Blatstein working to move Broad and Washington project forward, seeking zoning variances
It’s been some time now since we’ve heard an update on Bart Blatstein‘s massive project planned for Broad and Washington. Over a year has passed since he announced the preliminary plans for the project, which at the time included two residential towers with up to 28-stories, along with 210,000 sq. ft. of retail space over four floors of the building, for a total of 32-stories.
Blatstein is now seeking zoning variances for the property to move forward with this project, which now seems to include one 32-story tower, along with over 900 apartments, over 800 parking spaces, ground floor retail and maybe even a hotel.
More from PlanPhilly:
According to an appeal posted by the Department of Licenses and Inspections, Blatstein is now pursuing a project with one 32-story tower, 944 apartments, 882 parking spaces, ground-floor retail spaces and, potentially, an 80-room hotel. The proposal is expected to go through Civic Design Review and Planning Commission review next month. As required by the zoning code, Blatstein has requested a meeting with Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition, the local Registered Community Organization, later this month. The zoning board hearing has not been scheduled yet.
The site is already zoned CMX-5, the most permissive commercial zoning classification in the city. It’s not clear exactly how many variances Blatstein will need—his plans may not be finalized yet—but the CMX-5 zoning requires a special exception to include parking spaces above ground.
This isn’t the only Blatstein project in the works in South Philly. He’s planning a residential and commercial complex for Columbus Boulevard on a 16-acre plot of land.
This is simply ugly and greedy use of the space! What happened to the idea of open spaces and architecture that matches the area? This is an eyesore and ruins the beautiful city scape view on the corner. So much for creativity and environmentalism. Again, money hungry wins, sorry Philly, once again future forward planning loses….
Goodbye sunlight, hello concrete canyon.
NIMBY trolls continue to think nothing is better than something. all of you morons with zero urban planning chops keep criticizing progress. meanwhile, this will block my view of the city skyline and i’m still in favor of it.
NOTHING is better than that HORRIFIC MESS OF CONCRETE AND GLASS!!!!!
That is not progress — that is pure greed ! The developer will push for as much as possible to line his own pockets. How does this help the community?
That development has no place in a city of neighborhoods!!