The stingy renovation of the Inquirer building is a crime against both police and the public

April 5, 2022April 5, 2022 Bob Bruhin

The historic Inquirer and Daily News building at Broad and Callowhill Streets has been transformed into a combined headquarters for the police, medical examiner, Office of Emergency Services, and morgue. Although the 1925 building rises 18 stories, most of the new offices are concentrated in the lower seven floors, where the mighty presses once rolled.
TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer

But from what I saw during a 90-minute tour of The Inquirer’s old home (once my work home, too), it’s hard to imagine that the renovated building will provide a conducive environment for the much-needed changes. The $280 million construction project, which was managed by the Kenney Administration and executed by developer Bart Blatstein’s Tower Investments, has produced a dismal municipal bunker, walled off from the surrounding city and the people the police are meant to protect.

12-Story, 382-Unit + Retail Project to Replace Strip Mall at 5th & Spring Garden – Rising Real Estate

February 20, 2020February 20, 2020 Bob Bruhin

Back in the mid 60’s, a low-rise, suburban-style strip mall was created by the Redevelopment Authority through its East Poplar Urban Renewal Plan. The complex, which sits between 5th St., 6th St. and Spring Garden, was originally the home to the Fifth Street Wholesale Distribution Association. Over time, the structures morphed into a more traditional Read more about 12-Story, 382-Unit + Retail Project to Replace Strip Mall at 5th & Spring Garden…

Triple Bottom Brewery has planned carefully to bring inclusivity to the craft beer scene — Grid Magazine

January 28, 2020January 28, 2020 Bob Bruhin

By Claire Marie Porter

The hop flower in the center of Triple Bottom Brewery’s Philly skyline logo has three leaves—one for people, one for planet and one for beer. The image is an homage to the brewery’s take on the original triple bottom line (people, planet and profit) and symbolizes the company’s commitment to social good over dividends.

Toll Bros. Will Transform Broad & Noble Corner – OCF Realty

December 12, 2019December 12, 2019 Bob Bruhin

When we think of Toll Bros., we think of condos. Projects from this developer in Philadelphia have included Naval Square, Stamper Square, 2400 South, and a now under construction tower on Jewelers’ Row. But Toll Bros. is a huge company and also has a rental arm, and that business is finally dipping a toe in the Philadelphia market. This effort will take place at the corner of Broad & Noble, on a property that’s currently used as a surface parking lot.

‘It takes a city’: Dispatch from Triple Bottom Brewing’s first months – Technical.ly Philly

December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 Bob Bruhin

Triple Bottom Brewing’s staff in their then-new space at 915 Spring Garden St. in April 2018.

(Photo via twitter.com/TripleBottomCo)

“I’ve wrestled a lot with whether what we’re doing is enough,” writes Tess Hart, cofounder of the Callowhill-based social enterprise that employs fair chance hiring practices.

Seventeen Units Progressing on Noble Street With Not So Steamy Views – OCF Realty

December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 Bob Bruhin

We stumbled onto a row of new construction recently at the intersection of 9th & Noble and had a funny feeling we’d written about the project before. As is usually the case when we have these feelings, we have indeed covered this project before, back in 2016, when the property was an overgrown, fenced-in vacant lot. Back then, we told you that developers were planning six triplexes and a duplex for a total of 17 units, but the project was still awaiting ZBA approval so it wasn’t a guarantee that it would be happening. As you can see, they got their variance and construction has finally progressed over the course of this year.

North Broad plaza could get public bathroom – WHYY

December 6, 2019December 6, 2019 Bob Bruhin

A rendering of a complex planned for North Broad, near the Rail Park. Neighbors want the developer to put a public bathroom in the project’s public plaza. (Courtesy of Toll Brothers/Barton Partners Architects/PlanPhilly)

Callowhill neighbors want a developer to address a persistent neighborhood problem: no place to pee.

New Developer, Different Plan at Broad & Spring Garden – OCF Realty

December 2, 2019December 2, 2019 Bob Bruhin

Per a story from Inquirer.com, Parkway has decided to sell the property to Alterra Property Group, and Alterra is taking a very different approach to the site. Instead of two separate buildings, they will build a single structure that rises seven stories. The building will contain a sizable retail space on the first floor, for which Alterra is targeting a supermarket, and we imagine that people in the area would welcome such an amenity. In the six stories above the potential market, we’d expect 498 apartments, though the Inquirer story indicated that some of those units might get switched out in favor of office space. If you have concerns about parking, rest assured, two levels of underground parking garage with 283 spots should satisfy any parking needs associated with the building. Here are some renderings from JKRP Architects, thanks to the Civic Design Review packet for the project.

Source: New Developer, Different Plan at Broad & Spring Garden – OCF Realty