While it’s not The Stitch, some key safety improvements are taking place along Vine St. in Chinatown starting 10/20. I don’t love the positioning of the bike lanes, but this will still be a big, big improvement to the current situation here.

Recent progress at 2000-20 E. Hagert St. in East Kensington. Plans call for 108 units and artist studios for the former auto repair shop. This is in a pocket of the neighborhood that has seen hundreds of new construction units join the fold (Img 3). Design is from T + Associates.

A former factory at 3700-40 Kensington Ave. near the Harrowgate/Juniata border has new plans. Naked Philly first reported a conversion to 64 apartments, but new permits show a reduction to 43 units, with ground-floor office space & parking for 66 vehicles/20 bicycles. Thoughts?

In a move we cannot remember seeing ever, the planned mechanical garage at Annex 1201 at 12th & Vine will be changed to storage space. Plans originally called for 36 below-grade spaces for this addition the Jarvis Building. This is just two blocks from the Race-Vine BSL station.

BREAKING: a 36-floor, 620-unit tower is proposed at 1321 S. Columbus Blvd. in Pennsport. There had been big plans here in the past, but this new proposal (which already has permits), would change the area completely - and add better trail connections. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/breaking-3...

go birds

A cool opportunity in a couple weeks to tour what will be one of the region’s premier job/logistics centers at the massive Bellwether District. This (along with all the Phila Port stuff) is going to completely redefine the future of South/SW Philly.

The Chinatown Night Market is happening a week from today on Thursday, 10/9 from 6-10 pm. Food, music, events, and more right in the heart of the neighborhood. Go check it out and watch the Phillies game close by that night (Phils in 4). Get out and explore 😎

One of the last undeveloped sites near the NoLibs-Olde Kensington-Fishtown construction epicenter is for sale. The one-story Benjamin Moore store at 210 W. Girard has been there for years but the 15K+ sqft property could be enticing for developers. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/developmen...

Woodland Presbyterian Church at 42nd & Pine in Spruce Hill received zoning permits yesterday to be converted into 27 dwelling units. No details as of yet, but we are glad to see this spot repurposed. This is a contributing building within the newish Southeast Spruce Hill historic district.

New renderings with materials were just released for the 35-unit, mixed-use proposal at 2nd & Quarry in Old City. Mostly red brick, save for some tan on the recessed upper setback along Quarry around the historical structures. Design is from Gnome. Thoughts on the look?

We check out a hundred-year-old stunner in Torresdale in far NE Philly. This home is oozing with charm and historic details, though it's not historically-designated - much like many, MANY other properties outside of Greater Center City. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/a-torresda...

A new dessert shop is coming to the ground floor of 222 N. 11th St. in Chinatown. Two blocks away at 931 Arch St., vacant office space will get new life as event space. ALWAYS stuff happening in Chinatown, so go explore if you haven't recently. Now we just need the Troc back...

Is a newly approved 20-unit project near the Bellwether District a sign of things to come? New apartments could be the first of many proposals we see near this emerging logistics powerhouse. What would you want to see happen in the area? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/20-apartme...

Are we aware of the progress happening on the pedestrian/bike improvements on Market Street in Old City? Lots of construction now but it shall be awesome having traffic calming and more space for folks on foot. This is looking toward 2nd & Market 🚲🚶🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚲

The $75-million Student Performing Arts Center is now above ground at 33rd & Woodlands Walk on UPenn's campus (photo is from a few months back). This will feature a 300-seat theater, rehearsal space, and more, bringing many performance arts groups under one roof. Thoughts?

We switch things up and head back to Philadelphia, 1981. The city has changed dramatically since then, but thankfully we have these snapshots to remind ourselves of the Philly of yore. Way more photos from the 44 years ago at the link below. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/philadelph...

After an old design was approved in 2020 (Img 4), a 285-unit proposal & land is for sale on N. American St. near Norris Square. The new plans have been simplified, with over 40K sqft of commercial space for the ground floor. Thoughts on the new look? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/block-of-n...

Humbled and honored by the extremely official branding for next year's 250th Anniversary celebration

The Philadelphia Zoo hopes to add a Ferris wheel in advance of next summer's 250th anniversary celebrations happening across the city. This would rise 110' and offer views we haven't seen since the Zoo Balloon was shut down in 2014. Who's going for a ride? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/philadelph...

A new Phlush, a half-million bucks for new sculptures, a canal flowing for the first time in 85 years, a bridge to be closed to the flow of traffic/people for three years, and more - now you have Sunday plans with the Birds already victorious. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/weekend-fi...

Does a subdivision next to Pizzeria Beddia mean the return of multi-family plans (Img 4)? We head to Fishtown to check out the former home to Bikes-N-Beans and explore what might possibly be ahead. What would you want to see here? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/subdivisio...

Always blows my mind that there are roads that look like this within Philadelphia city limits.

Let’s head to the border of deep South Philly & Delco to visit the only hotel nearby that looks like it has a moat. This 12-story PoMo gem is hidden away amongst the swamps near the airport, providing one of the more bizarre views we can remember. Who has been here/stayed here?

Lovely little sunset in the world’s greatest city

Five towers in Center City have seen some major recent changes. From sales to foreclosure to new concepts, Market West is evolving rapidly from a central business district to a mixed-use, residential center. What do you think of the changes? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/weekend-fi...

