W
hen Macy's announced its departure from the historic Wanamaker Building, questions swirled about the iconic property's future. Now, a New York developer has won full control of the building at a foreclosure auction and plans to transform it into hundreds of apartments.
TF Cornerstone, the developer, aims to turn the Wanamaker into a mixed-use building with retail spaces, office floors, and 600 loft-style apartments. The building spans over 2 million square feet, including a parking garage, and is currently mostly vacant office space. TF Cornerstone claims it can add homes without substantially demolishing the interior by creating deep apartments with limited natural light.
The developer has experience building similar apartments in New York City. However, the Wanamaker poses unique challenges due to its historic nature. Keep reading for more on how the developers plan to revamp the space and address these challenges.
In other news, a jury awarded millions of dollars to three Chester County families who sued their homebuilder over construction defects. The homeowners discovered water damage and mold in their homes after buying them for between $600,000 and $800,000.
The builder, Southdown Homes, was accused of negligence, misrepresentation, breach of contract, and consumer law violations. A jury sided with the homeowners, awarding them millions of dollars. This case is part of a larger batch of lawsuits against the builder.
Struggling Philly renters are getting more assistance thanks to two bills passed by City Council. A 19th-century Main Line cottage is on the market for $1.8 million, and a West Philly affordable housing project is being held up over concerns about drug treatment.
In other local news, Ikea has opened a smaller store in Cherry Hill, and a six-bedroom twin in Germantown is available for $469,900. A West Philly homeowner, Sharmin Hossain, designed her rowhouse with inspiration from her travels and heritage, creating a vibrant and exhilarating living space.
A photo quiz asks readers to identify the location of a Philadelphia landmark, and a home tour showcases Hossain's colorful and textured interior design.
