Posts By: WCRE

Wanamaker Building Set for Residential Conversion After Foreclosure

Wanamaker Building Set for Residential Conversion After Foreclosure

New York developer TF Cornerstone is expected to convert the office portion of the historic Wanamaker Building into residential units after completing foreclosure proceedings, according to a source familiar with the plans. Foreclosure on the 1.4 million-square-foot Center City property is set to progress early next year. TF Cornerstone, which acquired the majority of the… Read more »

Vacant Office Space is Costing Philadelphia Millions

Vacant Office Space is Costing Philadelphia Millions

Office vacancy rates have hit a 45-year high, with predictions that one-quarter of U.S. office space could sit empty by early 2026. Currently, 11 major metros face over $1 billion in empty office space. Philadelphia, while just below this threshold, saw 27.6 million square feet of vacant office space mid-year, translating to an estimated $801… Read more »

$21M Bala Cynwyd Site Sale Clears Path for Apartment Development

$21M sale of Bala Cynwyd site paves way for apartment development

Plans to build over 400 apartments near City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd are advancing on the grounds of a recently cleared former office building. Houston-based developer Hanover Co. acquired the 8.5-acre property at 111 Presidential Blvd. for $21.3 million from Amerimar Realty Co., as confirmed by Montgomery County property records. The Bala Pointe Office Center,… Read more »

Brandywine CEO: ‘Greed Will Overtake Fear’ in Office Sales

Brandywine CEO: 'Greed Will Overtake Fear' in Office Sales

Brandywine Realty Trust CEO Jerry Sweeney anticipates a rebound in office sales by 2025 as interest rates stabilize or decline, improving access to capital. Speaking at the Urban Land Institute’s 2025 Real Estate Forecast at the Bellevue Hotel, Sweeney noted that office transaction volumes remain historically low, at just 30% to 40% of typical levels…. Read more »

Polsinelli Expands Office Space in Center City

Polsinelli Expands Office Space in Center City

Law firm Polsinelli, which expanded into the Philadelphia market earlier this year by hiring 35 local lawyers from Holland & Knight, has signed a long-term lease for two floors at Three Logan Square. The firm will occupy the 11th and 12th floors, totaling 40,790 square feet, and plans to move in next summer. Currently with… Read more »

Philadelphia Office Sublet Space Declines as Tenants Return Less Space

Philadelphia Office Sublet Space Declines as Tenants Return Less Space

After seven years of rising office sublease availability, Philadelphia’s office market shows signs of recovery. By late 2024, the proportion of sublet space in the total available inventory dropped to 15.1%, down from a peak of 16.8% in mid-2023. This marks a shift after years of increasing sublet availability, indicating that the worst of the… Read more »

Can Wells Fargo’s Former Market Street Office Building Survive and Adapt?

Can Wells Fargo's Former Market Street Office Building Survive and Adapt?

Just over a month ago, 401 Market St. appeared rock-solid on paper: the 484,643-square-foot building was fully leased, generating record revenue and strong cash flow, with a mortgage in good standing and over a year left before maturity. But in October, Wells Fargo’s lease on 349,770 square feet expired, dropping occupancy from 100% to 28%… Read more »

Goodwin Moves in as the First Tenant at 3025 JFK Ahead of Hiring Season

Goodwin Moves in as the First Tenant at 3025 JFK Ahead of Hiring Season

Boston-based megafirm Goodwin Procter has become the first tenant in Brandywine Realty Trust’s new office tower at 3025 JFK Blvd, moving in just over 18 months after entering the Philadelphia market. Last week, the firm took 31,000 square feet on a 12.5-year lease, occupying the 8th floor and part of the 7th, with space for… Read more »

University of the Arts Real Estate Listed as ‘Generational Opportunity

University of the Arts Real Estate Listed as 'Generational Opportunity

The University of the Arts’ prime Center City real estate portfolio, totaling 760,000 square feet across nine buildings, has officially hit the market as part of the school’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Many of these historic properties are in high-profile locations around South Broad Street. Appointed by U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, JLL is marketing… Read more »

Philadelphia REIT Poised for Post-Pandemic Office Leasing Rebound as Demand Picks Up

Philadelphia REIT Poised for Post-Pandemic Office Leasing Rebound as Demand Picks Up

Office landlords nationwide continue to face numerous challenges in the post-pandemic recovery, yet one Philadelphia developer is finding renewed optimism with a gradual rise in leasing activity. Brandywine Realty Trust, a Philadelphia-based REIT, reports increased touring and leasing across its U.S. office portfolio as companies regain confidence in expanding their real estate presence. CEO Jerry… Read more »