South to north: 2260, 2411, 2419, 2509 North 7th Street. Credit: Google Maps

Grandeur and Desolation: Four Minor Buildings in North Philadelphia East are Gradually Turning the Tide in a Long-Neglected Neighborhood

During the postwar period, Philadelphia has undergone a period of depopulation and saw numerous demolitions. Neighborhoods were affected to widely varying degrees, with some remaining largely intact and others losing blocks upon blocks of their housing stock. Thankfully, the trend has reversed back to growth during the past couple of decades. Today we look at how four relatively minor buildings approved at North 7th Street in North Philadelphia East will help turn the tide in a long-neglected neighborhood.

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Rendering of Sora West. Credit: Keystone Property Group.

Construction Progresses at West & Main, a SORA West Hotel in Conshohocken, PA

Framework is rising rapidly on West & Main, the hotel portion of the larger SORA West development in downtown Conshohocken, PA. Developed by Keystone Property Group, the hotel was initially planned to house 165 rooms, but has since been downsized to 127 rooms, which will still provide a meaningful boost for the town. The hotel is part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection and will hold 3,422 square feet of conference space, a 1,080-square-foot lobby, and a 1,363-square-foot dining facility that will be situated at the second floor of the neighboring historic firehouse.

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LOVE Park Welcome Center. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Renovation Underway at LOVE Park Welcome Center in Center City

Renovation work is in progress at the LOVE Park Welcome Center in LOVE Park in Center City. The two-story building stands across the street to the east of Suburban Station. The renovated structure will house a restaurant, with new lighting, exterior glass, interior and roof finishes, security, and mechanical systems. The restaurant will fit 50 to 55 patrons inside, while the balcony and terrace will seat 135 people. The architect of the project is Kieran Timberlake, who had also submitted a proposal for Penn’s Landing a number of years ago.

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The Laurel Rittenhouse from Washington Square West. Photo by Thomas Koloski

YIMBY Tours the 41st Floor at The Laurel Rittenhouse at 1911 Walnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City

Recently, Philadelphia YIMBY went on a tour of one of the highest condominium floors at The Laurel Rittenhouse, a 48-story residential tower under construction at 1911 Walnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City. Designed by Solomon Cornwell Buenz and developed by Southern Land Company, the skyscraper is nearing its final height of 599 feet, and work is expected to begin soon on the cross-braced crown. The tower will house 185 rental units in the lower portion and 64 condos in the upper section.

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