Jack O’Brien
@jackphillyre.bsky.social
An escape room is planned for 1338-48 Chestnut St. near S. Broad & Chestnut. The large commercial space in the ground-floor of the Griffin apts. sits right next to The Capital Grille and is just two blocks from another newish escape room, Time Mission. Thoughts on the plans?
February 5, 2026 at 3:45 PM
An escape room is planned for 1338-48 Chestnut St. near S. Broad & Chestnut. The large commercial space in the ground-floor of the Griffin apts. sits right next to The Capital Grille and is just two blocks from another newish escape room, Time Mission. Thoughts on the plans?
Going out to the KoP Bahama Breeze and drinking my Jared McCain/Jeff Stoutland pain away
February 5, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Going out to the KoP Bahama Breeze and drinking my Jared McCain/Jeff Stoutland pain away
After an announcement last summer, Esposito's Porchetta in East Passyunk is taking a major step towards opening a sandwich shop at 1629 S 10th St. They head to a zoning meeting with EPX Civic Association next Monday, Feb. 9th. Go out and show your support if you live in the area!
February 4, 2026 at 6:04 PM
After an announcement last summer, Esposito's Porchetta in East Passyunk is taking a major step towards opening a sandwich shop at 1629 S 10th St. They head to a zoning meeting with EPX Civic Association next Monday, Feb. 9th. Go out and show your support if you live in the area!
A former church is for sale for $999,000 as a single-family home at 309 Monastery Ave. in Manayunk. This 3,000 sqft home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two-car parking, and multiple outdoor spaces. The stained glass and tower just ooze character. Who’s moving in?
January 30, 2026 at 3:28 AM
A former church is for sale for $999,000 as a single-family home at 309 Monastery Ave. in Manayunk. This 3,000 sqft home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two-car parking, and multiple outdoor spaces. The stained glass and tower just ooze character. Who’s moving in?
Big news for Temple and South Broad St. per The Temple News: the former University of the Arts building/Ritz-Carlton Hotel will be home to several parts of Temple’s Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts beginning in Fall 2027, with Terra Hall seeing a $35-million renovation.
January 29, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Big news for Temple and South Broad St. per The Temple News: the former University of the Arts building/Ritz-Carlton Hotel will be home to several parts of Temple’s Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts beginning in Fall 2027, with Terra Hall seeing a $35-million renovation.
Ten Penn Center at 18th & Market is about to see a big change. After PMC Property Group purchased the tower in July, floors 17-27 of this office building will be converted to 273 units, continuing the office-to-residential trend that seems to only be picking up momentum in Center City. Thoughts?
January 28, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Ten Penn Center at 18th & Market is about to see a big change. After PMC Property Group purchased the tower in July, floors 17-27 of this office building will be converted to 273 units, continuing the office-to-residential trend that seems to only be picking up momentum in Center City. Thoughts?
Jake nails it here, covering how much is now happening in an area that was nearly banned from hosting any housing (Side note: I was literally writing this same article when I saw this pop up lol). I've included a graphic that shows this latest proposal in context of the proposed overlay:
January 27, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Jake nails it here, covering how much is now happening in an area that was nearly banned from hosting any housing (Side note: I was literally writing this same article when I saw this pop up lol). I've included a graphic that shows this latest proposal in context of the proposed overlay:
Per Philly YIMBY, an 81-unit, mixed-use apartment at 2031 N. 63rd St. received construction permits. This four-story building near St. Joe's University will include 24 parking spaces/ground floor commercial. It's being developed by Rock Urban Mgmt. and designed by KCA Design Associates. Thoughts?
January 27, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Per Philly YIMBY, an 81-unit, mixed-use apartment at 2031 N. 63rd St. received construction permits. This four-story building near St. Joe's University will include 24 parking spaces/ground floor commercial. It's being developed by Rock Urban Mgmt. and designed by KCA Design Associates. Thoughts?
Pier 25 at 415-417R N. Columbus Blvd. in Northern Liberties - best known as Cavanaugh’s Riverdeck - is now for sale. The 2-acre, CMX-3 zoned property could be home to a sizable new development, joining all of the other multi-family action in the area. What would you want to see?
