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

[EastSideHBG]

Originally Posted by PhillyRising

It's sad to hear the far east end is now seeing a lot of crime. It wasn't that way when I grew up there in Norris Hills. It always felt like we were buffered from the ills that afflicted other parts of Norristown.

Yeah it's a shame and NH is sketchy now too. Fun fact: relative to Pennsylvania, Norristown had a crime rate that is higher than 86% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes. I will have to check and see what the most recent data says if this is not it but I can't imagine it improving.

[EastSideHBG]

I was at the PM Mall recently and ugh it is sad to see it so dark, devoid of people, many empty spaces... The only real life is all found in spaces that can be accessed from the outside.

And this blurb is interesting but at the same time I do wonder how all of these luxury apartment buildings in the area will be able to survive long-term and there seems to be too many going up lately:

Outside of this effort, PREIT is currently seeking zoning relief to build an 11-story, 503 unit, apartment building on the property. The township is opposing this application.

In addition, Keystone Property Group owns the office building adjacent to the mall that is nine stories and 173,440 square feet. It is currently not occupied. There had been a plan to redevelop this building as a senior living facility, but that did not move forward.

PREIT partners with CBRE to seek new uses to further redevelop the Plymouth Meeting Mall

https://morethanthecurve.com/preit-p...-meeting-mall/

[TonyTone]

Three Good News'

Flight of alcohol bills aim to support, expand industry

https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/ne...pand-industry/

DCAD sells Saville residence hall for $3.3M

https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/ne...-saville-sale/

Two companies to redevelop Riverside properties, bring jobs

https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/ne...side-econ-dev/

Great news for Delaware & Major for Wilmington Market st is getting plenty of investment and 2 new good Businesses replacing the old factories and etc.

PLUS THEY ARE OPENING UP SOME OF THE OLD TRAIN TRACKS ALLOWING FOR IMPORT OF GOODS HOLY WOW THIS IS BIG.

[EastSideHBG]

Exclusive: Lord & Taylor at King of Prussia Mall being eyed for office space
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...taylo.amp.html

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by EastSideHBG

Exclusive: Lord & Taylor at King of Prussia Mall being eyed for office space
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...taylo.amp.html

Interesting. I wonder how this would connect to/interact with the mall on the inside.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Interesting. I wonder how this would connect to/interact with the mall on the inside.

Cool concept, still a little surprised Saks didn't relocate from Bala.

And still waiting on the plans for the former JCPenney space. KoP could use a mid-rise (luxury) hotel. Tysons has a Ritz Carlton right in front the Galleria. That concept would do well in KoP too.

[jonesrmj]

With Frontier Airlines non-stop flights to Orlando set to resume, the Transportation Security Administration has federalized the New Castle Airport.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be launching the only commercial air service from Wilmington-New Castle Airport," said Barry Biffle, president and CEO of Frontier Airlines. "We look forward to providing an affordable and convenient air travel option for residents in the greater Delaware area."

Flights from ILG to Orlando will begin three times a week on February 11, 2021.

The resumptions come as the Delaware River and Bay Authority recently completed $2 million in renovations to the airport, including the checkpoint and baggage screening areas, as well as the secure area of the terminal. Additionally, updates to the traveler experience included a new, modern check-in and ticketing counter, streamlined passenger screening, and gate-area seating and infrastructure upgrades to communicate flight information.

Wilmington Airport Terminal Exterior



Future Check in Area



Renovated Gate Seating Area

Read more - https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/relea...ercial-flights

[summersm343]

Developer O’Neill buys Inquirer printing plant in Philly suburbs for expanded office-and-lab plan

Developer J. Brian O’Neill, founder of the substance-abuse chain Recovery Centers of America, has bought The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Montgomery County printing plant from the newspaper.

O’Neill paid $37 million for the Schuylkill Printing Plant at 800 River Rd. in Upper Merion Township, which The Inquirer announced last year it would sell in a cost-cutting move, the newspaper’s publisher, Lisa Hughes, said in an email to staff on Tuesday.

O’Neill confirmed that he bought the Inquirer property, but had no other immediate comment.

He had previously said that he had signed a contract to buy the 674,000-square-foot building on more than 45 acres beside the Schuylkill, saying it would form part of a network of lab and office buildings occupied by a life-science tenants that he has planned for the area.

The other components of what he has dubbed Discovery Labs consist of a pharmaceutical complex once owned by GlaxoSmithKline and offices that O’Neill’s business bought from Liberty Property Trust.

Read more here:
https://www.inquirer.com/news/oneill...-20210202.html

[mcgrath618]

There's a certain PRR Alco RS-3 hiding in the bushes over there...

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by jonesrmj

Wilmington Airport Terminal Exterior


Future Check in Area


Renovated Gate Seating Area

Read more - https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/relea...ercial-flights

This is great! Nice additional airport option for the region.

