Earlier this month, the Historical Commission approved plans for the Corn Exchange building located at 3rd & Arch to be redeveloped into a three-story gourmet market, Plan Philly reports.

The changes will mean the creation of a small roof deck on the northern half of the building set about 70-feet back from the façade, making the sidewalk bluestone instead of concrete, installing a new elevator and ramp to meet accessibility requirements and adding a chiller to the roof. The commission granted approval of the plans after architect David Schultz of DAS Architects presented revised plans that reflected the commission’s suggestions which addressed a new mass of stairs leading to a penthouse.

Handsome building

Constructed in 1907, the historic imperial looking building hosted MTV’s Real World Season 15. The cast lived…

Back in November of 2011, we told you about an overhaul coming to a prominent Old City corner. And now the project appears to be headed toward completion. After standing vacant for close to 30 years, the BAR arrow signage has been preserved, and the Franklin Trust Company building will be soon ready for a new establishment. Just a few steps away from the popular Franklin Fountain, Shane Confectionery, and a slowly burgeoning group of business on the 100 block of Market, the corner building’s storefront and entryway appear to be the last details in need of attention. Back in 2011, Hidden City did a detailed profile of 100 Market Street, describing the site of the London Coffee House and the property’s rich commercial history over the years.

The corner

A phased green redevelopment of Penn’s Landing is edging ever closer as the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) announced this month its selection of international and domestic award-winning firm Hargreaves Associates to perform preliminary design work on the area defined by a stretch that runs between Market and South Streets and extends from Front Street to the river.

Current view of Penn's Landing

The concept envisions an eight acre Penn’s Landing Park as the centerpiece of this sustainable redevelopment, that will connect Walnut and Chestnut Streets to Penn’s Landing, as well as redefine the current slope as it descends from the expressway towards the river. Other plans include a cap over I-95 and the development of a six acre site at Front & Market. Those and other concepts were informed by the Master Plan for the…

For years, First Friday in Old City has given us a nice excuse to stroll around an ornately constructed part of town, meandering through art galleries and sipping wine, while nibbling on cheese, grapes, chocolate and such. The area is home to dozens of galleries and boutiques, spread through a neighborhood that rings with charm (except after midnight on a Saturday, of course).

Meandering up 3rd Street

Clearly, it’s events like First Friday and the reputation of galleries like Snyderman-Works that have helped bolster the national image of Philadelphia’s art scene over the past decade plus. This year, Old City was named to the list of America’s Top Art Places by ArtPlace America. It was listed behind urban neighborhoods like Brooklyn, Oakland, Dallas and Milwaukee. Milwaukee? Apparently its Third Ward is an urban enclave of Midwestern artistic activity.

The selection of these…

After 15 years, the founders and producers of the Live Arts and Philly Fringe Festival, Philly’s off-beat theatre and musical festival, will soon be moving to an interesting new home. It will mean the repurposing of a 100-plus-year old building along the waterfront.

“It will be a kind of central hub,” said President and Promoting Director Nick Stuccio, also a founder. “From that central hub you can go off and have an adventure.”

Future home for Live Arts

Maybe to a restaurant in Northern Liberties, a gallery in Old City, or a warehouse in Kensington. Maybe, if last year’s schedule is any indication, you’ll head to see the “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead,” performance; or “Goose Feathers: Nursery Rhymes for Kids Over 18.”

Last year, Live Arts purchased a pumping station built in 1903 that provided additional water for fighting…

Over the summer, we told you about an ambitious plan from developer David Perlman to construct new homes on Front & Willow, in the shadow of I95. This location, a short but dodgy walk from the Spring Garden El station, seems like a but of a risky place for any development. But this project, consisting of thirty-two homes, is a bold stroke by a developer with some serious cojones.

Last summer, looking north

Current view

Looking south toward the project. Block doesn't have much.

As you can see from the photos above, lots of progress has taken place here in about six months. It’s actually pretty incredible just how much of the project is framed out. According to notes from JKR Partners, the designers of the development, The Townhomes at 412…