A reader checked in, asking about the vacant building at 311 S. Broad St., directly across the street from the Kimmel Center. We were reminded that we wondered about that very building some ten years ago, around the time the Kimmel Center opened, thinking it would be a slam-dunk location for a fancy bar/restaurant. Alas, the building is being used now for pretty much the same purpose as it was back then- a pigeon coop.

Awesome building

All 19,500 sqft of 311 S. Broad St. were purchased by Assorted Music Partnership, back in 1997, for $400K. The (former) Philadelphia International Records office was located in the building next door, until it caught fire last year. Both Assorted Music Partnership and Philadelphia International Records, in case you didn’t already assume, are owned by gated-mansion loving,…

As you probably already noticed, the Center City Italian Bistro closed back in May. According to a post on Foobooz from a few months back, the plan for the space is for an art studio as well as Terra Hall, a dining hall for UArts students that will not be open to the public.

Demoed inside

UArts’ initial timeline had Terra Hall opening this Fall, but we’re not holding our breath. The space is currently stripped down to the walls, and work does not seem to have begun on the dining hall that is to come.

Blurry image of the current condition of the space

Floor plan, from HMC architects

The closing of Italian Bistro was rather abrupt, and many locals who patronized the place did not see this…