What, you thought I wouldn't do some pandering on Rocky Day? A development site is for sale on Kensington Ave. just a block away from Rocky Balboa's old home. This surface lot could see construction continue north across the busy Lehigh Ave. corridor. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/a-kensingt...

Thousands of new units, a new trail and new landscaping have all arrived at the Delaware River Waterfront over the last several years. This part of Northern Liberties has changed so much - and could see even more in the years ahead. Thoughts on the changes?

UPDATE: over $50 million of construction funding was just procured for this project, per GREA. This will be two phases: 100 units in the adaptive reuse portion and 77 units in the new construction portion. Glad to see this one making progress again.

hell yeah 🤘

MOTW Coffee & Pastries is coming to the base of the Murano at 2101 Market St. in Center City. Taking the place of a credit union, this coffee spot focuses on Muslim stories and hopes to be "a warm, welcoming space for all." Stoked to check this out.

One of the ugliest and most offensive proposals we've ever seen was mercifully pulled from last week's Architectural Committee agenda. There's a good project to be found here, but not without a complete 180 from the latest plans. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/avoiding-a...

Old City Kava Co. is on the verge of bringing their kava/kratom concoctions to the Amble in Old City. A new zoning permit means this long-rumored spot is one step closer, with a wide-ranging menu now on their website giving a hint at what's in store. Opening date is Dec '25.

A new fitness studio is coming to La Marceline, a recently completed mixed-use building at 2456 Frankford Ave. designed by Bright Common. We aren't sure exactly what the concept will be, but this adds even more to the growing - and changing - Frankford Ave. commercial corridor in East Kensington.

Is this the future at Harper Square, the planned tower at 19th & Sansom? After getting word from a follower, we saw this new rendering for the proposal from Pearl Properties on the Philadelphia C-PACE website, where $60 million of funding was announced thanks to energy savings.

Very excited for this hat

Out of all of the many cities, it’s nice to live in The One.

Commercial building permits have been issued for a catering/event space at 1801 E. Huntingdon St. at this handsome former bank right next to the MFL.

Sorry for being MIA the last week or so: had to get my heart cut open, etc (don’t worry, I’m good). Tell your family and friends that you love them and eat a bunch of turkey for me today 🍗

South Philly folks: Marra’s is closing Wednesday. Get your meals and nostalgia in quick!

After we first reported last month, Wharton Piers in Pennsport heads to CDR. 620 units across 36 floors over retail are proposed, with two more towers planned for future phases. This would add up to *2,000 units* and some gorgeous new trails. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/update-wha...

An addition, 33 units are coming to a former police station in Fairhill. This Mid-Century Modern structure could see new life, with commercial and apartments getting zoning permits yesterday. We're thrilled to see this non-protected structure get new life. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/addition-a...

The Francisville Triangle has undergone a huge transformation over the last 16 years. Townhouses and new construction apartments have dramatically changed the area near Wylie & Cameron St., with an even larger five-story, 115-unit building planned for the corner.

What if we kissed...at the bistro in the base of the new Fishtown parking garage that overlooks a gravel lot? The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.

Today and tomorrow at the corner of 20th & Fairmount, recently home to Rite Aid and parking. As Rising Real Estate reported, plans for three stories, 28 units and five commercial spaces are heading to the Historical Commission for review. Love seeing this corner shift to mixed-use 👍

BREAKING: REC Philly's studios & HQ at the Fashion District will close on Dec. 20th. The creative agency has studios, co-working, and more at this 10K sqft space that's been open since 2019. This is a big blow to the vibrancy of the Fashion District. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/breaking-r...

Huge news for the Rittenhouse Square area - this will make quite a mark on the skyline.

The Silver Buckle is now open at the former JJ Bootleggers spot at 35 S. 2nd St. in Old City. This “Nashville inspired party bar” looks to pick up where JJB left off, so expect to see this packed for tonight’s Birds game 🦅 Glad to see the space reactivated on this stretch.

No action, sales, or permits recently for 700 Chestnut St., which had plans for an overbuild nearly three years ago. This would also involve the demo of Las Vegas Lounge next door. It would be awesome to see these buildings reactivated, overbuild or not. Design from Studio HS4.

Some major changes near 26th & Poplar over the years. The Brewerytown neighborhood has seen a wild amount of development as this little stretch shows.

An information session for the Spring Garden Connector is taking place Wed. Nov. 19th at the School District offices on N. Broad St. Engineering plans will be presented with opportunity for feedback. This is in advance of construction, which should be completed by 2029, per @whyynews.bsky.social.

401 Market St. on Independence Mall has an uncertain future - which is perfect for speculating about what that might entail. After some key vacancies and a recently paid-off loan, what lies ahead for this office tower? More soothsaying below/in the bio 🔮 jackphillyre.substack.com/p/speculatio...

