New Space: BLDG39 Held A Fall Open House

October 21, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

Last week I checked out a new event space >> BLDG39 at the Arsenal which is a re-adaptive historical & industrial style event venue in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia. It is located right off i-95 only 15 minutes from Center City with ample parking for guests. BLDG39 hosted a Fall Open House for guests to experience tasty food selections, craft cocktails, and entertainment from their food partners, vendor partners, and local beverage partners. It was very easy to get to, and they really have a big parking lot right in front of the venue. The building was beautifully restored, with high ceilings, original brick, it was spacious and had garage doors to enjoy the outdoor space as well.

Look how pretty this is, there was even a circus performer hanging from the ceiling, a vendor which you could contract to appear at your event. It was really neat. The lighting and staging of the space. Definitely a unique space.

Josh Moore of Josh Eats Philly was ready to eat Bldg 39 at the Arsenal

Event spaces work with various vendors so they have just the right options for clients tastes. The vendors were on hand showcasing what they had to offer. I love a good table setting.

Depending on the style of event and seating arrangements, BLDG39 can accommodate up to 250 guests. BLDG39 was thoughtfully created to be both an event venue and a co-working commissary kitchen for local caterers and food trucks. These talented local caterers and food trucks are options for catering for BLDG39’s events.

Karen Kratchman-Gold, co-owner of Classic Cake and Kathy Bell, Director of Sales Classic Cake, tell me that their biggest selling cake is called the “Dr. J” cake, sour cream based pound cake with chocolate fudge. The 2nd best selling cake is their Carrot Cake. They’re one of my favorite cake stores, as the original store was located a few miles from where I grew up in Cherry Hill. They’re a vendor of BLDG39.

Darcy Hill, Gabby Forgione, Chef Ashley James, Managing Director of Culinary · Di Bruno Bros. and Jackie Grillo

The space is accommodating to food trucks as well

Amanda Bray, loved the space. It’s very unique and different. Lauren Hudnell says she loves the Rustic feel.

Jorge and Liz soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Pagan as they are getting married at BLDG39 next year. She found it on the internet, and loved what the space had to offer. The parking really clinched the deal as well.

To read more about this dynamic space BLDG39 head to Philadelphia Weddings. If you’re ready to create a great event for contact Classic Events by Lauren

Philadelphia, Real Estate, Uncategorized

First Look “2100 Model Residence Unveiling”

October 15, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

I’ve watched them build 2100 Hamilton as it’s only a few blocks from my house. They’ve done a great job, and it turned out so much more beautiful than I anticipated. Fits right into the neighborhood, which I can enjoy with the reflective glass, and bright sunny skies on those days.
Comprised of 27 exclusive residences and situated among the city’s finest museums, 2100 Hamilton offers a luxury lifestyle that is easy, effortless, and exciting close to shops, Fairmount Park and views of the City Skyline.

Last night there was a special unveiling of one of their 3 bedroom models for potential residents to get a sneak peek at what 2100 Hamilton has in store for them.

Did I mention spectacular views of the City Skyline

With a nearly half acre private residential garden, offers stunning city views and strikes the perfect balance of Center City living with the peace of a park-like setting.

Developer and friends Michael Scanapieco and Tom Scanapieco, with developers of this property Tom Bock and Angela Bock

Kerrie Owens and Ashley Holcombe Rachel Garman, and Brianna Minko

Paula Celletti-Baron shows Michelle Wenitsky ,Dani Kanak and Michelle Leff the living room over looking the Rodin Museum.

Matt Musill, Risk Management Consultant at Johnson, Kendall & Johnsoni, and Tom Bannar, Vice President | Risk Management Advisor | Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, Inc.

