I
s downtown Philadelphia in need of a makeover? Center City shows signs of life—population and foot traffic are up post‑COVID—but office vacancies remain high, and the east side of Market Street struggles to attract tenants. The Sixers arena U‑turn left a development void. One solution: convert old office buildings into housing, a strategy the city supports with flexible zoning. We’ll hear from a developer who has tackled such projects and from Prema Katari Gupta, CEO of the Center City District, about the hurdles and prospects for American downtowns. Why are new residents flocking to Center City, and what’s holding back further growth—quality‑of‑life concerns or construction costs? We’ll also explore what a thriving downtown would look like if office demand permanently declines. Guests: Prema Katari Gupta, President & CEO of the Center City District; Mark Cartella, SVP of Development & Construction, Alterra Property Group. WHYY delivers fact‑based journalism. Support us or sign up for our weekly newsletter.