Jack O’Brien
@jackphillyre.bsky.social
Hundreds of new construction apartments have risen over the last several years at 43rd & Chestnut in Spruce Hill in West Philly. It’s incredible how much this area has changed over the last decade. Thoughts on the changes?
December 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Hundreds of new construction apartments have risen over the last several years at 43rd & Chestnut in Spruce Hill in West Philly. It’s incredible how much this area has changed over the last decade. Thoughts on the changes?
lol I said nearly the same thing on the other site
December 8, 2025 at 1:16 AM
lol I said nearly the same thing on the other site
Progress for the 18-unit, 4-story building at 18th & Washington. This mixed-use project from HDO Architecture will also include 5,000 sqft of commercial space and a 20-car garage. Yet another big change along this stretch of Washington Ave. This one is turning out quite nicely.
December 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Progress for the 18-unit, 4-story building at 18th & Washington. This mixed-use project from HDO Architecture will also include 5,000 sqft of commercial space and a 20-car garage. Yet another big change along this stretch of Washington Ave. This one is turning out quite nicely.
A pilates studio is slated to come to the Archer apartments at 130 W. Girard Ave. The spot of a former bank, the 7-story, 84-unit building will still have one more commercial space at the very northern tip of Northern Liberties. Two other apartments are rising across the street from here.
December 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A pilates studio is slated to come to the Archer apartments at 130 W. Girard Ave. The spot of a former bank, the 7-story, 84-unit building will still have one more commercial space at the very northern tip of Northern Liberties. Two other apartments are rising across the street from here.
2017 Sansom is for sale for $5 million. This three-bedroom spot has a *12* car garage and is slated to go to the Historical Commission to legalize the windows and doors that were installed without a permit or approval - oops! This carriage house was built in 1885.
December 6, 2025 at 2:45 AM
2017 Sansom is for sale for $5 million. This three-bedroom spot has a *12* car garage and is slated to go to the Historical Commission to legalize the windows and doors that were installed without a permit or approval - oops! This carriage house was built in 1885.
We've got a revised rendering for the 28-unit, mixed-use project at 20th & Fairmount that went to the Hist. Comm. a few weeks ago. The refinements from Assimilation Design Lab definitely look like an improvement from the original design. How are we liking the updated look?
December 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
We've got a revised rendering for the 28-unit, mixed-use project at 20th & Fairmount that went to the Hist. Comm. a few weeks ago. The refinements from Assimilation Design Lab definitely look like an improvement from the original design. How are we liking the updated look?
With Franklin Mills now for sale, what would you want to see go on the 137-acre site in NE Philly? Malls across the region are shifting concepts, adding more uses and residences. I wouldn't bank on the mall returning, but it's fascinating what might be ahead for this landmark.
December 5, 2025 at 4:32 PM
With Franklin Mills now for sale, what would you want to see go on the 137-acre site in NE Philly? Malls across the region are shifting concepts, adding more uses and residences. I wouldn't bank on the mall returning, but it's fascinating what might be ahead for this landmark.
Thousands of new units, a new trail and new landscaping have all arrived at the Delaware River Waterfront over the last several years. This part of Northern Liberties has changed so much - and could see even more in the years ahead. Thoughts on the changes?
December 3, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Thousands of new units, a new trail and new landscaping have all arrived at the Delaware River Waterfront over the last several years. This part of Northern Liberties has changed so much - and could see even more in the years ahead. Thoughts on the changes?
UPDATE: over $50 million of construction funding was just procured for this project, per GREA. This will be two phases: 100 units in the adaptive reuse portion and 77 units in the new construction portion. Glad to see this one making progress again.
December 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
UPDATE: over $50 million of construction funding was just procured for this project, per GREA. This will be two phases: 100 units in the adaptive reuse portion and 77 units in the new construction portion. Glad to see this one making progress again.
MOTW Coffee & Pastries is coming to the base of the Murano at 2101 Market St. in Center City. Taking the place of a credit union, this coffee spot focuses on Muslim stories and hopes to be "a warm, welcoming space for all." Stoked to check this out.
December 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
MOTW Coffee & Pastries is coming to the base of the Murano at 2101 Market St. in Center City. Taking the place of a credit union, this coffee spot focuses on Muslim stories and hopes to be "a warm, welcoming space for all." Stoked to check this out.
Old City Kava Co. is on the verge of bringing their kava/kratom concoctions to the Amble in Old City. A new zoning permit means this long-rumored spot is one step closer, with a wide-ranging menu now on their website giving a hint at what's in store. Opening date is Dec '25.