BREAKING: a 193-unit proposal for the last piece of Waterfront Square received zoning permits yesterday. This joins a nearly complete 195-unit project next door as this area continues its transformation. Thoughts on the look from HDO? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/breaking-p...

After no news since Jan 2022, a 60-unit proposal with a fresh look is for sale in East Kensington. Plans call for more height thanks to mixed income/fresh grocer bonuses, with a new design from Ambit. Front St. shows no sign of slowing anytime soon. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/60-unit-pr...

The Rail Park's steel swings under construction back in December 2017, as seen from near 12th & Callowhill. It doesn't feel like it's been that long since it started - let's hope we can say the same thing for Phase 2 of the Viaduct Greenway, which would extend northeast.

The recent sale of Giordano's at 9th & Washington in the Italian Market typifies the changing neighborhood. After sales and conceptual shifts, we hope the future here looks basically the same as it does today. What are your thoughts? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/9th-and-wa...

The recent sale of Giordano's at 9th & Washington in the Italian Market typifies the changing neighborhood. After sales and conceptual shifts, we hope the future here looks basically the same as it does today. What are your thoughts? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/9th-and-wa...

A pair of buildings with new storefronts are for sale near 2nd & Market in Old City. These buildings have been empty for decades and could be joined soon by the Tun Tavern - which received building permits earlier this month. What do you want to see here? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/property-p...

Some more renderings for Stateside Live! down at the Sports Complex thanks to an upcoming trip to the Sign Committee. Look for this to be the name and design for the next 15 years; I might drink 15 Surfside half-and-half's to mark the occasion.

Old City streets… Imagine this with the cars gone and pocket parks instead 🤔

311 residential units and a nearly 500-car garage head to Civic Design Review in September, and we dive into it all for this Friday Five. This is the largest CDR agenda of the year - is it a sign of things to come? The scoop: jackphillyre.substack.com/p/friday-fiv...

A mystery rendering may mean more apartments at 11th & Berks. This property near Temple U sits next to the reimagined Norris Apartments as the area continues to see redevelopment of all kinds. Def. a neighborhood to keep an eye on. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/whats-up-a...

Phase 1 of a $100 million revamp of the Ave. of the Arts...is a median on the 300 block of South Broad St. Plans call for some landscaping in the first phase of this pilot, which will eventually add landscaping, seating, art, and lighting. Thoughts? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/pilot-begi...

Demo permits were issued on Thursday for 309-21 West Mount Pleasant Ave. in West Mt. Airy. Plans call for 66 units over retail to take the place of the several various buildings currently on site. This has zero parking, so let's hope that Harrisburg decides to FUND SEPTA soon.

Today's Friday Five covers a new mural, two parks, a new bike lane, and a potential new law. This is all a minor distraction from the failures of our public servants to realize they are governing FOR the people, to quote some dude named Abe. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/friday-fiv...

For folks in Philly who want to let Senator Picozzi know their thoughts on SEPTA funding he'll be answering questions at a government open house from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM today in NE Philly. It starts in about an hour: northeasttimes.com/2025/08/12/n...

Two Rittenhouse condos - same size, a few blocks apart, but with very different prices. Would you be willing to pay twice as much to live on the Square? We dive into a comparison of one-bedroom spots - and ask you what sort of trade-off YOU'D make. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/rittenhous...

A Rocky statue may be heading to Philadelphia International Airport's Terminal A West. After being made aware of the existence of a third original statue, PHL's art program has been working with the artist's family for a while. The Art Commission weighed in on this yesterday.

UPDATE: An updated concept called Second Hand Ranch is proposed for the old bank at Frankford & Girard. This went to the Fishtown Neighbors Association last night for a vote prior to a trip to the ZBA on 9/17. The new plans call for booze, tacos, vintage clothes and the addition of live music.

The adorable Evening Light Apostolic Church at 2255 Germantown Ave. in North Philly received zoning permits for demo yesterday. There are potential plans for three units over commercial space, which we covered back in February. It's never fun seeing buildings like this disappear.

A 297-unit proposal may come soon to Roxborough. A zoning permit for subdivision at 4889 Umbria St. across from Ivy Ridge Station was issued, showing a nearly 300-unit project with parking for 380 cars/99 bicycles. Roxborough is changing yet again. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/297-units-...

We have new renderings for an 84-unit, mixed-use proposal at the former McDonald's at S. Broad & Carpenter. Residences over what looks like a restaurant and parking for 20 cars/28 bikes will head to SOSNA before going to CDR. Thoughts on the plans? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/breaking-n...

Willow Steam Plant gets some paneling for its ongoing residential conversion. There have been plans here for years, so we are stoked to see the remediation of the asbestos complete. Hopefully a commercial component is part of the future plans.

🚨New format!🚨 We dive into five real estate happenings this Friday, giving you some bite-sized morsels of real estate news. We've got returning movie theaters, zoning votes, and Nerf battles coming to the Fashion District - and way more, too. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/friday-fiv...

A historical facade sticks around as a revised 35-unit Old City proposal returns to the Historical Commission. The protected building that had been eyed for demo is included in the design, which now steps down towards the remaining buildings. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/update-old...