Renderings of Hub II by Platt Associate Architecure

After five years of sitting on the shelf, Philadelphia-based developers Teres Holdings, LLC have resurrected plans to construct Hub II, the Hub’s sister building at 3939-41 Chestnut Street. The long-awaited project, originally approved in 2008 under the old zoning code, will cost $11.5 million to construct, and will see the demolition of Thai Singha House’s old home at 3939 Chestnut Street.

According to the blog Philadelphia Real Estate, Teres Holdings was granted zoning “relief” to proceed with Hub II by the Zoning Board of Adjustment on July 31. Since construction of the project is happening under Philadelphia’s new zoning code, which passed last year, landowners University of Pennsylvania, the developers, and Hub II architects, Platt Associates Architecture, have altered the plans, removing one floor and 14,600 square-feet from original building design. Hub II is now 40,100 square feet with seven floors—the first two floors are held for commercial use, including cafes, salons, health clubs, and office space, with the remaining stories housing 65 residential units, reported the blog. Projected date of completion is unknown.

Platt Associates, the New England-based company behind the original Hub’s design, claim on its website that the new Hub II will help “define a new urban node at the corner of 40th and Chestnut Streets”, with the adorning space between the hubs suggesting “an intimate, winding medieval passage with angling walls and a variety of materials punctuated by narrow tower forms.”

The current plans are relatively similar to original blueprints Spruce Hill Community Association approved back in 2008 (but are an improvement to the overall design), so the community organization decided not to impede on the project’s new zoning process, said SHCA Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach. SHCA did, however, raise issue with the materials to be used for the building’s facade, and since the group and the developers could not come to an agreement before the ZBA hearing occurred, SHCA issued a letter of understanding stating that, if zoning is approved, Teres Holdings and Platt must meet with SHCA in a period of 60 days. That meeting takes place on Monday, Sept. 23, Grossbach told West Philly Local.

As for Thai Singha House, Hub II’s plans called for the restaurant’s relocation and the demolition of its former home from the beginning, Grossbach said. In July, we reported that Thai Singha House is relocating to 3900 Chestnut Street and plans to reopen in September—its website, however, now states that it’ll open at the new location “sometime in late October.” There are also talks of erecting a third “hub”, said Grossbach, to complete a three-building center at 40th and Chestnut Streets, but nothing has been brought to the drawing board for that project yet.

Teres Holdings could not be reached for comment.

–Annamarya Scaccia

In July, we reported that the former MexiCali space was rumored to become a Korean restaurant. Turns out that rumor was true—U-Town, a Korean food and sushi joint, opened its doors last week at 110 S. 40^th Street.

When West Philly Local visited U-Town yesterday, the bustling new restaurant was nearly packed and the air was filled with eager chatter. Considering the decor, U-Town is far removed from the former Mexican joint. The walls are painted in a relaxing sea foam green bordered by a soft mustard yellow color, and the tables are made of a dark red wood. The bar/register area, stationed at the back of the small space, is made of stark, smooth white material, breaking up the pastel palette.

Scanning the takeout menu, U-Town’s cuisine promises to be an exciting blend of different styles. There are Korean staples like soon doo boo (a hot and spicy stew offered with beef, tofu, seafood or mushroom), dup bap (a steamed rice dish offered with seafood, shrimp or squid), bibim bap (a warm mixed rice dish topped with hot pepper paste and served with vegetables, seafood, poor, chicken or beef), and deok boki (a spicy stewed rice cake combination). U-Town also offers a variety of dumpling and tempura dishes and taco, fish and chicken combinations, and Asian style tacos in chicken, bulgogi and kimchi forms.

U-Town’s owner, who goes by the name of Ocean, was curt when asked for more information on his restaurant. According to the owner, it was a busy time of day (around 6 p.m.) for him and he didn’t have time to talk. He only offered that U-Town opened last week and seemed bothered when asked further questions, abruptly turning away without conclusion after receiving our business card.

What we do know, however, is that U-Town does not have a credit card processing machine, but it is working on installing one according to a note on the wall when you first walk in. As for hours, the restaurant is opened Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

–Annamarya Scaccia

The second in a series of forums to discuss development along 40th Street is tonight at 7 p.m. at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.).

Conversations at the forums will help determine development along 40th Street, particularly the character of transportation along the 40th Street corridor (from Baltimore Avenue to Lancaster Avenue and extending to 41st and 39th Streets). The planning agencies, which include the University City District, Penn’s Project for Civic Engagement, Penn Praxis and Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) West, say they are looking for input about what makes for a successful mixed-used, residential/commercial corridor.

The forums continue this Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Christ Community Church (4017 Chestnut St.) and Monday, June 27 at 6 p.m. at the Greater Faith Baptist Church (4031 Baring St.)

The first in a series of public forums on the development of 40th Street is Wednesday. Community members are invited to share their ideas on the design and character of development along the street, which has become a key commercial corridor between residential neighborhoods to the west and academic campuses to the east.

One of the event organizers, the “Friends of 40th Street,” was formed in 2004 to bring the members of neighborhood communities, businesses, and anchor institutions together for a discussion on the planning principles of the 40th Street corridor. One key idea that will be discussed is transportation along 40th street.

That conversation started seven years ago continues this month with the forums. Here’s the full schedule:

Wed, June 15 – 7:30 a.m. – 3901 Market Street
Mon, June 20 – 7:00 p.m. – Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street
Wed, June 22 – 7:30 a.m. – Christ Community Church, 4017 Chestnut Street
Mon, June 27 – 6:00 p.m. – Greater Faith Baptist Church, 4031 Baring Street

For more information visit: www.40thst.org.