December 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Old City Kava Co. is on the verge of bringing their kava/kratom concoctions to the Amble in Old City. A new zoning permit means this long-rumored spot is one step closer, with a wide-ranging menu now on their website giving a hint at what's in store. Opening date is Dec '25.
A new fitness studio is coming to La Marceline, a recently completed mixed-use building at 2456 Frankford Ave. designed by Bright Common. We aren't sure exactly what the concept will be, but this adds even more to the growing - and changing - Frankford Ave. commercial corridor in East Kensington.
December 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
A new fitness studio is coming to La Marceline, a recently completed mixed-use building at 2456 Frankford Ave. designed by Bright Common. We aren't sure exactly what the concept will be, but this adds even more to the growing - and changing - Frankford Ave. commercial corridor in East Kensington.
Is this the future at Harper Square, the planned tower at 19th & Sansom? After getting word from a follower, we saw this new rendering for the proposal from Pearl Properties on the Philadelphia C-PACE website, where $60 million of funding was announced thanks to energy savings.
December 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Is this the future at Harper Square, the planned tower at 19th & Sansom? After getting word from a follower, we saw this new rendering for the proposal from Pearl Properties on the Philadelphia C-PACE website, where $60 million of funding was announced thanks to energy savings.
Very excited for this hat
November 30, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Very excited for this hat
Out of all of the many cities, it’s nice to live in The One.
November 30, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Out of all of the many cities, it’s nice to live in The One.
Commercial building permits have been issued for a catering/event space at 1801 E. Huntingdon St. at this handsome former bank right next to the MFL.
November 29, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Commercial building permits have been issued for a catering/event space at 1801 E. Huntingdon St. at this handsome former bank right next to the MFL.
Sorry for being MIA the last week or so: had to get my heart cut open, etc (don’t worry, I’m good). Tell your family and friends that you love them and eat a bunch of turkey for me today 🍗
November 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Sorry for being MIA the last week or so: had to get my heart cut open, etc (don’t worry, I’m good). Tell your family and friends that you love them and eat a bunch of turkey for me today 🍗
The changes for this site are truly incredible
November 20, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The changes for this site are truly incredible
The Francisville Triangle has undergone a huge transformation over the last 16 years. Townhouses and new construction apartments have dramatically changed the area near Wylie & Cameron St., with an even larger five-story, 115-unit building planned for the corner.
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The Francisville Triangle has undergone a huge transformation over the last 16 years. Townhouses and new construction apartments have dramatically changed the area near Wylie & Cameron St., with an even larger five-story, 115-unit building planned for the corner.
What if we kissed...at the bistro in the base of the new Fishtown parking garage that overlooks a gravel lot?
The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.
The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.
November 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
What if we kissed...at the bistro in the base of the new Fishtown parking garage that overlooks a gravel lot?
The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.
The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.
Today and tomorrow at the corner of 20th & Fairmount, recently home to Rite Aid and parking. As Rising Real Estate reported, plans for three stories, 28 units and five commercial spaces are heading to the Historical Commission for review. Love seeing this corner shift to mixed-use 👍
November 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Today and tomorrow at the corner of 20th & Fairmount, recently home to Rite Aid and parking. As Rising Real Estate reported, plans for three stories, 28 units and five commercial spaces are heading to the Historical Commission for review. Love seeing this corner shift to mixed-use 👍
The Silver Buckle is now open at the former JJ Bootleggers spot at 35 S. 2nd St. in Old City. This “Nashville inspired party bar” looks to pick up where JJB left off, so expect to see this packed for tonight’s Birds game 🦅 Glad to see the space reactivated on this stretch.
November 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The Silver Buckle is now open at the former JJ Bootleggers spot at 35 S. 2nd St. in Old City. This “Nashville inspired party bar” looks to pick up where JJB left off, so expect to see this packed for tonight’s Birds game 🦅 Glad to see the space reactivated on this stretch.
No action, sales, or permits recently for 700 Chestnut St., which had plans for an overbuild nearly three years ago. This would also involve the demo of Las Vegas Lounge next door. It would be awesome to see these buildings reactivated, overbuild or not. Design from Studio HS4.
November 16, 2025 at 1:59 AM
No action, sales, or permits recently for 700 Chestnut St., which had plans for an overbuild nearly three years ago. This would also involve the demo of Las Vegas Lounge next door. It would be awesome to see these buildings reactivated, overbuild or not. Design from Studio HS4.