Kris Pirnat and Jamie Ireland John and Kelly Williams

Judy Munroe in the amenity filled kitchen. Highlights include an induction cooktop, quartz countertops, one-touch faucets, microwave drawers, over-counter lighting, an oversized wine refrigerator, and a separate expansive pantry as well as a selection of tasteful palettes to fit anyone’s personal style. Custom cabinetry by Joanne Hudson Kitchens and appliances by Wolf and Sub-Zero anchor the gourmet kitchen experience. 2100 Hamilton
Thanks to Andre Flewellen for photographing the Sneak Peek Preview as I was covering the Italian Medical Awards. More on that next week. Have a great weekend, and I will see you back here on Sunday for HughE Around Town!! Thanks as always, HughE

Philly To Do

Commonweal Art Gallery Opens In Philly

October 11, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

In the past few months people have been yearning to go out , and we here at Philly Chit Chat have been very busy photographing many of the hot and happening events. Thanks to team photographer Andre Flewellen for capturing the opening of Commonweal Art Gallery earlier this month. Let’s see who made left their leggings at home and came to check out this new art gallery.

The arts scene in Philadelphia continues to grow with the opening of Commonweal which happened October 1st, 2021. The gallery features emerging and mid-career Philadelphia artists and designers from across the city’s creative communities. The artists for Commonweal’s inaugural program were chosen because their work focuses on social and cultural themes important to our city and its residents while remaining engaged with evolving national and global conversations. The works of featured designers form a capsule collection of objects exclusive to the gallery. The designers have engaged their material expertise to create an array of unique functional objects whose quality and thoughtfulness are intended to enrich their user’s daily experience through their use.

Photo on Right: Caitlin Clark, Alec Conner, Owner of Commonweal Gallery and Priyanka Setty

Kate Marlys, Philly PR Girl and Andrianna Acosta check out the art at Commonweal Gallery located at 1607 Latimer Street, 19103 featuring feature G. Farrel Kellum and Warith Taha

Sitting Pretty: Gabrielle Ochoco, and Sabir Peele, Men Style Pro

Alec Conner, chats with creators Dan Tague, multi-media artist and Olivia Verdugo, Founder and Designer at C R U S H

October featured designer is C R U S H studio, an ongoing materials collaboration between Jenna Robb and Olivia Verdugo. They have created the Grounding Cushion, an object that is intended to reduce stress and refocus on the present moment through touch, for the gallery’s capsule design collection.

Making the scene is Ian Michael Crumm, and Toni Leslie, who had stepped away for a bit to explore lives other offerings, but the pandemic has brought them back to the Philly scene . I have a feeling we’ll see more of these two creatives in the near future. Plus Happy Birthday this week Ian!!

For more information, you can also follow Commonweal on their Instagram and Facebook pages. For press inquiries and/or media requests, please contact Katerina@PhillyPRGirl.com.

Uncategorized

Sora Pool Club Celebrates Summer

August 4, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

Today is almost like a reset for summer, it’s a cloudy, dreary day in the middle of the summer, a perfect day to celebrate the summer pool party I photographed a few weeks ago at the Sora Pool Club at Presidential City . The Post Brothers Presidential City apartment complex has always been one of my favorites. It’s in the City, not in congested Center City, but on the edge of Fairmount Park and MLK drive and 76, for quick access downtown. PLUS it’s the complex is in a park like setting, probably good bird watching too, A sprawling property resort, with a magnificent gym, spa, three distinct pools: a 75-foot lap pool for swimming, a central lounge pool that features both partly immersed lounge chairs and a dry seating enclosure, and a kid-friendly wading pool. There are also dog exercise tracks, a Zen garden, cabanas, poolside chaise lounges with complimentary towel service, several lounge seating areas, two hot tubs and two outdoor kitchens, each with four grilling stations.

This year, is a special year we’re all experiencing together. I’ve covered the Sora Summer Pool Party before but this year was extra special, some of the people I met were experiencing their first time out, socializing in a year. Nearly every event I’ve been to I’ve noticed the joy!!

I’ve also noticed people wearing bright colors, which is a dream come true for me. If you’re a long time reader, you know I’ve been asking folks to bring the color, and after a year like 2020 people are ready to live in color!!

