Philly’s Cheesecake Factory Monstrosity Officially On Its Way

Center City, you’re one step closer to achieving the sterility plaguing most other metropolitan downtowns. This week, the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a developer’s plans to demolish the wraparound 2-story retail space on Walnut and 15th and replace it with a glass box featuring a Cheesecake Factory. And if we’re lucky, a Uniqlo. It’ll join an Applebee’s and Max Brenner (Bald Man) Chocolates on S. 15th’s 200 block. Making this little stretch of street “KOP on 15th” as City Paper’s Dan Denvir quipped in a tweet. You can get your damn cheesecake in fall 2014, probably. [Philadelphia Real Estate Blog]

Food Scene, New Construction, Real Estate

SteveJay2012

This snotty, elitist post is precisely what is wrong with Philadelphia. Instead of welcoming development, the city and its residents snub it. You (and I) may not be fans of the Cheesecake Factory, but millions of people are. Adding one to Center City INCREASES the area’s appeal. Rather than just a bank at the corner, soon there will a bank AND a restaurant AND a clothing store. For once it would be nice for someone in this town to actually welcome efforts to improve it. You might not like this chain, but given that there aren’t any of its branches downtown now, its arrival actually brings a unique NEW place to the city, just as much as any new ch-chi high-end cupcake parlor. It’s NOT a monstrosity at all.
http://www.facebook.com/clayfioravanti Clayton Fioravanti

I concur.. this is a elitist smart ass post.. Basically what you are saying is that no chain is good enough for Center City and the suburbanites should stay away..Sometimes visitors & tourists imagine that .. like some place familiar…perhaps Simon would rather have the corner rotting and empty then god forbid a new building and a chain restaurant go in there..Of course there was always the Halloween superstore that went in there.. perhaps thats more your liking.. The monstrosity is your attitude and your elitist position….
Faye

I agree that this is a snotty type post. I like the Cheesecake Factory and I think it will be a nice addition to Center City.
http://twitter.com/ericofthedead Eric

I’m no supporter of the cheesecake factory or gentrification, but to be honest adding some appeal that will bring people to visit center city (and spend their money) is not a bad thing! Relax, at least it’s not a Walmart

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Philly’s Cheesecake Factory Monstrosity Officially On Its Way

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