Developer to Submit Demolition Application for Royal Theater This Spring

Following a December approval from the zoning board, Dranoff Properties can now take the next step in its plan to redevelop the historic Royal Theater on South Street into a new mixed-use space, which would retain the original structure’s facade.

According to the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Natalie Kostelni, the developer is expected to submit a demolition application to the Philadelphia Historical Commission this spring. The demo, which would be restricted to the rear portion of the property, will make way for new rental units and retail space that the South of South Neighborhood Association and other residents sees as a revitalizing new component to the area:

“This is huge,” said Laura Vidas, chairwoman of the South of South Neighborhood Association. “It’s really great to see the Royal get developed. Between Broad and the Royal, there has been tremendous growth in business and the Royal is a really large gap in that corridor. It’s a great project and we’re really excited. We think this is really going to be a crown jewel of South Street.”

Dranoff set to take next step in Royal Theater development [Philadelphia Business Journal]