January 26, 2026 at 2:57 AM
Pier 25 at 415-417R N. Columbus Blvd. in Northern Liberties - best known as Cavanaugh’s Riverdeck - is now for sale. The 2-acre, CMX-3 zoned property could be home to a sizable new development, joining all of the other multi-family action in the area. What would you want to see?
The Department of the Interior should learn to shut their mouths and know what their role is - it’s not whatever this crap is. Embarrassing but not surprising from these cretins:
January 23, 2026 at 11:21 PM
The Department of the Interior should learn to shut their mouths and know what their role is - it’s not whatever this crap is. Embarrassing but not surprising from these cretins:
Three new signs for a trio of Rittenhouse Square businesses:
Mitchell & Ness in their new flagship store at 1513 Walnut St.
SEV brings their laser hair removal to 1525 Chestnut St.
Haraz Coffee brings Yemeni coffee to 1822 Chestnut St.
Which spot are you most stoked for?
Mitchell & Ness in their new flagship store at 1513 Walnut St.
SEV brings their laser hair removal to 1525 Chestnut St.
Haraz Coffee brings Yemeni coffee to 1822 Chestnut St.
Which spot are you most stoked for?
January 23, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Three new signs for a trio of Rittenhouse Square businesses:
Mitchell & Ness in their new flagship store at 1513 Walnut St.
SEV brings their laser hair removal to 1525 Chestnut St.
Haraz Coffee brings Yemeni coffee to 1822 Chestnut St.
Which spot are you most stoked for?
Mitchell & Ness in their new flagship store at 1513 Walnut St.
SEV brings their laser hair removal to 1525 Chestnut St.
Haraz Coffee brings Yemeni coffee to 1822 Chestnut St.
Which spot are you most stoked for?
A new design for this is heading to the Architectural Committee of the Historical Commission next week. This slightly updates a design we weren’t in love with when we wrote about it in December. Thoughts on the new proposed look?
January 21, 2026 at 9:15 PM
A new design for this is heading to the Architectural Committee of the Historical Commission next week. This slightly updates a design we weren’t in love with when we wrote about it in December. Thoughts on the new proposed look?
4889 Umbria St. in Manayunk makes a return trip to Civic Design Review next month. 369 units and a 380-vehicle garage are planned around some existing low-rise industrial buildings. This is all directly across from the Ivy Ridge SEPTA station. Thoughts on the plans?
January 20, 2026 at 8:09 PM
4889 Umbria St. in Manayunk makes a return trip to Civic Design Review next month. 369 units and a 380-vehicle garage are planned around some existing low-rise industrial buildings. This is all directly across from the Ivy Ridge SEPTA station. Thoughts on the plans?
Signs of Old City from a sunnier day
January 18, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Signs of Old City from a sunnier day
No action in ages at 141-43 N. 4th St./319 Cherry St. in Old City. The developer, Genesis Capital, bought another property nearby last year on N. 3rd St., but seems to be dealing with lawsuits in both Utah & New Jersey. No word if - or when - this one will get moving again.
January 16, 2026 at 8:07 PM
No action in ages at 141-43 N. 4th St./319 Cherry St. in Old City. The developer, Genesis Capital, bought another property nearby last year on N. 3rd St., but seems to be dealing with lawsuits in both Utah & New Jersey. No word if - or when - this one will get moving again.
Rendering vs. Reality: 6515 Ridge Ave.
A 100-unit apartment in Roxborough was completed somewhat recently. This received a fresh food market bonus for 15 extra feet of height, but a new zoning permit shows that a childcare center will go in instead. So much for the market, it seems!
A 100-unit apartment in Roxborough was completed somewhat recently. This received a fresh food market bonus for 15 extra feet of height, but a new zoning permit shows that a childcare center will go in instead. So much for the market, it seems!
January 15, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Rendering vs. Reality: 6515 Ridge Ave.
A 100-unit apartment in Roxborough was completed somewhat recently. This received a fresh food market bonus for 15 extra feet of height, but a new zoning permit shows that a childcare center will go in instead. So much for the market, it seems!
A 100-unit apartment in Roxborough was completed somewhat recently. This received a fresh food market bonus for 15 extra feet of height, but a new zoning permit shows that a childcare center will go in instead. So much for the market, it seems!