The Post Brothers were really visionaries in their developments, with creating a fun, resort, atmosphere targeting a younger audience with community rooms, game rooms, and everyone one of their properties has a magnificent pool, most with multiple pools like this one, the one at the Piazza, and their new spot The Popular, which is a salt water pool as well.

This years theme for the Sora Summer party was “Hang Ten”, as in chillax here at Sora pool, it’s a relaxing vibe, says Kate Marlys, Philly Pr Girl, and the Post Brothers PR told me as she gave me a tour around the property.

Presidential City is accepting new residents, here’s where to go to get some INFO It’s not supposed to rain today, and with temps in the 70s, it’s definitely a good day for a walk around the block. See you tomorrow here!! Thanks so much for subscribing to PhillyChitChat, I see since June 1st we’ve gotten another 1,000 subscribers. I really appreciate you!!

Uncategorized

The Irvine Summer Soiree

July 1, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

Post Brothers recently turned the former Apple Storage warehouse on 52nd Street, a block and a half south of Baltimore Avenue, into a stylish apartment building with spacious apartments, a community room, and outdoor space called The Irvine Apartments.

Last week The Irvine Apartments hosted a celebration of summer party with cocktails, snacks, music, and succulents. The beautifully renovated building has 153 studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 430 to 1,340 square feet and is dog and cat friendly.

Dana Moore, Bailey Welsh, and Jada Weaver

The outdoor space features grilling stations, a large dining table, and raised berms that double as chaise lounges of sorts. There’s a small dog park and plenty of green space for residents to be able to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables in the outdoor terrace’s raised planting beds. The Irvine Apartments are waiting for your call. Thanks to Talya Hailey for shooting this for PhillyChitChat/HughE Dillon LLC

Uncategorized

First Look of Skyline From 28th Floor of Luxurious Living ArtHaus

February 18, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

Philadelphians were invited to an open-air performance Serenade on the Avenue held Saturday Valentine’s Day eve and were invited to see raw space on the 28th floor of the new condo/apartment building in Center City under construction ArtHaus.

The 47-story, 524-foot-high tower at Broad and Spruce Streets whose tag line, “live at the intersection of art and beauty” .

The Broad and Spruce Street tower will stand 47 stories and host 108 balconied condominiums with beautiful views of Philadelphia, that will range in price from $2 million to more than $10 million,

Last fall Carl Dranoff, CEO of Dranoff Properties and Developer of Arthaus told Metro Philly, “I thought our giant construction site could somehow be retrofitted to bring about an outdoor performance like the Greeks did with their amphitheaters.” Serenade on the Avenue debuted last September from a temporary stage facing City Hall on the 7th floor of the Arthaus construction site across from the Kimmel Center, for three special concerts.

Audience members lined the streets, some had heard about it through social media and news posts, others were just passing by.

It became a Wednesday night tradition for three consecutive weeks.

On Saturday as well as last fall, all the musicians were coordinated by AJ Luca, a faculty instructor at University of the Arts and a performer herself along with alumni, who performed love songs from Frank Sinatra, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Henry Mancini from the 7th-floor pop-up stage at Arthaus in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

After Saturday’s concert we were invited upstairs to enjoy the views from the 28th Floor.

The first residents are scheduled to move into Arthaus February 2022.

Philadelphia

What $1,250,000 Buys in Ambler – Photos of a Property I Shot

February 15, 2018 by HughE Dillon

What $1,250,000 Buys in Ambler – Photos of a Property I Shot

Michelle Leonard CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold hires me to photograph her real estate properties.

Last month I photographed a beautiful house in Ambler, PA which has 5 beds 3 baths 2 half baths 5,781 sq. ft.

The property sits on nearly an acre and a half

Living room

Family Room
Love this view
Open kitchen with bay window looking out on the backyard
Who doesn’t love a 4 post bed, bed doesn’t come with property, but who wouldn’t want one?
I’d like to vacation in this tub
Gorgeous floor
Living Room

Three car garage. Head on over to the listing for more photos and info on the property.

