Blatstein Broadens His Horizons
The new owner of 400 N. Broad Street, home to Philadelphia Media Network (Philly.com, Daily News, the Inquirer)? The newsiest address in town? Well, according to Philly.com...
Mr. Bart Blatstein of Tower Investments.
The price for the 18-story building has not been disclosed, but we're already thinking of what Blatstein's dreaming up for the place.
Offices? Another luxury condo? A boutique hotel, perhaps? With the Convention Center expansion, that would make the most sense.
No word yet on where the HQ of Philly's biggest newsroom will move. What do you think of the sale?
Northern Liberties Supermarket Update: Super Fresh?
The neighborhood of Northern Liberties certainly has many small, independent shops, gourmet delis and cafes, and there always seems to be plenty of spots for those looking to grab a unique bite. One thing it is missing, if you ask any resident, is a full supermarket to serve the rapidly growing community.
For the past few years, the neighborhood was promised a Pathmark next to the Piazza, which we've covered before. And then there were some issues with parent company A&P filing for bankruptcy last year...
Now we're hearing that the Pathmark could instead be a Super Fresh, from the latest at Philadelphia Business Journal.
We'd just like to see the 52,000-square-foot store open as soon as possible. Whatever store that happens to be, it will be the missing ingredient for this neighborhood. We have so many good things to say about Northern Liberties, this will give us one more!
We'll confirm as the details roll in.
UPDATE: Super Fresh is aiming for a late summer opening and is currently hiring.
Would you support a Super Fresh in your neighborhood?
Related:
Market Watch: Who Wants a Wegmans in Northern Liberties?
Topping Off at the Shops at Schmidts
Update on the Shops at Schmidts in Northern Liberties
The Shops at Schmidts: Two Months In
Sunday OUT and Erection Up! The Tower on Second Street.
Only at the Piazza! "Every day is an adventure," Bart Blatstein said to us last night as we watched the engineer weld the last piece of steel on the base of the Tower that now stands on North 2nd Street in Northern Liberties.
"This was just a thought in my head a few weeks ago."
With a creative mind and seemingly endless resources, Blatstein managed to salvage a 15,000 pound steel structure that once peered over the Piazza from the roof top of one of Tower Investment's properties on Hancock Street. "This will be a great meeting place for people," Blatstein explained to us. "Meet you at the Tower!" he said, with a sense of knowing that, that is exactly what people will do and say. "This is going to be an organic type of installation, ever changing, perhaps we'll add some greenery, a solar powered wind mill..."
I could see the sparkle in Bart's eyes as the possibilities for this Steel Tower began to reel though his mind. "I think it is important to salvage things. It is a reminder of the past. I think that is important. People should remember." We listened intently trying to gain some insight from Mr. Blatstein. Sadly, we were interrupted by a call on Blatstein's cell and we headed home. Today the Tower stands strong much like those folks who are attending this Sunday Out!
What do you think? Got any fun nicknames for the Tower?
Market Watch: Who Wants a Wegmans in Northern Liberties?
Wegmans. Whole Foods. Trader Joe's.
Now that it appears that Pathmark is out for Bart Blatstein's long-awaited supermarket/shopping center novella, the Shops at Schmidts.
Let's just say that the neighborhood was not surprised after A&P, Pathmark's parent company, filed for bankruptcy late last year. After Pathmark began to close stores, many of us got to wondering: Would the Northern Liberties opening fall through?
According to Philly.com, Blatstein is moving on to Plan B, which means fulfilling his goal of having a supermarket chain in the space, whether it's Pathmark or something else. We're voting for Wegmans, because there's no Philadelphia location yet, and this space looks to be big enough for the boutique grocery mecca. It'd be something different, and would suit the tastes of the Top Chef-obsessed, organic-buying-inclined Northern Liberties homeowners.
But we'll take anything...we just want a supermarket. We'll keep you posted!
What do you think?
