Welcome to L3 Loft, Philadelphia’s newest one-of-a-kind event space located in the heart of Center City, on 17th and Chestnut streets. The third-floor loft space offers unique views of Chestnut Street, along with two different banquet room options.

Located above the Indian Chinese-fusion restaurant, Inchin’s Bamboo Garden (1726 Chestnut Street) L3 Loft offers two rooms for you to choose from. Food can be from the on-site caterings services from the popular restaurant, Inchin’s Bamboo Garden, as well as the option to cater food from an outside restaurant or organization. I know this is a big selling point as readers ask me for recommendations like this all the time.

The two rooms to choose from our: North Room and South Room.
The North Room faces Chestnut Street and has seating for 10 to 20 people, the space is equipped with audio/ visual capabilities including a large-screen television and a state-of-the-art sound system.

The South Room is the perfect space for all of your big events. With seating for up to 35 people, the space is ideal for weddings, bridal showers, birthday parties, holiday parties, and corporate and networking events. The bi-level banquet room allows for a plethora of event configurations, allowing your vision for the event to come-to-life. The South Room is equipped with audio/visual capabilities including large-screen televisions and a state-of-the-art sound system. (source)

For more photos check out Philly Style Magazine and the L3 Loft Website
Plus I just saw on Meetup’s that every 3rd Wednesday there will be Board Game Night there. I’m going, hope to see you. (MeetUp) Thanks to Andre Flewellen for shooting this for PhillyChitChat.

On Thursday, July 25, 2019 Philadelphia Style Magazine’s hosted their 20th Anniversary Party for the popular tome at the Kimmel Center.

Publisher John Colabelli and Kristin Detterline, editor hosted the magazine’s annual “Best of Style” party for 1,200 guests.

Including friends, family, influencers, dignitaries and celebrities.

Rachel and John Paz with Sabrina Tamburino Thorne; (middle photo) Ben Drabinski, Jason Kravitz, Ryan Fuller and Can Boluk; Alex Holley, mom Sharyn Holley and David Alexander Jenkins; Vicki Pohl andHarry Spivak

Don and Renee Freeman, Freeman Interiors; The Fearless Restaurant Team representing Louie, Louie, Moshulu, and White Dog restaurants to name a few and Maria Elena Quattrone Real Estate Agent and Robert Molinaro Vice President, Chorus Communications.

Evan and Lynsie Solomon; Lindsey and Chuck Peruto; Charles Paloux and Nicole Paloux (Happy 10th Anniversary) Kim Adu and Bev McAvoy; Rosemary Connors and Wendy Warren, NBC10 Philadelphia

Sal D’angelo who has the best lasagna in town at D’Angelo’s on 20th Street near Rittenhouse Square with Donna Coghlan, join her tomorrow at the Nicole Miller Farewell Party at the Bellevue 5PM. Everything in the store is 50 – 75% off. (I met Donna and photographer Robert Mendelsohn the same day at an Alex’s Lemonade event at Osteria in 2008)

It’s been quite a loud secret these past few weeks as I’ve received so many tips and questions from folks wondering what is happening at the iconic Bellevue Hotel with the men in suits running around with their clip boards.

The Bellevue originally opened in 1904, as The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, and currently features a 172 room luxury hotel, Class A office space, a parking garage, sports club/fitness facility, retail stores including Nicole Miller, Williams-Sonoma, Teuscher ‘s Chocolates, The Walking Store and a ballroom/events center which recently unveiled it’s renovation grand ballroom this past year . The guest rooms underwent a renovation in recent years. And then the Rubin organization sold a large percentage of their company.

To Nightingale Properties who announced on their FB page in March: We are thrilled to announce that Nightingale Properties has partnered with the Rubin family in the ownership of The Bellevue…This acquisition is Nightingale’s fifth asset in the Philadelphia market, contributing to a collective total of nearly five million square feet. ~ And as I can see they’re solidly invested in Philly. (They also own 1835 Market Street, where a Planet Fitness is opening soon in the space once occupied by Weston Fitness, and 1635 Market St.) (Natalie Kostelni at Phila Biz Journal wrote a nice article on the Nightingale purchase of the Bellevue.)

Sources tell me that the new owners are eager to return the hotel to it’s majestic state with a grand lobby. This is a photo of the office tower lobby, and 19th floor restaurants. The hotel lobby is towards the left out of sight.

Next to the hotel lobby is the Nicole Miller store. Over the past few days Mary Dougherty , who owns and operates the Nicole Miller Philadelphia store at the Bellevue has notified her clients that this location, which she opened 22 years ago, is closing on July 31. Mary and her team are currently looking for another location in Center City, and will continue to operate her original store located in Manayunk. Plus she still serves a sizable still be able to service clients in their homes 215-930-0307. In the meantime Mary might also do Pop-up stores downtown, similar to another iconic former Center City shop Knit Wit, which was pushed out of it’s space for a fast food salad spot.

