Center City
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Philadelphia’s Braithwaite Communications Acquired By Atlanta-Based Arketi Group in Major PR Deal
Braithwaite Communications, a longtime Philadelphia-based public relations and marketing agency, has officially been acquired by Atlanta-based Arketi Group, writes Jeff Blumenthal for the Philadelphia Business Journal. This acquisition marks a significant shift in Philadelphia’s communications landscape. Founded in 1998 by Hugh and Carolyn Braithwaite, the firm has built a reputation in Philadelphia for strategic storytelling,…
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Historic Boyd Theatre Marquee At Risk As Owner Seeks to Modernize Philadelphia Landmark
The Boyd Theatre has survived closure, a preservation battle, and the demolition of most of its auditorium, but now its iconic marquee may be next to go. Pearl Properties, which owns Philadelphia’s last great downtown movie palace, wants to remove the theater-style marquee and modernize the recessed storefront, writes Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer.…
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French Food Giant Bonduelle Americas Chooses Philadelphia for New Growth Hub
French food giant Bonduelle Americas has chosen to plant roots in Philadelphia, betting that the city has what it takes to fuel its American ambitions in the booming plant-based food market, writes Paul Schwedelson for the Philadelphia Business Journal. Philadelphia was ultimately chosen as the destination for its new growth hub after evaluating more than…
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Chubb’s New $380 Million Center City Office Tower Is Redefining the Future of Office Work
Chubb’s new 348,000-square-foot tower at 2000 Arch Street represents more than just a new headquarters, but rather offers a glimpse into the future of Philadelphia’s office market and Center City development, writes Paul Schwedelson for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The 18-story, LEED Platinum-certified tower is part of a roughly $380 million investment that will bring…
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Philadelphia Travelers, Community Members React to Intercity Bus Station Reopening
Philadelphia has opened its new intercity bus station, and while most of the reactions are positive, that isn’t necessarily the case for all, write Meir Rinde for Billy Penn at WHYY. Chris Herald, who often rides Greyhound and Flixbus to visit family in northern New Jersey, is pleased by the bus station’s opening He praises…
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Center City Remains Popular Residential Neighborhood and Jobs Hub, While Other Challenges Persist
While Center City Philadelphia is still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, its recovery is further along than many other American downtowns because of its booming residential population, writes Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The booming residential population is a big help, as the area’s foot traffic is still about 80 percent of…
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Center City Retail Rebounds, But Still Short of Pre-Pandemic Peak
Vacant retail spaces in Center City have declined in recent months, but occupancy still remains below the pre-pandemic peak in 2019, writes Ariana Perez-Castells for The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to a new survey released by Center City District, 84.2 percent of retail spaces in Center City are currently filled, an improvement from six months ago…
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One of Nation’s Largest Search Firms Acquires Philadelphia-Based Howard Fischer Associates
Howard Fischer Associates, a Philadelphia executive search firm, has been acquired by executive search firm giant ZRG, writes Jeff Blumenthal for the Philadelphia Business Journal. According to founder and CEO Howard Fischer, while he wasn’t necessarily looking to sell, when taking into account his business plan for the future, the firm saw a need to…
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Iron Hill Brewery Location in Center City Set for April 19 Reopening
Iron Hill Brewery is getting back on its feet just seven months after filing for bankruptcy and abruptly closing all its locations, as its first reopening is just days away, writes Erin McCarthy for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The location on Market Street in Center City is set to reopen at noon on Sunday, April 19.…
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Thena Hotel in Center City Goes Up for Sale
Thena Hotel, a boutique property in Center City, has been put up for sale with an asking price listed at $2.62 million, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal. Currently owned by RTE Properties, this is the first time the hotel has been put up for sale since the Philadelphia-based firm acquired it for…
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Drexel’s Center City Medical Office Building Could Become 90 Apartments Under New Owner
Drexel University has a deal in place to sell a Center City medical office building that already has permits approved for conversion into apartments, writes Ryan Mulligan for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The Arnold T. Berman Building is already under agreement, according to a Drexel spokesperson, although the university did not provide any further details.…
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WSJ: Philadelphia Startup Raises $30M Towards Mission to Transform Rail Industry
Philadelphia startup Voltify, which was founded on the vision of transforming the rail industry by decarbonizing it, has raised $30 million in seed funding towards that mission, writes Rhiannon Hoyle for The Wall Street Journal. With the new funding, the startup will be able to conduct a paid pilot with a Class 1 railroad to…
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Center City Development Pipeline Rebounds with Focus on Housing, Creative Spaces
The 2026 Center City Real Estate Development Report shows that the development pipeline has bounced back, by focusing on residential and creative developments, with over $2.14 billion in major projects that are either finished or currently under construction, writes Tom MacDonald for WHYY. These recent projects have already added more than 500,000 square feet of…
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Two Philadelphia Firms to Merge, Deal Expected to Help Each Expand and Integrate Portfolios
Philadelphia firms Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy and Athena Global Advisors, respectively, are set to merge, writes Jeff Blumenthal for the Philadelphia Business Journal. Both firms are in the belief that the merger will help each expand and integrate their portfolios of client services moving forward. As a result of the merger, Athena, a marketing…
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After Sonder’s Collapse, Witherspoon Building Returns to Long-Term Rentals
The 186-unit Witherspoon Building has transitioned from short-term rentals into a more traditional leasing model following the sudden collapse of Sonder Holdings, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal. SSH Real Estate, which owns the Center City building in partnership with Young Capital, is now repositioning the property as a traditional rental asset. According…
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Comcast Nears $117.5M Settlement Deal in Yearslong Data Breach Lawsuit Proceedings
Comcast has reached a $117.5 million deal to settle 24 class-action lawsuits stemming from a 2023 data breach that might have impacted more than 30 million customers, writes Abraham Gutman for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The agreement received preliminary approval from a federal judge earlier this month. If the current terms of the agreement gets fully…
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Four Seasons Philadelphia Unveils New $25K-Per-Night Sky Garden Penthouse Suite
Four Seasons Philadelphia at the Comcast Technology Center has unveiled a new collection of rooms on the 45th floor, including a Sky Garden penthouse suite that is priced at $25,000 per night, writes Michael Tanenbaum for PhillyVoice. In addition to the 4,000-square-foot penthouse suite with a private terrace, the Sky Garden features four guest rooms…
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Center City’s Largest Apartment Tower Goes Up for Sale Again After 4 Years
Center City’s largest apartment tower, on 1500 Locust Street, is back on the market four years after it was last traded, writes Paul Schwedelson for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The 605-unit, 45-story building was acquired by New York real estate firm Fairstead and Minneapolis investment company Castlelake for $233 million back in December 2021. It…









































