Progress continues at the Goldtex Apartments at 12th & Wood, which we last checked in on back in December. This mixed-use adaptive reuse project from Post Brothers should be ready for its first residents soon, despite a well-publicized battle with local trade unions throughout the construction process. And now, as the residential portion of the project is coming to a conclusion, the developers are seeking two commercial tenants for the building’s first floor.

The building

Closer look

According to Fameco, the leasing agents for the property, there’s a space for rent on the corner of 12th & Wood with a little over 2,000 sqft, and a second space on the corner of 12th & Pearl with almost 3,500 sqft. In between the retail spots will be the building’s residential lobby, also with access from 12th Street. With the Reading Viaduct immediately to the building’s east, we don’t imagine too many people will be entering from that direction.

Retail spaces

Rendering of the retail spaces and the building entrance

No doubt, the businesses that take on these spaces will get plenty of customers from among the building’s residents and from other folks who live nearby. But considering the fact that Vine Street is a considerable barrier for people to cross by foot, we’d guess that most customers will come from inside the neighborhood. And while there are more residents here than ever before, it will really need to be the right businesses that come into these spaces if they are to succeed. On that note, might we recommend a pet store for one of the spaces? They should be getting some free and very visible advertising for the foreseeable future.

This wasn't taken in Philly but you get the idea. Image from bluecheddar.net