Related:
Topping Off at the Shops at Schmidts
Update on the Shops at Schmidts in Northern Liberties
The Shops at Schmidts: Two Months In
Summer Called, It Wants You to Join the Arrow Swim Club
As far as previews go, last night's Arrow Swim Club Preview Party, held at swanky Northern Liberties event space Tendenza, is the movie we all want to be a part of this summer.
Tendenza was transformed into Bali for the evening, complete with bikini models and cabana boys, massage stations from On the Spot Wellness, and screens everywhere depicting the new over-21 members only pool lounge that is set to open on May 1st behind the Piazza at 1031 Germantown Avenue. The dressed-to-the-nines crowd was eagerly signing up to be a part of the exclusive club (which is accepting only 1,000 members for its May to September season) at $1,000 a pop. What does this membership include exactly? From the website:
> 1,380 square foot, 4 1/2' deep pool
> Posh Cabanas with personalized service & luxuries
> Balinese lounge chairs, over-sized day beds & portable sun umbrellas
> Complimentary plush towel service
> Shaded hammocks
> Ping pong tables & accessories
> Upper level sundeck
> Air-conditioned men's & women's locker rooms
> Cozy fire-pit lounge
> Live DJ & music entertainment
> Complimentary wi-fi coverage
> Courtesy flavor ices & refreshing cold towels offered by pool attendants throughout the day
> Poolside food & beverage service
> Outdoor shaded bar & restaurant
> Access to Chenango Bar & Restaurant
> Gift Shop offering specialty sundries, clothing & spa products
> Private & poolside spa services
> Special events/programs such as yoga sessions, outdoor movie screenings, member parties
> Free self-parking & discount valet parking
Not a bad way to spend the summer, right? Every year we wonder what could happen next in Northern Liberties (the neighborhood where no idea is too far from actualization) and every year we get another cool venue to tell people about when they come to visit. Now, when people ask if Northern Liberties has a swim club with cabanas and a firepit, we'll tell them:
Why, yes. Yes it does.
Applications will be available on the website on Monday, March 7th.
It’s Party Season: Tower Investments Holiday Party at Tendenza
A Shout out and Happy Holiday to Tower Investments, who hosted a fantastic party at Tendenza this week. We had a great time in this gorgeous new venue.
Special thanks to Bart Blatstein for another successful and exciting year of growth and development in Northern Liberties.
We are excited for a fantastic 2011!
Opportunity Knocks for Exciting New Developments in Philadelphia
[Inquirer: Developer stands to reap millions from state capital budget]
Before you get too riled up that yet another bigwig is going to get money when the rest of us are scraping to make ends meet, we challenge you to think of the potential good that will come on the coattails of folks who can make things happen.
If Pennsylvania's $4 billion capital budget proposal goes through, the neighborhoods of Philadelphia can expect some major development action as a benefit.
Tower Investments developer Bart Blatstein would be among the recipients, with about $100 million in funds earmarked for upcoming projects that would include:
- A rehab of the State Office Building at Broad and Spring Garden Streets (apartments, shops)
- A 45-room hotel with a banquet facility next to the Piazza at Schmidts in Northern Liberties
- 86-suite boutique hotel at Second and Poplar Streets in Northern Liberties (with additional parking)
Our only thoughts are: Bring it!
We know that Philadelphia is long overdue in developing so many under-utilized parcels, buildings, and prime Real Estate for the growth and betterment of our city. When we see a developer with a successful track record turning a more or less blighted part of Philly into "The Piazza", we think more of the same should be encouraged.
And though there will always be naysayers and mudslingers, we know so many others will follow in Tower's footsteps spurring new jobs and opening doors to opportunities.
If you Build it, They Will Come: Meet the Builders Tour Recap
If you missed last week's Meet the Builders Tour, where we gave an inside look at 3 new construction properties with a developer on hand to answer questions, good news: We're doing it again! More details on that to come.
A hearty thank you to all of those who attended. It was nice to meet with all of you and discuss one of our favorite neighborhoods, Northern Liberties. How often do you get to see new construction in its final stages and hear about it straight from the source?
