Proposed development would mean big change at Italian Market

Three years ago, Midwood Management of New York had proposed a 32,000-square-foot retail center for a large lot it owned at the corner of 9th Street and Washington Avenue in the Italian Market of Philadelphia.

The project would have been the first new addition of its size to the South Philadelphia open market in recent memory. Those plans have now dramatically changed although the significance of what is now being proposed isn’t any less.

Midwood is now proposing to construct a five-story, mixed-use development that would include 70 apartments, 18,000 square feet of street-level retail that would front Washington Avenue and wrap around 9th street, and underground parking with 150 spaces.

As part of its plans, Midwood would also construct eight row houses along Darien Street that would be reminiscent of the traditional three-story trinities found throughout Philadelphia. Those would be put up for sale.

Peter F. Kelsen, an attorney with Blank Rome who represents Midwood, presented the plans last night to South Philadelphia community groups.

The site, which totals 32,000 square feet, is where the former American Ice and Coal House once was located, but is now a vacant lot.

Kelsen said he is seeking to get the property rezoned to allow for the scale and scope of what is being proposed. He is hopeful that legislation will be introduced to City Council next month that would facilitate that change and allow the project to receive approval by year's end, allowing for construction to begin soon after.

Midwood has retail holdings throughout Center City. It is the developer that constructed the building at 15th and Walnut streets where the new Cheesecake Factory opened.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal