An artist’s rendering of the planned six-story office building with a ground-floor McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut.

A six-story mixed-use building is planned for the northeast corner of 40th and Walnut Streets, where a neighborhood fixture, McDonald’s, is currently located, according to an announcement by Penn’s Office of Facilities and Real Estate Services. The new, 50,000-square-foot facility will include a fully-modernized McDonald’s on the first floor of the building. Continue Reading

The following is a guest submission from Alice Wells, a member of Friends of Clark Park, about the master plan for Clark Park.

The park we know today is the result of a series of master plans executed by the Friends of Clark Park over the past 45 years. When I first moved across from the park, in 1979, plans focused on tree and grass planting, trash pickup, lighting, a never-agreed-upon enclosed dog park, and working with the City to spread permits for large and loud events to alternating sides of the park, to preserve grass and the good will of neighbors.

Then 25 years ago, beginning with numerous community meetings, and with organizing and fundraising support from University City District and surrounding schools, a Master Plan for ambitious physical changes to the park was developed. There would be brand new play areas in B Park and resurfacing of the basketball court. Park A’s then cracked and mud-covered, sinking walkways would be rerouted, also diseased trees would be removed and a gravel circle with tables and chairs created in Park A (along Baltimore Ave), which was closed for the year it took to complete the renovations. As a neighbor, I was skeptical: who needs a gravel circle? The huge increase in park usage was testament to its success! Continue Reading

The Friends of Clark Park continues working on the new master plan for the park, which includes gathering input from the community. All interested community members and groups have another chance to learn more about the plan and discuss in person their vision for the park, which stretches from Baltimore Ave. to Woodland Ave. from 43rd to 45th St. FCP will hold an Open House session on Thursday, Dec. 14 in Rosenberger Hall which is the Saint Joseph’s University (formerly USciences) building at the south end of Clark Park.

The event will provide an opportunity for an open discussion and interested community members can stop by the open house at any time between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m.

The first Clark Park Master Plan Open House took place at the Farmers’ Market on Nov. 19., and the results will inform this open house.

The goal of the master plan is to set the vision for future park development and investment plans. It is expected to be completed early next year.

Proposed building rendering at 42nd and Market (JKRP Architects).

A six-story, 352-unit apartment building proposed for 42nd and Market cleared the last phase of community review on Tuesday. When completed the nearly block-long building will cap off one of the densest blocks in the area.

Developers presented plans to the city’s Civic Design Review Committee, an advisory group for large projects that makes non-binding recommendations on everything from building materials to landscaping. Construction could begin this fall.

The Alterra Group presented the project to the West Powelton/Saunders Park RCO in June. The project is being built “by right.” The building will occupy most of the south side of the 4200 block of Market Street and include just over 22,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. Continue Reading

The developers of 4601 Market St., which includes the stately, gold-cupolaed Provident building, are reportedly moving ahead with plans to build six apartment buildings, including an 18-story tower, on the site.

Executives with Iron Stone Real Estate Partners, which purchased the property in 2019, told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jake Blumgart that the firm is moving ahead with plans to add 1,240 apartments on the site, which stretches west along Market Street from 46th to 48th Streets and north along 46th Street to Haverford Avenue.

The property is zoned CMX-3, a mixed-use designation that means the residential buildings will likely be constructed “by right” with little required community input on things like the inclusion of affordable housing. Continue Reading

Construction of an addition to the Garden Court Plaza, located at 4701 Pine St., has begun. The work is currently taking place at the back of the building on 47th Street between Pine and Spruce, which will be the primary access to the construction site, according to the Garden Court Community Association. The sidewalk on the west side of the whole block is closed due to the construction.

As a reminder, the plan includes the construction of a six-story, 220-unit addition above the Plaza’s parking garage (see rendering below). Continue Reading