PHILADELPHIA | Lowrise/General Developments Thread

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by chimpskibot

Beside the risk to human life, there is also a municipal cost to building in flood zones whether via rescue, cleanup or remediation. I am in the camp that this project should not move forward and Venice island should be made into a park with ability to take in water during flooding, thus acting like a barrier to the rest of Manayunk. As a city we are not ready for climate change especially in Manayunk, NoLibs, along the Delaware piers and banks of the Schuylkill.

Making Venice Island into a park wouldn't mitigate flooding very much. It's certainly true to say that soil absorbs water far better than concrete and asphalt can, but floods like the one that happened last year don't happen just because of inadequate stormwater drainage, they happen because of extreme rainfall and are in most cases, unavoidable.

You could build a berm on Venice Island in an attempt to keep the eventual 100 year flooding at bay, but that would be expensive and may just end up redirecting more water into the canal.

If the residential floors are built above the 100 year floodplain, I see no problem with this development. Would I live there? Maybe, but that's because I don't own a car.

Better stormwater management along the entire Schuylkill would benefit Manayunk in the long term, but until then other than smaller improvements there's really no huge solution.

Philly in general is attempting to move away from a combined sewer-stormwater system, and when they've finished Manayunk will be in better shape for those 100 year floods. Updating the pumps that are in Manayunk would also help things.

Note: I am not a stormwater expert.

[ok-ez]

Originally Posted by McBane

Why do people get so concerned about flooding? I don't mean to come off as heartless but the only parties that should really care are the developer and the tenants. And yet.....flooding hasn't deterred buyers/tenants. I would never live there precisely because of the flood risk. But I'm glad to see continued development here, as long as the banks will finance it and people want to live there and keep Main Street going. But if you're not living there or don't have a financial stake in the project, why would you care about the flooding?

taxpayers foot the bill for federal flood insurance

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Gotta love the misleading headline. I really hope this project moves forward, The change in brick color is a fine compromise, but I don't understand the historical commission mindset regarding height...

It actually infuriates me they changed the brick color. The commission should be happy it's brick and not some cheap metal panel.

I mean, if developers can't build like this on the 2200 block of Walnut...in one of the most underutilized pockets of Center City, then WHERE can they build up?

It's absolute bullshit.

[PhilliesPhan]

I can’t confirm since I’m in California right now, but I received an email from the UFCA stating that work has officially started on the Francisville Triangle.

[William Van Alen]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Gotta love the misleading headline. I really hope this project moves forward, The change in brick color is a fine compromise, but I don't understand the historical commission mindset regarding height...

The Inquirer loves its clickbait headlines. If I remember correctly, the headlines aren't written by the same people who write the articles. Either way, glad to see they've hired a new real estate reporter after Adelman apparently left. Jake Blumgart is a great reporter, too. I was sad when he left PlanPhilly, glad to have him back again.

[EastSideHBG]

Originally Posted by McBane

Why do people get so concerned about flooding? I don't mean to come off as heartless but the only parties that should really care are the developer and the tenants. And yet.....flooding hasn't deterred buyers/tenants. I would never live there precisely because of the flood risk. But I'm glad to see continued development here, as long as the banks will finance it and people want to live there and keep Main Street going. But if you're not living there or don't have a financial stake in the project, why would you care about the flooding?

Originally Posted by chimpskibot

Beside the risk to human life, there is also a municipal cost to building in flood zones whether via rescue, cleanup or remediation. I am in the camp that this project should not move forward and Venice island should be made into a park with ability to take in water during flooding, thus acting like a barrier to the rest of Manayunk. As a city we are not ready for climate change especially in Manayunk, NoLibs, along the Delaware piers and banks of the Schuylkill.

Originally Posted by ok-ez

taxpayers foot the bill for federal flood insurance

Exactly, this impacts all of us in the long run.

[helloworld]

regarding 545 n broad, i think it does look really great in that golden hour photo. i've been a little disappointed with the facade materials but, like mcgrath said, canno is reliably awesome. it's fun to watch this progress and i think the final product will totally rock.

now that lvl north is activated with a grocery store and street trees i admit i'm a fan. i kind of love everything that's going on around broad/spring garden and hope that all of this culminates with the mural west tower

[japmes]

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan

I can’t confirm since I’m in California right now, but I received an email from the UFCA stating that work has officially started on the Francisville Triangle.

I walked by there last week and didn't see any activity. There were a few pieces of machinery with weeds growing all around them and cars parked all around the outer edge.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by William Van Alen

The Inquirer loves its clickbait headlines. If I remember correctly, the headlines aren't written by the same people who write the articles. Either way, glad to see they've hired a new real estate reporter after Adelman apparently left. Jake Blumgart is a great reporter, too. I was sad when he left PlanPhilly, glad to have him back again.

Correct, editors write heds and there are different editors for online too. Adelman went to Barron's btw.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by helloworld

regarding 545 n broad, i think it does look really great in that golden hour photo. i've been a little disappointed with the facade materials but, like mcgrath said, canno is reliably awesome. it's fun to watch this progress and i think the final product will totally rock.

now that lvl north is activated with a grocery store and street trees i admit i'm a fan. i kind of love everything that's going on around broad/spring garden and hope that all of this culminates with the mural west tower

There's actually trees?! That's good to hear.

Any my friend who lives a block West said the new Giant is awesome and convenient.

[iamrobk]

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan

I can’t confirm since I’m in California right now, but I received an email from the UFCA stating that work has officially started on the Francisville Triangle.

Heard from a friend who lives nearby that they put up signs saying they were going to start towing cars parked on the edges of the lot starting 7/25, so it may well be under construction. I remember there’s been 1 or 2 other times they’ve tried to crack down on people parking there and nothing actually ended up happening (in terms of the construction, but also in terms of people parking there LOL), but I guess we’ll see.

[El Duderino]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

There's actually trees?! That's good to hear.

Any my friend who lives a block West said the new Giant is awesome and convenient.

this project turned out way better than I was anticipating and the Giant is indeed huge and awesome. def a big win for the area along with all the other projects close by

[TonyTone]

[PHLtoNYC]

^ Second picture, does anyone know what housing complex is just to the left of the Fairmount Manor site? It looks in rough shape.

And the 2100 Hamilton Condo building turned out a lot better than the renders, the angles make up for the all glass façade.

[helloworld]

The city launched what they’re calling Framing the Future of the Roundhouse this week to determine the best way to move forward with the building.

There is engagement opportunities (and a cool photo of the pre-cast construction from 1960) in the link below and there will be an open house event at Franklin square next Thursday 8/4 from 1-5.

www.roundhousefutures.comhttp://www.roundhousefutures.com

[TempleGuy1000]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

^ Second picture, does anyone know what housing complex is just to the left of the Fairmount Manor site? It looks in rough shape.

It's just called the Spring Garden Apartments PHA.


Also, great photo updates helloworld and TonyTone! Keep em coming.

[SEFTA]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

Love love lovin' your new drone
Since Low Rise haven't their own threads
Please tag w addresses

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by SEFTA

Love love lovin' your new drone
Since Low Rise haven't their own threads
Please tag w addresses

Thank you, ill have some more heat this week!

I meant to do that last night. Ill update these & do it for future posts as well.

I really think for projects of a certain size that dont hit the height limit requirement for a thread should still get one due to it the project being large in width & size compared to height.

@Mcgrath @Summers what do you guys think?

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

Thank you, ill have some more heat this week!

I meant to do that last night. Ill update these & do it for future posts as well.

I really think for projects of a certain size that dont hit the height limit requirement for a thread should still get one due to it the project being large in width & size compared to height.

@Mcgrath @Summers what do you guys think?

Rules are rules. Nothing below 12 stories.

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Rules are rules. Nothing below 12 stories.

That makes sense. Whats the 12 commandments of SSP?