Check out the new rendering for the 12th and Morris building
Construction will begin in about six weeks on the replacement for the recently demolished building that used to house Artisan Boulanger, according to developer Stephen Olitsky.
Olitsky says the new design for the building at 12th, Morris and Passyunk, of which he sent us renderings, better fits the neighborhood than the more modern original proposal.
Olitsky had been planning to fill the first floor of the building with a bistro from chef Chris Scarduzio, who recently pulled out of the project. Olitsky told The Insider that he had already been on the hunt for another restaurant partner.
We also received pictures of a crew creating a sidewalk from the loose bricks of the demolished building, which will ease pedestrian traffic while the replacement is constructed.
Meanwhile, what do you think of the new design? Here’s the old one for comparison:
more black brick…yawn.
I can attest to how much easier it is for pedestrian traffic with that sidewalk open. Genius idea to use bricks from the demolished building!
I live across the street from this lot. I really hope the developer reconsiders and goes with the original, more modern-looking design. This “new” design looks dated…and it will likely be inconsistent with the future of that intersection.
Birra is modern-looking, as is Cantina. I’m sure Bing Bing (the old El Zarape building) will have a more contemporary look…and one day, when the Interior Concepts building is sold and redeveloped, that will probably take on a more contemporary look too.
I agree with Gregg. The old designer looks much nicer and definitely more inviting for a resaurant space with all the glass on the bottom floor.
The original design was much better!!!
The temporary sidewalk is much appreciated! That’s a difficult intersection anyway with the lights and no pedestrian crossing signals, so this helps a lot.
Maybe it’s just the colors, but I like the original better. However, the new design fits the neighborhood better.
While I think the design is nice, I think it is out of character with the look of the homes & look of the neighborhood.
Who came up with Black Brick, can you get more depressing??? The whole area is going towards a more modern design ( i.e. the new houses on 12th and Latona ), I agree that the black brick will look dated very quickly. It does not need to be black and metallic to be modern it can be a lighter cheerier design.
I rarely go “design snob” since it’s by far not my area of expertise, but from the layperson’s perspective, I’d caution against using the 12th and Latona houses as models for future development. I’ve also found, in just reading and looking through architectural magazines, etc. that for as many trends as there are in design, we often end up back with classic, old-school elements (subway tile in bathrooms, for example). Maybe the best thing to do is go with something that more in line with what the houses and commercial buildings in the neighborhood have (and have had for 70 years). While a few new developments are coming in, the vast majority of the older buildings aren’t going anywhere fast. May as well go with “timeless.”
Full agree.
Does anyone know when the next civic association meeting for this is? Or if there are any other renderings to look at. I also live in the area and want more information and input on this.
I don’t think there will be any additional meetings for this project unless another zoning variance is needed.
That sidewalk patch is awesome. Resourceful and considerate of our neighborhood.
I like the new design better
I don’t see how the old design could be considered more modern and the new design less modern. Either way, the old design is considerably more inviting.
The large ground-floor windows of the old design are better for a busy corner. Both designs are blah.
All these “modern” buildings are downright ugly, are an affront to the classical red brick nomenclature of our fair city and will scream 2014 twenty years from now. Bring back “in-scale with the neighborhood” architecture that will scream classic 20 years from now.
I completely agree. South Philly is now filled with these ugly modern houses. Is it so hard to build a house that fits into the neighborhood? I understand wanting to have a new look, but part of the charm of East Passyunk is the classic main street look!