Philadelphia

The Bourse Marketplace Retains It’s Charm as it Renovates It’s Food Hall

October 24, 2017 by HughE Dillon

The Bourse Marketplace Retains It’s Charm as it Renovates It’s Food Hall

As the City moves forward, a few of our historic business are heading in the director of new and prettier too while keeping it’s historic charm. One of those places is the popular tourist spot -The Bourse, overlooking Independence Hall.

Charm (Common creative use)

The Philadelphia Bourse was a commodities exchange founded in 1891 by George E. Bartol, a grain and commodities exporter, who modeled it after the Bourse in Hamburg, Germany. The steel-framed building – one of the first to be constructed – was built from 1893 to 1895, and was designed by G. W. & W. D. Hewitt in the Beaux-Arts style.[1] Carlisle redstone, Pompeian buff brick and terra cotta were all used in the facade. The Bourse stopped functioning as a commodities exchange in the 1960s. The structure continued to serve as an office building until 1979 when the trading space adaptively reused the space a food court.

Fast forward to 2017 and the Bourse is undergoing another transformation – to the tune of $40 million, one which will continue as a hub for tourists in the Historic Philly area, as well as office workers and locals, but as a serious food and beverage hall with 27 new vendors.

Earlier this month a press conference was held to showcase the changes as well as introduce a few of the new tenants

Anney Thomas, Chaat and Chai

Chaat and Chai closed their South Philly storefront over the summer but the restaurant will reopen at The Bourse; Bluebird Distilling plans to open a full service bar at The Bourse, currently at the Shops of Liberty Place they have a tasting room; Chef Sylva Senat of Maison 208 is opening Baby Buns, named for what his daughter calls sliders. Pasta makers Vera Pasta plan to serve lunch option, they had samples at the press conference which were delicious. Olive with a Twist, which sells olive oils, balsamic vinegars, jams, and other gourmet pantry items,

Whenever I’m down in Old City and just want to chill, the Bourse was always my go to spot. Plus I liked the various vendors and postcard shops. It was a great hideaway with minimum offers, and now it’s going to have a better selection of food and shops.

Philadelphia Marathon 11/17 – 11/19

Think Seattle Marketplace, wouldn’t it be great if someone tossed a few fish? Updates
MRP Realty, in conjunction with Cana Development, will bring an array of artisanal vendors, as
well as established Philadelphia businesses, to Old City’s The Bourse, one of the city’s most
iconic buildings. Upon opening, The Bourse Marketplace will offer visitors and locals 27 high-
quality businesses under one roof, in addition to four anchor tenants in the building’s four
corners.

Matt Holman, Chanan Delivuk, and Thomas Foley, Sedso Design

Jeffrey Yau, Annie Jiropatnakul, Marissa Taffer and Jim DePhillip

Updates

Job Itzkowitz, Executive Director of Old City District, Kate McGlinchey, Brett Mapp, Old City, and Gabriella Sacidor

Laura Burkhardt, Visit Philly

Chocodiem, a Belgian-style chocolate shop will be at the new The Bourse Marketplace

Punch Media PR team handing out gift bags featuring a few of the products soon to be sold at the Bourse, in Spring 2018

Philadelphia

EFFEN CCD SIPS Starts 6/7/17 – Pixs from Fashionable Kick Off Party

June 5, 2017 by HughE Dillon

EFFEN CCD SIPS Starts 6/7/17 – Pixs from Fashionable Kick Off Party

Center City SIPS kicks off on Wednesday 6/7/17, and happens every Wednesday after that from — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — until the end of summer. Dozens of establishments offer $3 beer, $4 wine and $5 cocktails (expect sponsor Effen Vodka to appear in many of the bar creations) and half priced appetizers.

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Mike (Alex & Mike), Davida (@vidafashionista ) and Alex (@alexandmike)

New this year Fashionable SIPS with ambassadors – Before happy hour, shop the stores participating in CCD Sips Style for deals on clothes, beauty goods and more. I said to my friend do people really put a lot of thought into what they wear to SIPS, after all it’s a work day and they’re coming from the office. Miss B Where said, YES people do care. On Wednesday’s everyone is probably going to look a little bit more sharper in the sometimes drab office setting.

