Permits have been issued for the construction of the 14-story Blue Ivy Hotel at 122 South 11th Street in Market East, Center City. Designed by DAS Architects and developed by the Estia Group, the hotel will offer 86 hotel rooms on the third through fourteenth floors. Restaurant space will be situated on the first and second floors. The tower will total 51,181 square feet of space. Permits list construction costs at $21.1 million.
The building will feature an attractive, modern exterior comprised of tan brick and black cladding. Grid-shaped windows are arranged in an orderly pattern throughout the tower’s exterior, while glass Juliet balconies spaces provide whimsy and texture to the design. Because of its slender design, the building offers the appearance and profile of a much taller structure.
The project’s street presence is to be commended, with large floor-to-ceiling glass windows meeting the sidewalk. Renderings also show greenery planted above the ground floor windows, adding a subtle but beneficial touch that will hopefully be included with the building’s finished construction.
Current view of 122 South 11th Street. Credit: Google.
The tower will replace a pair of rowhomes. These structures had undergone renovations over the years, which changed their shapes and usage. Despite their prominent and valuable location, both buildings had previously fallen into a state of disrepair.
Rendering of potential interior hotel room. Credit: DAS Architects.
The new building will present a great improvement for the site, replacing two decrepit low-rises buildings with a modern 14-story hotel. The inclusion of a restaurant space on the bottom two floors will help enliven the surrounding area and improve the sidewalk experience, while the added density of hotel rooms above will generate a steady flow of new customers to the area’s business and restaurant stock.
The tower stands on the same block as 12 + Sansom, where demolition work is underway to make way for a new 400+ unit high-rise. With both of these towers potentially set to go up at the same time, this Center City block is in for a huge transformation. In addition, YIMBY recently reported on the proposal at 11th and Walnut. Combined with the multiple projects in and around Thomas Jefferson, the level of activity in the neighborhood is incredible.
Rendering of planned restaurant space. Credit: DAS Architects.
Philly YIMBY will track the progress made on the development in the future.
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Will this be seen on the skyline? Or at least the crane?
Considering it’s location, it should be visible from a distance at 200 feet tall. 😉
This is very exciting news. Its an attractive building at the proper scale for its location in one of our great walkable Center City neighborhoods. Combined with the other projects on 11th Street, 12th Street, and at Jefferson – this place will be popping.
Over on Market Street – the remake of the Gallery is a full blown fail and is holding everything back. I’ll say it again: the Sixers should put their new downtown arena somewhere in that space. Take a portion of the PREIT property, knock it down and start from scratch. Retail/restaurants/entertainment on the ground floor; arena above. It would sit on top of the MFL line and regional rail. It is within a couple blocks of the BSL, trolley service, and PATCO. It is the most central location possible for a downtown arena, and there is currently a teardown sitting there waiting to happen.
What specifically failed with the Gallery (A.K.A Fashion District)?
Aside from the global pandemic, this is the perfect location for a shopping destination.
I recall when the Gallery extension was built with subway access to the 11th Street Station of the Market-Frankford Line.
I understand your desire to mimic Madison Square Garden in NYC, but we don’t need to copy them.
I appreciate your enthusiasm 700 Level. 😉
Could not agree more. It is hands down the best location in the region to access via regional rail or rapid transit and it is also a great extension of the convention center nearby which makes it way easier to rent out when not hosting games. It would be a huge missed opportunity if they decide to build elsewhere.
Bringing up this thread to highlight some very prophetic comments made.