, as long as there's the right momentum, we can get there. A few 10-50s a month adds up fast.

I think this is great.

Definitely agree. Plus it's not all about size. 500 people with mostly low level employees probably is less of a push toward new office construction than 100 people looking for trophy office space. The vacancy rates for high end space in Philly are incredibly low, get a few companies a month getting a floor here and a floor there, it just makes it even harder for the bigger guys to cobble together the space they need.

So even though these small companies aren't going to be the driving force behind a new office tower, with every one you get, it increases the chances that a larger preexisting Philly company is going to anchor a new building.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by allovertown

Definitely agree. Plus it's not all about size. 500 people with mostly low level employees probably is less of a push toward new office construction than 100 people looking for trophy office space. The vacancy rates for high end space in Philly are incredibly low, get a few companies a month getting a floor here and a floor there, it just makes it even harder for the bigger guys to cobble together the space they need.

So even though these small companies aren't going to be the driving force behind a new office tower, with every one you get, it increases the chances that a larger preexisting Philly company is going to anchor a new building.

Rhymes with Schmangard?

[Justin7]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Very easy to replace this required parking with parking garages. It's a no brainer. You can get 4-5 times the amount of parking spaces in a much more confined area.

Who requires the parking? The city?

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Justin7

Who requires the parking? The city?

The demand. You could potentially have a few different events going at the same time as well as a casino.

Gotta be able to handle all that.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Very easy to replace this required parking with parking garages. It's a no brainer. You can get 4-5 times the amount of parking spaces in a much more confined area.

Hum. How much time is that going to add to cars leaving after a game?

[tsarstruck]

I assume it's also contractually required in the leases of the sports teams.

[Milksteak]

I think requiring a parking garage for the casino and creating an auxiliary garage available for XFinity Live would be a good idea, but trying to incorporate a parking garage for sports games would be an absolute nightmare.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Milksteak

...trying to incorporate a parking garage for sports games would be an absolute nightmare.

Not to mention the effect it would have on the tailgating scene.....

[Kidphilly]

Originally Posted by Milksteak

I think requiring a parking garage for the casino and creating an auxiliary garage available for XFinity Live would be a good idea, but trying to incorporate a parking garage for sports games would be an absolute nightmare.

these already exist at many arenas and stadiums

I would love to see more infill

also I would imagine some surface lots would remain; in theory these could be premium priced for actual tailgating

Also if there is more infill there would also be more places to go prior or after.

Maintaining surface lots for tailgating seems short sighted also FDR park will always have some space for that regardless

[Milksteak]

Originally Posted by Kidphilly

these already exist at many arenas and stadiums

I would love to see more infill

also I would imagine some surface lots would remain; in theory these could be premium priced for actual tailgating

Also if there is more infill there would also be more places to go prior or after.

Maintaining surface lots for tailgating seems short sighted also FDR park will always have some space for that regardless

I want infill too, and have many times argued that the area around the stadiums should be much more than it is (ie numerous entertainment options, offices, apartments, etc.). I've been to more than a few stadiums in a lot of different areas, and some have no surface parking, places like Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, etc. But those are single stadiums in the middle of the city (and they really, really suck to drive into/out of)...we are different in that we have 3 stadiums/arenas out in the middle of nowhere, getting there by car is still super convenient - love it or hate it, but I believe it was built down there for this very purpose. Places like Pittsburgh have done a good job at balancing multiple stadiums with parking and an entertainment area w/ a bunch of bars and restaurants.

[summersm343]

I think we can balance mixed-use development and surface parking no problem. If everything between Wells Fargo Center and Hartranft Street for instance, was built up with mixed-use development and parking garages, that would leave PLENTY of surface parking lots in this area for tailgating and such.

[Hrytsyu]

Originally Posted by Milksteak

I want infill too, and have many times argued that the area around the stadiums should be much more than it is (ie numerous entertainment options, offices, apartments, etc.). I've been to more than a few stadiums in a lot of different areas, and some have no surface parking, places like Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, etc. But those are single stadiums in the middle of the city (and they really, really suck to drive into/out of)...we are different in that we have 3 stadiums/arenas out in the middle of nowhere, getting there by car is still super convenient - love it or hate it, but I believe it was built down there for this very purpose. Places like Pittsburgh have done a good job at balancing multiple stadiums with parking and an entertainment area w/ a bunch of bars and restaurants.

Informative results might be generated if someone, not me, analyzed a traffic pattern scenario whereby a stadium venue formerly served by vast fields of surface parking and no alternative commercial amenities, evolved into a mixed development area with multilevel carparks.

My assumption is other on-site activities will dampen and lengthen the exodus wave.However, I also predict a problematic late-ending weeknight game condition; sport attendees will be motivated to leave the site as opposed to seeking further entertainment. What, then, occurs in Pittsburgh during such a scenario?

[Milksteak]

Originally Posted by Hrytsyu

Informative results might be generated if someone, not me, analyzed a traffic pattern scenario whereby a stadium venue formerly served by vast fields of surface parking and no alternative commercial amenities, evolved into a mixed development area with multilevel carparks.

My assumption is other on-site activities will dampen and lengthen the exodus wave.However, I also predict a problematic late-ending weeknight game condition; sport attendees will be motivated to leave the site as opposed to seeking further entertainment. What, then, occurs in Pittsburgh during such a scenario?

There are a number of hotels located within walking distance of Heinz Field, so for out of towners like myself...that means no grabbing an uber or cab to get back to a hotel downtown (which is technically walkable - but brutal in December). After the game, I went out to the bars in the surrounding area along with what seemed like half of the attendees that went to the game. This is literally 2 blocks from the stadium:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4459...7i13312!8i6656

Even with all of that, leaving a game in Philly will always be a headache for drivers....which is why I still think surface parking is necessary. However, the more there is to do in the surrounding area, the less of an immediate post game exodus. Museums, Casinos, Restaurants, Bars, etc. and even apartments and offices can easily coexist with stadiums, parking garages, and yes, some surface parking. There is a ton of space down there, and most of it is being underutilized.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Milksteak

There are a number of hotels located within walking distance of Heinz Field, so for out of towners like myself...that means no grabbing an uber or cab to get back to a hotel downtown (which is technically walkable - but brutal in December). After the game, I went out to the bars in the surrounding area along with what seemed like half of the attendees that went to the game. This is literally 2 blocks from the stadium:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4459...7i13312!8i6656

Even with all of that, leaving a game in Philly will always be a headache for drivers....which is why I still think surface parking is necessary. However, the more there is to do in the surrounding area, the less of an immediate post game exodus. Museums, Casinos, Restaurants, Bars, etc. and even apartments and offices can easily coexist with stadiums, parking garages, and yes, some surface parking. There is a ton of space down there, and most of it is being underutilized.

It'd be cool if someone would do a master plan down there like they did for the riverfront.

It's literally a blank slate down there.