iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The view yesterday in Old City of 151 N. 3rd St., several new condos above The Curator Collective, a recently opened third space with plenty of art on the ground floor. The planters from the street all the way to the top windows is such a lovely touch.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Awesome progress on the swing bridge at Schuylkill Crossing. This will provide a walking/biking pathway between SW Philly and Center City, offering an important connection between the two areas. Photo is from Schuylkill Banks.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Today and Tomorrow in Old City Four floors are already framed out at the former Painted Bride. 85 units are planned across six floors, along with a possible restaurant space. How are we feeling about what’s to come?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Progress moving along at the Sedgwick Theater on this gorgeous Saturday. Go explore if you can 🤘

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

BREAKING: Per Shams Charania of ESPN, we have brand-new renderings of the Sixers/Flyers arena at the South Philly Sports Complex. This would rise where the old Spectrum was. Thoughts on the design?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

It’s the start of fall once Riverwards Produce puts out their pumpkins 🎃

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Update on 11th & Berks: Per @inquirer.com and a CDR submission from last week, look for 129 units of affordable housing to rise here (which is a bigger property than speculated almost exactly a year back). Design is from WRT; looks very similar to the original rendering.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The Riverwards Group secured a $20 million loan to move forward on a 155-unit project in Olde Richmond, per Bisnow. This first went through the CDR process back in mid-2022 and will take the place of what's currently a triangular, vacant lot behind the AutoZone on Aramingo. Thoughts on the plans?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

A trio of Rittenhouse retail updates -Rothy's will bring their recycled shoes to 1613 Walnut St. -Call Your Mother bagel shop moves into the old Metropolitan Bakery spot at 1901 Spruce St. -ENTO wellness spa takes over the storefront of 1919 Walnut St. What are you excited for?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A 118-unit proposal at 23rd & Walnut that was first reported by PBJ heads to Civic Design Review in September. Plans call for apartments over 2,750 sqft of retail and underground parking for 46 vehicles. A larger proposal here never came to fruition a few years back. Thoughts?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

A two-story retail space with rooftop dining in Rittenhouse Square is heading to the Hist. Comm. The property at 1706-10 Walnut St. is currently home to Walnut Garden after a fire destroyed the original buildings several years back. Design is from JKRP. Thoughts on the proposal?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

744-48 S. 11th St., currently home to Fearless Athletics, received zoning permits for five single-family homes. This would add to the growing number of new construction homes in the area. No building permits yet and the gym is still open, but more change likely for South Philly.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Zoning permits were issued today for an 8-story, 188-unit proposal at 1527-47 Callowhill St., currently a parking lot. Designed by DesignBlendz, this includes commercial space and parking for 63 bikes/24 vehicles. This is just across from the proposals at the old Hahnemann campus.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

🚨FROZEN TREAT ALERT🚨 The Fishtown Neighbors Association is hearing a proposal for a special exception for a water ice/ice cream shop at 223 E. Girard Ave. (middle), just a block from the busy nexus of Girard & Frankford. The meeting is TONIGHT at 6:30 PM for those interested.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

A pair of 3-story, mixed-use buildings received zoning permits at 621 and 623 W. Girard Ave. (in green) on an awkwardly vacant corner. 619 W. Girard (in yellow) is still for sale separately it seems, but we are glad to see this fill in. What sort of commercial makes sense here?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

A look east and west down the recently completed bike path along the 200 block of Market St. in Old City. This looks great with the landscaping and gives these blocks a completely different look and feel. This *will* be amazing connecting to City Hall…

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

The view of the progress on the Commerce St. Connector from Market St. The awning/porch is down, the pathway is refreshed, and landscaping is in for this updated pedestrian walkway in Old City. This whole stretch of Market St. is looking so much different than a couple years ago.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Camellia Nail Spa & Cafe is brining manis/pedis and coffee to N. 3rd St. in Old City. This adds to both the spa and coffee scenes in the neighborhood and it looks like progress on the inside is far along. Thoughts on the concept?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

The buildings that housed Mamma Maria, the recently closed East Passyunk Italian spot, are for sale. This consists of 1637 E. Passyunk Ave./1632 S. Jessup St. ($1.5M) & 1639 E. Passyunk Ave. ($2M), which can be purchased separately or together. More change yet for E. Passyunk Ave.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Zoning permits were issued Wednesday for the construction of the long-awaited Penn's Landing Park. This 11-acre park along the Delaware River from Chestnut & Walnuts St. just saw the first beams go up over I-95/Delaware Ave. - a major step for this transformational project.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Progress at 208-12 Vine St. in Old City. This will be 35 residential units and some parking and rose on the site of a former Colonial-era manufacturing facility. Landmark Architectural Design handled the look.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