Coincidentally Nicole Miller is running their mid summer sale at both locations, and much of the clothing from spring and summer are between 50% and 75% off. You can also check out the Nicole Miller fall line which is in stores now.

As for the other stores at the Bellevue mum seems to be the word right now, but I did notice the food court has been closed lately, it only has about 5 spots left. Maybe Eataly would be perfect for this spot. BTW The Palm is running their lobster special through July 31. You just might catch Jason Segel dining besides you as he’s been spotted there recently. As for Mary and her team in Manyaunk, she says “Stay tuned for exciting upcoming new series of monthly gatherings focusing on fashion trends, health and wellness, and more for our amazing customers. Visit our website marykdougherty.com“

Oh what a weekend, sure it’s 100f but that’s unique. I hope you all went out and experienced it. It doesn’t happen often, and it’s the opposite of when dad would tell us when I was a kid the snow was up to here.

Big News out of the San Diego Comic Con this week. First DANAI GUIRAR who plays machette wielding  Michonne on WALKING DEAD just announced she was leaving after this season of the popular AMC TV series. Last year Andrew Lincoln, who played Rick left, and it was announced shortly after that he’d be starring in a series of WALKING DEAD MOVIES, which will only be released in movie theaters, first. Well at comic con they released a trailer for the movie, which hasn’t event started filming yet, I was screaming when I saw it as it played the creepy soundtrack to the show and zeroed in on a silhouette of the PHILADELPHIA SKYLINE, OMG.

My nephew Tim is going to freak out. Last year he and his mom, my sister, traveled to Georgia to check out the film set. He’s an uber fan. Hopefully it’s not like going to be partially filmed here like Shazam, which was released earlier this year. It was set in Philly but mostly filmed in Canada. The film production did spend a day in Philly getting background shots on the Art Museum steps, and a few other places. But lets cross our fingers this is not the case. I WANT TO BE A ZOMBIE EXTRA. As long as we have Sharon Pinkenson and her team at the Greater Philadelphia Film Office working hard to attract these films we’ll be ok says this paparazzi.

Speaking of AMC TV show, filming has finally begun for Dispatches From Elsewhere. I had a chance to observe filming on Tuesday as they filmed scenes on South Street. Jason Segel was filmed walking down the street
reading his phone, he steps in front of a car which stops suddenly avoiding hitting him. Surprisingly Jason did his own stunts, and the car was definitely going about 15 miles an hour. Then they headed to the Curtis Center where Jason filmed in the lobby to the delight of the tenants in the building. It’s my understanding that this will be “Jason’s” apartment building. Friday they filming in Old City and then headed to the streets near the Melrose Diner in South Philly. It was so hot out, and the poor guy had to endure the weather in his costume, the film must take place in the fall as he wears a black shirt and a black coat in all the scenes. DINING OUT: BTW Jason Segel’s dined at Pinefish at 12th and Pine, and The Palm in The Bellevue last week.

QU Japan Bistro & Bar is coming soon to Center City, where Potbelly used to be on 16th Street at 1635 16th Street. The closest one is located in KOP and has had rave reviews.

The former Cosi at 12th and Walnut looks like it’s found a tenant as a rumored Starbucks will be moving in. Yes I know there’s one across the street, but the much smaller one will be closing and employees and hopefully clientele will move in shortly.

On a sweltering Saturday afternoon in Wayne, Yards Brewery
and Black Powder Tavern teamed up to celebrate our nation’s independence while honoring the revolutionary history of the Tavern. That combination drew the faithful from the Main Line.
The event brought out dozens of guests of all ages in variations of red, white and blue and colonial period dress. Taking place on a patriotic patio, the event featured Yards on tap, patriotic
cocktails flowing, and the DJ was spinning beats from many eras of music and calling out historical trivia for guests to win giveaways from Yards. Ben Franklin and James Madison presented a recitation of the Declaration of Independence.

Wednesday night former Fox 29 anchor person, Lucy Noland (r) was honored at a reception at Barclay Prime with City Officials, former co-workers, friends and the many animal organizations she has worked with over the years. Here daughter Gable Noland was in attendance as well.

Lucy receiving a citation from the City, presented to her by Councilmen Allan Domb, Bobby Hennon, and Mark Squilla, with her friend Fox 29’s Thomas Drayton by her side for her animal advocacy work . 2nd photo Gabriel Noland, Lucy Noland, Susan Russell and former Gov Ed Rendell.

Sandy Boyle, Michelle Helms and Diana Bauer. 2nd photo: Geri Schaffer, Aladdin and Michelle Helms

Nicole Ennis, Kim Astringer, Anne Bono and Cheryl Bono

Congrats Fox 29’s Bill Anderson (l) for joining the ACCT Philly board!! Here with Rebecca Epting and Councilman Domb

Clare and Steve Morrison, Mac’s Fund – Look for Lucy to be a spokesperson for animals in the future.