Big news for the Philly arts scene: Ministry of Awe will have its grand opening on Saturday, March 14th at 27 N. 3rd St. in Old City. The former bank is getting six floors of fun, all organized by muralist Meg Saligman. Love seeing the arts returning to Old City.

1713 N. Front St. is underway per Full Court Construction. 55 units over 2,700 sqft of commercial space is coming, with a slightly updated design from Canno. This is right across from the new Urby, which has Percy diner and Mecha Noodle Bar on the ground floor.

Rendering vs. reality at The Riley, 80 units over commercial space at 6808 Ridge Ave. in Roxborough. This one finished up within the last year or so, with a design from Ingram/Sageser. Let’s get some landscaping going here, please?

The New Market Headhouse & Shambles will see a new ADA-accessible bathroom, restored brick/masonry, and a new brick walkway. This went to the Art Commission today for review and has already received funding, so we could see changes here soon. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/new-market...

My story on this same project from last week. Curious! jackphillyre.substack.com/p/addition-4...

The final design of the Chinatown Stitch highway capping project will be revealed at a session tomorrow, Wed 11/12 from 5-8pm. This first phase will add some much-needed green space to the neighborhood, so we're excited to see the plans. Let's hope the funding here comes through.

24 units & two retail spaces received zoning approval at 2620 Frankford Ave. in East Kensington. The six-story brick design joins many other recent projects, with the biggest of them all planned for the huge Woods Bros lot across the street (Img 4). jackphillyre.substack.com/p/24-units-t...

This has been listed for a minute, but it's still one of the coolest places I can remember seeing: 4900 Longshore Ave. in Tacony. Built in 1893 as a bank, it's most recently been home to Keystone Soundworks, but this 3-bed/3-bath, 9,300 sqft spot could be your home for $1.07M.

Ten units are coming to the Swartz Building at 1108 Chestnut St. in Market East. This site had a long commercial history (including being the original home to Stetson) before permits were issued for a residential update. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/weekend-qu...

Did you know that classic cowboy brand Stetson was started in Philly? The company was making up to 3 million hats per year at their massive manufacturing complex near 4th & Montgomery Ave. Sadly, the incredible buildings are long gone, though vestiges of the layout still remain.

Regarding Mayor Parker's newly announced Market East Advisory Group: ***THE OWNER OF THE DISNEY HOLE IS IN THE MARKET EAST ADVISORY GROUP***

Two Tun Tavern proposals are in the works just around the corner from each other in Old City. They're both hosting soft-launch events on Monday, Nov. 10th at the same time, so we explore the history, architecture, and drama of these competing projects. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/two-tuns-o...

13 units over commercial are planned for East Kensington's coolest block. This four-story building at 2117 E. York St. may join a flush of awesome businesses nearby. This comes to us from a pair of familiar names, with a look from Canno Design. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/13-more-un...

Some recent thoughts on what the future of Market East should look like. To the city: my consulting fees would be wildly competitive if you're looking to bring on someone who actually uses/cares about the area in question 😇

UPDATE: Architect JKRP just announced this mixed-use project along South Broad St. will get started soon, with plans for this to be completed in 2027. This area has changed so much recently, and it looks like more is on the way. Check the blog for the recent story, etc., etc.

The former home of non-profit Intercultural Family Services is newly re-listed in Spruce Hill. But don't worry: the org. has a brand-new office directly across the street in a new construction building that joins hundreds of new units along the block. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/developmen...

Macerich's CEO finally spoke about the Fashion District on their Q3 earnings call last night. He said their hands had been tied for years by the 76ers arena, but he's cautiously optimistic about the mall's future, especially as Mayor Parker focuses on Market East www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...

Landscaping is going in at a revamped Thomas Paine Plaza in Center City. Plans call for greater accessibility and the return of multi-purpose hardscaping so that this can remain a skateboarding spot moving forward. Photo courtesy of an intrepid friend of the bolg [sic].

The long-time home of Philadelphia Macaroni Co. has plans for an addition, 47 residential units at 11th & Catharine. Permits were issued after a trip to the Hist. Comm. to add this to the *national* register. Yet another sign of change in the area. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/addition-4...

Moody views from a rainy night on South Broad St.

A six-story, 22-unit building received permits near 50th & Market in West Philly. This project can proceed by right thanks to a recent zoning change, allowing more density near transit. Oh, and this has zero car parking. Design is from DesignBlendz. jackphillyre.substack.com/p/22-units-p...

Old City update: The empty lot at 239 Chestnut St. is still for sale (now for $1.3M) and permits indicate the site will be totally cleared and backfilled - what the hell is going on with this prime development spot? More background in the quoted article.

their plainly stated goal is to starve forty million people until they get what they want, which is to rip health care away from millions more that this is too monstrous for most news organizations to tell the truth about does not change the facts

1734-36 E. Passyunk Ave., home to Marra's, is currently under contract (listed for $2M). This classic Italian restaurant has been around since 1927, so we hope the buyer keeps the old school charm; it would be a shame to see this go.