SIPS

All summer long. Wednesdays from 5-7 pm. Participating bars and restaurants are offering $5 cocktails, $4 wine, $3 beer and half-priced appetizers. Check out our list of participants.

Follow us on Twitter for updates- @CCDSips.

Each week, snap a pic of your Sips look, post to Instagram and tag @ShopCenterCity #CCDSipsStyle for your chance to win a Center City shopping spree!

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Sofia and Alyssa of Cashman & Associates SIPS

Take Lyft to Center City SIPS SIPS The Dilworth Park Café provides a Center City oasis with outdoor seating, $3 beer, $4 wine and $5 Effen cocktails, along with a DJ each week to get you in the mood to groove. SIPS
James Restaurant at 1835 Arch Street is participating in SIPS> Have you had their James Burger Yet?

http://jamesphiladelphia.com/
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Models wearing sponsor threads: South Moon Under, Banana Republic Factory Store, Fleur De Lis Boutique and Kimberly Boutique SIPS

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Besties with matching sandals
CENTER CITY SIPS info

Philadelphia

Newbold’s South Philly Sausage Fest Was Hotter Than Ever This Year

September 19, 2016 by HughE Dillon

The weather is getting cooler, ok it’s supposed to be getting cooler, and the fall festivals are heating up. Last week were two major festivals – GreenFest on South Street last Sunday and The Sausage Fest on Passyunk above Broad Street last Saturday, September 10. I covered them both.

Sausage

Mother Nature was anything but kind to us last Saturday as the temperatures hovered near 100F, but that didn’t stop the hundreds of sausage fans that turned out to enjoy delicious links, music, mingling and learn about the different community organizations that were on hand.

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The Newbold Community Development Corporation (CDC) South Philly SausageFest is a food and craft beer festival raising funds for the Newbold CDC’s Street Cleaning Program. This was the 2nd Annual event, and it’s sponsored by AFC Doctors Express Urgent Care, 1444 W Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, (Which I have been to several times over the past 3 years for aches and pains, and they’re quick and easy.)

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Tim Lidiak, President of NCDC and Jess Gould, Co-chair of South Philly SausageFest

Sausage

William Lindsay, Diana Zaccagnini and Michael Strauss reppin’ Mike’s BBQ. You know Tap Michael as one of the co-owners of Taproom on 19th in the Girard Estate neighborhood.

Sausage

Who were also on hand to rep their sausage sandwich with Jeff Gimbel, Sal Aversa (no relationship to Kory Aversa, Aversa Pr who was handling the publicity for Sausage Fest), and Peter Fry.

Sausage

The Volunteer Lounge, a lot of these folks also volunteer for their neighborhood organizations which all border each other.
Paul Knese, East Point Breeze Neighborhood, Paul Rossi, Girard Estate Neighbors Association, Stacey French, Newbold Civic Association, Jimmy Marshina, WPNA, and LuAnn Goodnoce, WPNA

Sausage

Vince Leuzzi, Bobby Powers of Mark Cement Contractors with Kory Warfield, who’s dad works at Mark’s

Sausage

Philadelphia author & reporter Thom Nickels, with Steve Laberty and Tom Hawthorn

Sausage

Christy Bracken-Vasquez, Carol De Fries, Vice President NCDC and Chad Colby

Sausage

Tricia Pinto , Carmen Kelly and Leslie Baechler of Vegan Commissary

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Grubhouse

Sausage

Shibe Vintage Sports

Sausage

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Sausage

Miranda Neill, Vicky Neill, Tom Staunton and Shrea Roundtree

Sausage

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Sausage

Newbold CDC is four city blocks wide and seven blocks long. It is bounded by Tasker Street to the north and Wolf Street to the south, Broad Street to the east, and 18th Street to the west.