A ceremonial groundbreaking took place today for this now $150 million upgrade to the streetscape along the Avenue of the Arts. Phase 1 calls for a landscaped median between Spruce & Pine, with more plantings/seating/lighting to come. Check the article from last summer for more.
January 15, 2026 at 2:17 AM
A ceremonial groundbreaking took place today for this now $150 million upgrade to the streetscape along the Avenue of the Arts. Phase 1 calls for a landscaped median between Spruce & Pine, with more plantings/seating/lighting to come. Check the article from last summer for more.
Have you always wanted to buy a McDonald's? Well now you can! The soon-to-open fast-food spot at 1604 Chestnut St. just hit the market for $3.57 million. The store's 20-year lease starts March 2026, bringing the golden arches back to Center City in the old Portabella storefront.
January 14, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Have you always wanted to buy a McDonald's? Well now you can! The soon-to-open fast-food spot at 1604 Chestnut St. just hit the market for $3.57 million. The store's 20-year lease starts March 2026, bringing the golden arches back to Center City in the old Portabella storefront.
Per @phillytrib.bsky.social, the intercity bus terminal will be back in action May 1st. Mayor Parker signed legislation that will return this to Chinatown this spring, getting this operating before the events of this summer. This ends years of stopgap solutions that were terrible for riders.
January 14, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Per @phillytrib.bsky.social, the intercity bus terminal will be back in action May 1st. Mayor Parker signed legislation that will return this to Chinatown this spring, getting this operating before the events of this summer. This ends years of stopgap solutions that were terrible for riders.
Nick Sirianni: confirmed JackPhillyRE reader
January 13, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Nick Sirianni: confirmed JackPhillyRE reader
A coffee shop is coming to the corner of 12th & Chancellor to 210 S. 12th St. in the Gayborhood. No word yet on the specific tenant, but we're glad to see this commercial space filled along this burgeoning stretch of the neighborhood. What would you want to see here?
January 13, 2026 at 2:41 PM
A coffee shop is coming to the corner of 12th & Chancellor to 210 S. 12th St. in the Gayborhood. No word yet on the specific tenant, but we're glad to see this commercial space filled along this burgeoning stretch of the neighborhood. What would you want to see here?
The intersection of E. York & Jasper in East Kensington maybe has maybe changed more than anywhere in Philly since 2009. Hundreds of new construction apartments have risen just a block from the York-Dauphin El station. How are you feeling about the change?
January 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM
The intersection of E. York & Jasper in East Kensington maybe has maybe changed more than anywhere in Philly since 2009. Hundreds of new construction apartments have risen just a block from the York-Dauphin El station. How are you feeling about the change?
1936 Washington Ave. is for sale for $9.2 million. Long the home to OCF Realty, Planet Fitness is filling the 2nd floor and Baker Street Bread Co. has also had space here. A mystery grocery store/butcher shop recently received permits, along with a sit-down/take-out restaurant.
January 10, 2026 at 9:27 PM
1936 Washington Ave. is for sale for $9.2 million. Long the home to OCF Realty, Planet Fitness is filling the 2nd floor and Baker Street Bread Co. has also had space here. A mystery grocery store/butcher shop recently received permits, along with a sit-down/take-out restaurant.
Rendering vs. Reality: 2132 N. 10th St.
Six-stories, 35 units on a triangular lot that overlooks the Temple football practice field. One-bedroom units start just under $1,400/month for this building that just started leasing. Look is from DesignBlendz. Thoughts?
Six-stories, 35 units on a triangular lot that overlooks the Temple football practice field. One-bedroom units start just under $1,400/month for this building that just started leasing. Look is from DesignBlendz. Thoughts?
January 9, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Rendering vs. Reality: 2132 N. 10th St.
Six-stories, 35 units on a triangular lot that overlooks the Temple football practice field. One-bedroom units start just under $1,400/month for this building that just started leasing. Look is from DesignBlendz. Thoughts?
Six-stories, 35 units on a triangular lot that overlooks the Temple football practice field. One-bedroom units start just under $1,400/month for this building that just started leasing. Look is from DesignBlendz. Thoughts?