[summersm343]

2 manufacturers to expand in Wilmington, create 135 new jobs

Two manufacturing companies plan to expand in Wilmington after securing hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants. Combined, the two are now set to invest $12 million in their new locations and create as many as 135 new jobs.

The state’s Council on Development Finance (CDF) approved the grants to the companies, Wilmington-based Eastern Highway Specialists and New Jersey-based Advantage Building Supply.

Read more here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...Pos=5#cxrecs_s

[summersm343]

KoP, Bala Cynwyd mall owners look to fill vacant department stores with medical space

Article behind paywall, but you can see a rendering. Looks like two planned buildings maybe? One looks to be at least 8 to 10 stories tall. This is the old Lord & Taylor site on City Avenue. Who can read it? Any more juicy info in here?

Article behind paywall here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...ice-space.html

[jonesrmj]

Frontier outfits their check in counters at Wilmington Airport (ILG) - https://twitter.com/FlyWilmILG/statu...29385683492872

[Nomad9]

Encouraging to see Frontier complete its return even though while travel numbers are still probably way down.

[Jawnadelphia]

"The Cooper" - Lower Market Street, Downtown - 90+ luxury apts.
-Getting close to the finish line. BPG ended up going with a white brick veneer over a gray sort of stone look. It looks fresh, I can't complain.





Back of the building facing King Street:


"The Falls" - The Highlands section of the city, Brandywine Creek, Alapocas Run State Park - 300+ luxury apts.






Second building of this development (blue panels for one, red for the other)



-Capano really value engineered this design IMO, much of the facade is now corrugated panels, and I don't care for the red/blue panels. In case people are wondering, 3 bedroom units are going for over $3000/month and have already all been pre-leased.

You can see the new Incyte Pharma laboratory/office space/parking deck rising near The Falls, poking thru the woods along the Alapocas park trail.





And finally...
BPG continues their North Wilmington development at The Concord
- which is a mixed-use complex of luxury apts, restaurants, retail and office space on Silverside Road, just before Rt. 202 (Concord Pike).




Screenshot from: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8zIe2g_G2/

One other note:
The "Avenue North" mega-mixed use complex planned for the old AstraZeneca HQs on Rt. 202 (Concord Pike) has more construction equipment on site everyday.
More info here:
https://www.ediscompany.com/news-and...whats-to-come/

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by Jawnadelphia

"The Cooper" - Lower Market Street, Downtown - 90+ luxury apts.
-Getting close to the finish line. BPG ended up going with a white brick veneer over a gray sort of stone look. It looks fresh, I can't complain.





Back of the building facing King Street:


"The Falls" - The Highlands section of the city, Brandywine Creek, Alapocas Run State Park - 300+ luxury apts.






Second building of this development (blue panels for one, red for the other)



-Capano really value engineered this design IMO, much of the facade is now corrugated panels, and I don't care for the red/blue panels. In case people are wondering, 3 bedroom units are going for over $3000/month and have already all been pre-leased.

You can see the new Incyte Pharma laboratory/office space/parking deck rising near The Falls, poking thru the woods along the Alapocas park trail.





And finally...
BPG continues their North Wilmington development at The Concord
- which is a mixed-use complex of luxury apts, restaurants, retail and office space on Silverside Road, just before Rt. 202 (Concord Pike).




Screenshot from: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8zIe2g_G2/

One other note:
The "Avenue North" mega-mixed use complex planned for the old AstraZeneca HQs on Rt. 202 (Concord Pike) has more construction equipment on site everyday.
More info here:
https://www.ediscompany.com/news-and...whats-to-come/

The Cooper looks great glad they choose good materials that is really gonna change Market st. I expect more investors after that finally opens.

Also that Bancroft mills project is not liked by many on Facebook they are complaining. IMO Wilmington needs that development in order to attract more people and grow.

They wanted old school brick buildings to be built and well that costs extra to bad.

[Nomad9]

Yeah those apartments on the Brandywine could’ve fit the environment far better than that, but it’s a great location, it beats what was there, and more housing is a great thing.

[Mikieman]

Literally stumbled upon this today outside of Allentown, I don't see an Allentown thread so close enough I suppose, new Air Products HQ.
20210208_113937 by , on Flickr
20210208_113956 by , on Flickr
20210208_113909 by , on Flickr

[jslice]

Originally Posted by Nomad9

Yeah those apartments on the Brandywine could’ve fit the environment far better than that, but it’s a great location, it beats what was there, and more housing is a great thing.

Yeah really disappointing choice. That is arguably the most naturally beautiful spot in Wilmington and had great potential. They made it look like a self storage unit.

[Busy Bee]

Those Cooper buildings look nice. IMO almost any hand laid brick is a better option over some cementitious faux stone product. I think the white is a great choice and will stand the aesthetic test of time.