Bart Blatstein Plans Mixed-Use Complex in South Philly
The vacant lot at Broad and Washington that Blatstein wants to develop. Photo via Google Street View.
With casino fever taking over yesterday, it was easy to overlook another project Bart Blatstein, one of the applicants who lost out on Philadelphia’s second gaming license, has in mind for the city.
If you will recall, rumors of a Wegmans coming to South Philadelphia sprung up earlier this year after he expressed interest in developing a vacant lot at the corner of Broad and Washington. Those rumors were squashed pretty quickly and, a few months later, Blatstein presented a clearer picture of what he wanted to do: a verticle Piazza-like community with “every amenity known to mankind.”
Yesterday, that idea was scratched.
James Jennings reports Blatstein presented preliminary plans for the lot, renderings and all, during a neighborhood meeting on Monday. Changes to the mixed-use project include making the retail component 210,00 square feet from the original 450,000 square feet. This part would encompass a bike shop, restaurants, a grocery store, and other retailers. Here are the details on the housing bit:
The residential component is in flux. Blatstein mentioned that they plan to construct two residential towers in two separate phases that would soar 20- to 28-stories above the 4-story retail. That puts the building around 33-stories off the ground. According to Blatstein, the market will determine how many units are in each tower — it could be anywhere between 500 to 800 units in each one.
Jennings writes that studios, 1-bedrooms and 2-bedroom units are planned and monthly rents are expected to be in the “mid to high teens.” Additionally, there would not be any affordable housing units since the project would not be receiving any public funding.
• Blatstein unveils preliminary plans for Broad and Washington project [Passyunk Post]
In other news…
• For gaming board, casino amid sports venues made sense [Inquirer]
• NextFab to open new makerspace at Kensington’s Impact Hub [Technical.ly Philly]
• No joy in South Philly about new casino neighbor [NewsWorks]
• SEPTA eyes an abandoned tunnel for use [Temple News]
• Newtown Library Company receives windfall from Promenade developer [Bucks Local]
