West Philadelphia will soon have a new hotel to call its own — both to the praise and annoyance of its residents.
The Hilton Homewood Suites Extended Stay Hotel broke ground on Dec. 8, 2010, and will stand tall at eleven stories high.
According to a press release from the Brownstein group — Campus Apartment’s communications firm — the hotel will encompass 110,000 square feet and consist of 136 suites. Each suite will have a full kitchen, dining table and complimentary phone and Internet access.
Additional amenities include complimentary breakfast, a concierge, shuttle services, a fitness center and an indoor pool.
However, opposition to the hotel’s construction in the residential Spruce Hill community has been voiced since 2008. Spruce Hill resident Chris O’Donnell urged to oppose the project in a February Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, whose approval was needed to begin construction.
Despite a recommendation from the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to approve the project on Sept. 16, 2008 and a $2 million loan from the state, neighbors testifying in front of the ZBA held up its approval.
In October 2009, the site of the hotel moved from 40th and Pine streets to 41st and Walnut streets, but the complaints have not quite stopped.
On Nov. 19, 2010, The Philadelphia Brownstoner blogged regarding the demolition of a “gorgeous townhouse at 4107 Walnut Street” to make way for the new hotel.
The project costs approximately $50 million but is highly subsidized. It receives funding through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, The Reinvestment Fund, US Bank Community Development Corporation and Beneficial Bank.
The eco-friendly hotel is the flagship commercial project for Philadelphia’s EnergyWorks program, a fund that provides low-interest loans to finance sustainable building and redevelopment.
