Jack O’Brien
@jackphillyre.bsky.social
The changes for this site are truly incredible
November 20, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The changes for this site are truly incredible
The Francisville Triangle has undergone a huge transformation over the last 16 years. Townhouses and new construction apartments have dramatically changed the area near Wylie & Cameron St., with an even larger five-story, 115-unit building planned for the corner.
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The Francisville Triangle has undergone a huge transformation over the last 16 years. Townhouses and new construction apartments have dramatically changed the area near Wylie & Cameron St., with an even larger five-story, 115-unit building planned for the corner.
What if we kissed...at the bistro in the base of the new Fishtown parking garage that overlooks a gravel lot?
The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.
The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.
November 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
What if we kissed...at the bistro in the base of the new Fishtown parking garage that overlooks a gravel lot?
The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.
The seven-story, 372-space garage will head to Civic Design Review on December 2nd. Rooftop commercial space will also be included, with views of Carvana.
Today and tomorrow at the corner of 20th & Fairmount, recently home to Rite Aid and parking. As Rising Real Estate reported, plans for three stories, 28 units and five commercial spaces are heading to the Historical Commission for review. Love seeing this corner shift to mixed-use 👍
November 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Today and tomorrow at the corner of 20th & Fairmount, recently home to Rite Aid and parking. As Rising Real Estate reported, plans for three stories, 28 units and five commercial spaces are heading to the Historical Commission for review. Love seeing this corner shift to mixed-use 👍
The Silver Buckle is now open at the former JJ Bootleggers spot at 35 S. 2nd St. in Old City. This “Nashville inspired party bar” looks to pick up where JJB left off, so expect to see this packed for tonight’s Birds game 🦅 Glad to see the space reactivated on this stretch.
November 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The Silver Buckle is now open at the former JJ Bootleggers spot at 35 S. 2nd St. in Old City. This “Nashville inspired party bar” looks to pick up where JJB left off, so expect to see this packed for tonight’s Birds game 🦅 Glad to see the space reactivated on this stretch.
No action, sales, or permits recently for 700 Chestnut St., which had plans for an overbuild nearly three years ago. This would also involve the demo of Las Vegas Lounge next door. It would be awesome to see these buildings reactivated, overbuild or not. Design from Studio HS4.
November 16, 2025 at 1:59 AM
No action, sales, or permits recently for 700 Chestnut St., which had plans for an overbuild nearly three years ago. This would also involve the demo of Las Vegas Lounge next door. It would be awesome to see these buildings reactivated, overbuild or not. Design from Studio HS4.
Some major changes near 26th & Poplar over the years. The Brewerytown neighborhood has seen a wild amount of development as this little stretch shows.
November 15, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Some major changes near 26th & Poplar over the years. The Brewerytown neighborhood has seen a wild amount of development as this little stretch shows.
An information session for the Spring Garden Connector is taking place Wed. Nov. 19th at the School District offices on N. Broad St. Engineering plans will be presented with opportunity for feedback. This is in advance of construction, which should be completed by 2029, per @whyynews.bsky.social.
November 14, 2025 at 2:05 PM
An information session for the Spring Garden Connector is taking place Wed. Nov. 19th at the School District offices on N. Broad St. Engineering plans will be presented with opportunity for feedback. This is in advance of construction, which should be completed by 2029, per @whyynews.bsky.social.
Big news for the Philly arts scene: Ministry of Awe will have its grand opening on Saturday, March 14th at 27 N. 3rd St. in Old City. The former bank is getting six floors of fun, all organized by muralist Meg Saligman. Love seeing the arts returning to Old City.
November 13, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Big news for the Philly arts scene: Ministry of Awe will have its grand opening on Saturday, March 14th at 27 N. 3rd St. in Old City. The former bank is getting six floors of fun, all organized by muralist Meg Saligman. Love seeing the arts returning to Old City.
1713 N. Front St. is underway per Full Court Construction. 55 units over 2,700 sqft of commercial space is coming, with a slightly updated design from Canno. This is right across from the new Urby, which has Percy diner and Mecha Noodle Bar on the ground floor.
November 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM
1713 N. Front St. is underway per Full Court Construction. 55 units over 2,700 sqft of commercial space is coming, with a slightly updated design from Canno. This is right across from the new Urby, which has Percy diner and Mecha Noodle Bar on the ground floor.
Rendering vs. reality at The Riley, 80 units over commercial space at 6808 Ridge Ave. in Roxborough. This one finished up within the last year or so, with a design from Ingram/Sageser. Let’s get some landscaping going here, please?
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Rendering vs. reality at The Riley, 80 units over commercial space at 6808 Ridge Ave. in Roxborough. This one finished up within the last year or so, with a design from Ingram/Sageser. Let’s get some landscaping going here, please?
The final design of the Chinatown Stitch highway capping project will be revealed at a session tomorrow, Wed 11/12 from 5-8pm. This first phase will add some much-needed green space to the neighborhood, so we're excited to see the plans. Let's hope the funding here comes through.
November 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The final design of the Chinatown Stitch highway capping project will be revealed at a session tomorrow, Wed 11/12 from 5-8pm. This first phase will add some much-needed green space to the neighborhood, so we're excited to see the plans. Let's hope the funding here comes through.
This has been listed for a minute, but it's still one of the coolest places I can remember seeing: 4900 Longshore Ave. in Tacony.
