When we last checked in on the slow moving construction site at 932 Arch St. back in May, it marked more than a decade of coverage of this baffling development in the heart of Chinatown. But recently approved zoning documents for 43-49 10th St. help clarify the latest plans for this ever evolving project, and hopefully signify a path forward at last.
A not so quick refresher: Sometime during the first Obama administration, developers bought the one-story commercial building at 932 Arch St. and built a five story addition on top. The project called for ground floor retail, second floor office space, and apartments upstairs. When we checked in back in 2014, the project was unfinished and had been stalled for a couple years. In 2017, three additional stories had been framed out, the project had swallowed the adjacent property at 934 Arch St., a black tarp was covering the front facade, and the plans had changed to a 168-room hotel. In 2020, the developers were looking to add three more stories to the property, add a six story addition to another section of the property on 10th Street, and increase the number of hotel rooms to 199. Finally, earlier this year, we learned of another revision, with the “final” plan calling for a 10-story building. Plus, work had started on the long vacant section of the property on 10th Street, giving us hope that this project was finally coming around.
Looking at the property today, at least from Arch Street, you might be convinced that things are finally coming around for this property. With the tarp gone, it looks like exterior work is at getting close to completion, perhaps signifying a path to getting this project over the finish line at last. If only it were that easy.
Last week, the City issued a new zoning permit which indicates that construction on 10th Street is far from the only outstanding item here. The latest iteration of the plan calls for the addition of one more story to the building on Arch Street and a reduction in the number of hotel rooms, down to 146. You read it right folks, this building isn’t done growing!
If this is indeed the final final final plan, it will make for an impressive upgrade for a block that still has a good number of walk-up buildings and a surface parking lot. Remember, this project is replacing two low rise buildings that were far from the highest and best use at this location. We certainly appreciate the height and want to note that the light wells will do a fine job of increasing the amount of light and air for the rooms, even if the side of the building looks a little odd, especially in the context of the rest of the block.
Assuming that the new Sixers arena gets approved nearby, we could see a world in which this hotel gets plenty of use from out-of-towners coming for games and concerts. Then again, this project was originally conceived without regard for the arena, given both the extended time frame around its construction and the fact that the new arena is hardly a foregone conclusion just yet. We have to wonder, if the arena does indeed get approved, whether the arena or the hotel at 932 Arch St. will be completed first. Given the history at 932 Arch St., we might be inclined to bet on the arena. Who wants to send us a Draftkings promo code?