Construction on Rodin Square Could Start Around Labor Day

Who's ready for the new Whole Foods near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway? A recent tweet suggests that a deal has been finalized to purchase the Best Western Hotel, which currently occupies the property at 22nd and Spring Garden Street, and will soon become home to Rodin Square, a luxury apartment complex anchored by a massive Whole Foods. We've also heard from a source that construction could begin around Labor Day.

Best Western purchase finalized. Paves way for Rodin Square http://t.co/9WcFwS8aco

— Bill Kilrain (@Bill_Kilrain) July 8, 2014

The plans call for 293 luxury apartments to sit above the new 60,000 square foot Whole Foods. The roof terrace above the Whole Foods will be oriented towards the Parkway and feature a swimming pool offering a beautifully landscaped environment. Residents and shoppers will split the 500 parking spots, some of which will be located in an underground parking garage. After the project was approved by the ZBA in October, Architect Jim Volsky likened the area to "Philadelphia's Central Park West." Or, as we like to call it in Philadelphia, the Ben Franklin Parkway. The estimated cost of the project was reported at $140 million in October of last year and construction is expected to take two years.
· $140M Philly Whole Foods Project Clears Final Hurdles [Law 360]
· Planning Commission recommends zoning approvals for new Whole Foods [Plan Philly]
· Rodin Square [Intech Construction]
· City Planning Commission Says Yes to a New Whole Foods [Curbed Philly]