Built in 1893 as a bank, it's most recently been home to Keystone Soundworks, but this 3-bed/3-bath, 9,300 sqft spot could be your home for $1.07M.
Built in 1893 as a bank, it's most recently been home to Keystone Soundworks, but this 3-bed/3-bath, 9,300 sqft spot could be your home for $1.07M.
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
This has been listed for a minute, but it's still one of the coolest places I can remember seeing: 4900 Longshore Ave. in Tacony.
Built in 1893 as a bank, it's most recently been home to Keystone Soundworks, but this 3-bed/3-bath, 9,300 sqft spot could be your home for $1.07M.
Built in 1893 as a bank, it's most recently been home to Keystone Soundworks, but this 3-bed/3-bath, 9,300 sqft spot could be your home for $1.07M.
Ten units are coming to the Swartz Building at 1108 Chestnut St. in Market East. This site had a long commercial history (including being the original home to Stetson) before permits were issued for a residential update.
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/weekend-qu...
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/weekend-qu...
November 8, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Ten units are coming to the Swartz Building at 1108 Chestnut St. in Market East. This site had a long commercial history (including being the original home to Stetson) before permits were issued for a residential update.
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/weekend-qu...
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/weekend-qu...
Did you know that classic cowboy brand Stetson was started in Philly? The company was making up to 3 million hats per year at their massive manufacturing complex near 4th & Montgomery Ave. Sadly, the incredible buildings are long gone, though vestiges of the layout still remain.
November 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Did you know that classic cowboy brand Stetson was started in Philly? The company was making up to 3 million hats per year at their massive manufacturing complex near 4th & Montgomery Ave. Sadly, the incredible buildings are long gone, though vestiges of the layout still remain.
Two Tun Tavern proposals are in the works just around the corner from each other in Old City. They're both hosting soft-launch events on Monday, Nov. 10th at the same time, so we explore the history, architecture, and drama of these competing projects.
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/two-tuns-o...
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/two-tuns-o...
November 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Two Tun Tavern proposals are in the works just around the corner from each other in Old City. They're both hosting soft-launch events on Monday, Nov. 10th at the same time, so we explore the history, architecture, and drama of these competing projects.
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/two-tuns-o...
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/two-tuns-o...
Some recent thoughts on what the future of Market East should look like.
To the city: my consulting fees would be wildly competitive if you're looking to bring on someone who actually uses/cares about the area in question 😇
To the city: my consulting fees would be wildly competitive if you're looking to bring on someone who actually uses/cares about the area in question 😇
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Some recent thoughts on what the future of Market East should look like.
To the city: my consulting fees would be wildly competitive if you're looking to bring on someone who actually uses/cares about the area in question 😇
To the city: my consulting fees would be wildly competitive if you're looking to bring on someone who actually uses/cares about the area in question 😇
Landscaping is going in at a revamped Thomas Paine Plaza in Center City. Plans call for greater accessibility and the return of multi-purpose hardscaping so that this can remain a skateboarding spot moving forward. Photo courtesy of an intrepid friend of the bolg [sic].
November 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Landscaping is going in at a revamped Thomas Paine Plaza in Center City. Plans call for greater accessibility and the return of multi-purpose hardscaping so that this can remain a skateboarding spot moving forward. Photo courtesy of an intrepid friend of the bolg [sic].
Moody views from a rainy night on South Broad St.
November 4, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Moody views from a rainy night on South Broad St.
Old City update: The empty lot at 239 Chestnut St. is still for sale (now for $1.3M) and permits indicate the site will be totally cleared and backfilled - what the hell is going on with this prime development spot? More background in the quoted article.
November 3, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Old City update: The empty lot at 239 Chestnut St. is still for sale (now for $1.3M) and permits indicate the site will be totally cleared and backfilled - what the hell is going on with this prime development spot? More background in the quoted article.
1734-36 E. Passyunk Ave., home to Marra's, is currently under contract (listed for $2M). This classic Italian restaurant has been around since 1927, so we hope the buyer keeps the old school charm; it would be a shame to see this go.
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
1734-36 E. Passyunk Ave., home to Marra's, is currently under contract (listed for $2M). This classic Italian restaurant has been around since 1927, so we hope the buyer keeps the old school charm; it would be a shame to see this go.
More info below!
October 30, 2025 at 11:28 PM
More info below!
The building that's home to Locust Bar at 10th & Locust is for sale. The bar shouldn't be going anywhere, but the building - along with its six units - just hit the market in Washington Square West. This spot has served as a bar since the 1950s. It could be yours for $1.9 million.
October 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The building that's home to Locust Bar at 10th & Locust is for sale. The bar shouldn't be going anywhere, but the building - along with its six units - just hit the market in Washington Square West. This spot has served as a bar since the 1950s. It could be yours for $1.9 million.
Artist studios & a restaurant are planned for the gorgeous old church at 18th & Tasker in Point Breeze. The property was just historically designated, and zoning permits hint at what's ahead for this beautiful building, which has stunning interiors.
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/restaurant...
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/restaurant...
October 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Artist studios & a restaurant are planned for the gorgeous old church at 18th & Tasker in Point Breeze. The property was just historically designated, and zoning permits hint at what's ahead for this beautiful building, which has stunning interiors.
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/restaurant...
jackphillyre.substack.com/p/restaurant...