Our first tour kicked off at the Mews at Brown Street, where Corinthian Development welcomed us to view two of their soon-to-be-finished units. We were very excited to finally get inside, as we've been posting about all of the Mews' features and we had only been able to view the exterior and floor plans up until Thursday night. The interior is going to be amazing when completed. Corinthian had a special gift for us - t-shirts with Corinthian and the Somers Team on them. Thanks, guys!
Then we headed to Park View at Liberty Lands, giving our guests a short tour of Northern Liberties and a walk through the park. There were many units to check out at Park View and the roofdeck was an absolutely breathtaking stop - definitely the major draw of buying at Park View. There was also an inner courtyard and a huge garage.
Finally, we walked through Liberties Walk to George Street where Tina from Tower Investments unveiled the Liberties Walk Townhouses. Here, we were able to give our guests a glimpse at the latest rentals from the always-up-to-something Tower Investments.
It all ended at Apollinare with wine and appetizers where the discussion continued. Apollinare kept the food coming and our guests happy. It was a successful evening with a promising look at some new construction in Northern Liberties.
Now, the only question is: Which neighborhood are you interested in touring next?
Related:
Meet the Builders Walking Tour: 3 Developers. 3 Different Visions.
A Sneak Peek at Liberties Walk Townhouses from Tower Investments
A Sneak Peek at Liberties Walk Townhouses from Tower Investments
We were able to get inside of one of Tower Investments' newest rentals, the Liberties Walk Townhouses, during last night's Meet the Builders Tour (which we will provide a full recap of on Monday).
Tina Roberts from Tower was a great tour guide and we thank her for participating and giving our guests some details about the new project.
Set directly behind Liberties Walk on George Street (with the smells of El Camino Real wafting onto the street, yum), the Townhouses are just across the street from the Piazza and right down the block from the new location of One Shot Coffee on George (set to open later this fall). That means you will have some of the greatest scents of the neighborhood perfuming your little section of Northern Liberties heaven.
We especially loved the view of Center City from the deck and the sexy bathroom tile. Well-thought-out bathroom tile gets us every time...
This location is simply fantastic for anyone who wants to have the full Northern Liberties experience with a rental that is bigger in size with a townhouse layout.
This Thursday! Meet the Builders Walking Tour: 3 Developers. 3 Different Visions.
Meet the Builders Walking Tour
August 19th 5:30-8:30 pm
Come join us on a Fun Walking Tour of 3 Northern Liberties New Construction Projects where you can actually meet the builder !
Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to be part of a private walking tour of 3 different real estate developments in the Northern Liberties Neighborhood. Meet the builder face to face, ask questions, get insider tips and rub elbows with the pros. Then celebrate your new-found insight with a complimentary cocktail and delicious appetizers at Apollinare.
Who should attend?
- Rehabbers and Investors looking for tips
- Those who want to get to know the area
- Buyers looking for more information
- Curious consumers that want to be in the know
To RSVP to this fun event, text your email to (215) 650-3454.
Your information will remain private and we do not spam.
Featuring 3 Developers with 3 different visions !
Mews at Brown Street- 115 Brown St
Developer: Corinthian Development, LLC
The Mews at Brown Street is a boutique-style development built on a unique parcel of land. The final product is 4 townhouse condos with up to 2,100 sq feet of living space and 3 floors, off street parking, a private roof deck and balconies with Southern views and water views. Having recently negotiated through zoning and city red tape, Corinthian Development can add this new construction project to their years of experience restoring historic properties and architectural relics. Tap into their niche of the industry and discover how their love of architecture translates in their work as a developer. View project details here.
Parkview Condos at Liberty Lands - 926 N. 3rd St
Developer: Dg Development LLC, an affiliate of Miles and Generalis
Parkview Condos are appropriately named because they overlook the plush grounds and community garden called Liberty Lands Park. View project details here.
19 New Construction Rental Units at 2nd and George Streets
Developer: Bart Blatstein
Tower Investment Group will be discussing today's Rental Model. The featured project will be 19 New Construction residential single family rental properties that circle the Piazza and Liberties Walk. We will tour the interior of an unoccupied model. Take this opportunity to tap into the insights of Philadelphia's most prolific developers. View project details here.
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