"Turning New," the Percent for Art installation proposed at Riverview Wellness Center, was approved last week. This will add visual interest and seating to a path between the old and new construction campus. The design is from Marguerite de Messieres and Tsvetomir Naydenov.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Wayfinding signage is planned in East Passyunk, per a submission to an upcoming Art Commission meeting on 5/20. The sign - designed by Pace Arch. & Design - would go up on the sidewalk across from Pat's and include a map of the entire BID, the local blocks, and local event info.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Rendering vs. Reality: 5th & Bainbridge 157 units under construction at 5th & Bainbridge in Queen Village. This is replacing a surface parking lot that operated here for years.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Still under construction after years and years at 10th & Spring Garden. Eight stories and 21 units have been planned here, but we aren’t sure the status of this mystery project that’s right next to Union Transfer.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Lots of progress at the Commerce St. Connector, a pedestrian upgrade to a small section of pathway between Market St. and 4th St. Would love to see this ready sooner than later with all of the other updates on Market. Design is from Ground Reconsidered.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Found a hidden park no one knows about but me 👀

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Two gorgeous mosaics are proposed for Francis J. Myers Rec Center in SW Philly. One on the exterior and one for the interior, this Percent for Art proposal from artist Reginald C. Adams would completely transform the building, which is seeing other renovations as well.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Today vs. two years ago at 2nd & Arch in Old City. Formerly home to Economy restaurant supply warehouse, this will soon be home to the Diplomat, a boutique hotel that will focus on group stays. Thoughts on the changes?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

A far away look at the crane and core at Piazza Alta, which will bring another residential tower to the complex.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

No fooling here: demo is imminent at 3rd & Cherry in Old City. Four luxury condos are slated to rise on the site of the beloved former restaurant, adding more density to one of our favorite commercial corridors.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

33 S. 16th St. at 16th & Ranstead in Center City is now available for sale/lease. This Mid-Century building was updated in 2019 by MM Partners and is now listed by Metro CRE after the Wawa that was here closed in December 2024. What would you want to see go in this space?

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

It's official: a zoning permit for demo was issued last week for the Hotel Carlyle at 1423-25 Poplar St. in Francisville. A fire three years ago damaged the former boarding house turned hotel, which was famous for being a safe space for Black travelers during segregation.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Friday Five: March 13th, 2026 We give you the rundown on Market St. updates, a Chestnut Hill Approval, and hotel/grocery store updates. What better way to spend a lovely afternoon than by reading up on this? jackphillyre.substack.com/p/friday-fiv...

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

The site of a 341-unit apartment proposal at 4011 Market St. received zoning permits for demo yesterday, a big step before the potential redevelopment of the site. This L-shaped building from QuakerLane Capital/CUBE3 sits right above the MFL and will have ground floor retail.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Strange but true: There is only ONE property along the entire length of Callowhill St. that is listed the Philadelphia Register of Historical Places: four new-construction rowhomes at the edge of a parking lot at 10-18 Callowhill St, now known as Callowhill Court.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

UPDATE: some new info on the 2nd & Market Plaza in Old City. This updated approach will see substantial movable planters here with the statue not yet planned to move, as conversations are still on-going. Updated rendering courtesy of Independence National Historical Trust/FCA.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Today and tomorrow at 2nd & Market in Old City, where a major streetscape improvement is wrapping up. Bike lanes and pedestrian improvements are complete west of here to Independence Mall. We are stoked to see this plaza in the future. Old City District led the charge here.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

The corner of 4th & Cherry in Old City

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

There appears to maybe be plans for some parking behind this per this site plan included with the CDR presentation. I have no idea if or when this might be included though:

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

63 affordable units received zoning permits at 2006 Cecil B. Moore Ave. after going through Civic Design Review in September. Three-stories and ground-floor retail will rise on a site that's been vacant for over 20 years. This is being developed by the Phila. Housing Authority.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

541 E. Girard Ave., the former home of Kraftwork Bar, is now for sale. After the Fishtown bar temporarily closed in June 2025, it seems that this might be more than temporary. In addition to the 1,500 sqft bar, there are two 2-bedroom apartments above. It can be yours for $1.55M.

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Arthaus peeking between the other newish residential towers

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Jack O’Brien @jackphillyre.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Per Daniel Pearson of the Inquirer, a judge reversed the historic district for Washington Square West. We’d imagine there will be some pushback on the ruling, but as of now, the designation has been reversed. The map shows the impacted area. What are your thoughts on the ruling?

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