An artist’s rendering of the Trolley Car Station restaurant from plans presented last spring to the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee.
Developers will soon break ground on a project that should transform the barren patch of concrete at the 40th Street trolley terminal into a landscaped public space complete with a 125-seat restaurant.
University City District officials promise it will be a more navigable public space for pedestrians. Complete with moveable tables and chairs, enough racks to accommodate 48 bikes and “vegetation everywhere,” the project was well received during public meetings and breezed through zoning approval last spring.
The centerpiece of the project will be the Trolley Car Station restaurant, a two-story restaurant that will be built in the grassy area bordering the portal along Baltimore Avenue. A company owned by real estate developer Ken Weinstein, which runs the Trolley Car Diner in Mount Airy, will operate the restaurant.
The restaurant will serve three meals a day and will likely be open seven days a week. It will also serve take-out beer, which was a point of contention during the zoning process. The beer selection will be upscale, Weinstein said, allowing customers to mix and match their own six packs.
“We’re not selling 40s,” Weinstein told the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning board last march.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6 at noon and will include Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and others.
November 28th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
This artistic rendering is just jaw dropping! Imagine that drab slab of concrete flab spruced up like none other. Considering it sits next to the ugly brick boring VA hospital, this will be a major improvement. And it resembles some of I.M. Pei’s fantastical designs that adorn other cities. I have, as you can tell, traveled extensively and I would love to see this city at least try to rise to that level (yawn). And the take out beer option, I love it. Very young vibe. Very populist chic.
November 28th, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Is this going to be the disaster that was the giant clay pots with plants at 48th and Baltimore, which then became clay pots with plants and giant slabs of concrete followed by busted as planters and concrete jagged lumps? Joy.
November 28th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
…at what point will we be receiving information on how this will inevitably disrupt trolley use? I’m excited about another new restaurant I can’t afford showing up in the neighborhood, but it’d also be nice to get to work sometimes.
November 28th, 2016 at 6:47 pm
I for one am looking forward to this latest move to increase commercial/social activity in West Philly. It makes for a safer and more vibrant community. For the curious, I am sure that SEPTA will let us know in plenty of time how this project will impact travel during and after construction, as they have done for other projects. As for the restaurant itself, it remains to be seen what the “vibe” will be. Perhaps certain “types” will patronize the place (I’ve seen all kinds and ages at Clarkville, for example) and for those who can’t afford it or don’t like the ambience, there are other places to go. This restaurant is not replacing anything, let alone anything more affordable, it is only taking advantage of a good location that is underutilized.
November 29th, 2016 at 9:38 am
“We’re not selling 40’s” -Weinstein
Funny guy!
November 29th, 2016 at 10:22 am
Hey, here’s an idea. Let’s build a Taco Bell in the 19th street trolley station. Say, tex mex modern vibe with a twist. The spicy sauce drips from the ceiling. The rats bring you crispanas. And best, there’s always an after meal cig somewhere close by.
December 2nd, 2016 at 9:57 am
Will Ken Weinstein be there?
December 2nd, 2016 at 10:54 am
I know very little about Mr. Weinstein, but from what I’ve read, I’m not terrible excited about his involvement in this project.
http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/threads/ritas-water-ice-chca-yes-trolley-car-tries-to-block-business-from-opening.28487/
December 2nd, 2016 at 12:19 pm
I see some mixed reactions or perhaps some confusion in this thread so let me just clarify a little. Weinstein has proposed rezoning (fancy term for changing the use of the property) to accommodate an upscale restaurant which will obviously cater to the changing population of West Philly. It seems like it will offer fine dining and outdoor seating with a hip green urban aesthetic. West Philly is becoming younger and hipper with a millennial inspired ‘we can do it’ vibe. Denizen see bland open concrete as just offensive to the eyes.
They demand to see the kinds of changes that are taking place in cities like Paris, Tokyo or even Rome. I am kind of splitting my time between New York and Gstaad but I have spent some time here in West Philly and I love what has become Clarkeville. It’s stylish but not kitschy. It is quint but not drab like the most disgusting ‘Best House’ that preceded. I think Weinstein wants to distinguish himself and of course, offer a more refined beer selection for a more sophisticated palate than *gasp* malted liquor. I just love the way Baltimore Avenue is slowly slowly become style aware, glamorous, hip with a gritty punk rock chic.
December 2nd, 2016 at 2:10 pm
There is so much wrong with your post I don’t even know where to begin. But let’s just mention a few things. First of all, Weinstein will merely operate the restaurant. Have you ever seen The Trolley Car Diner? Nothing about it says “fine dining”. Or maybe you’re just not familiar with real fine dining. He’s not proposing rezoning either.
West Philadelphia is not actually becoming younger or more millennial. University City has always been very young due to the Universities. If the average ages are trending downwards, it’s because of the influx of stable families and their children. In fact, the very millenials who serve you at local restaurants most likely have been priced out of most anywhere east of 50th and currently live in South Philadelpia, which is the new hip ‘hood.
The Best House was a relic, BUT they actually carried the best selection of craft beers in the area for years. Can you point to another restaurant in the area (let’s say Baltimore to Walnut, 34th-45th) that *GASP* sells mostly malt liquor? I can’t think of one, but on the other hand, I can think of literally dozens who sell a broad selection of craft beer.
Just slow down dude. You really don’t understand this neighborhood very well.
December 3rd, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Goldenmonkey, thanks for checking that ‘TopArchitect’ dude.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:08 am
I hope my post isn’t seen as an ad hominem attack. I just wanted to let him know that although West Philadelphia will continue to benefit from new architecture, at the heart of this community is a neighborhood filled with families and residents who appreciate not only where we’ve been but where we’re going. For the most part I’m completely behind development and architecture, but new architecture at the expense of good old architecture runs the risk of hamstringing this community with schlock.
West Philadelphia is not a Chandigarh for wannabe Le Corbusiers. We have our own thing going here,l and it is successful. There will be plenty of places for new architecture in the next 50 years.
I would like to think that TopArchitect would ultimately agree with me.
December 6th, 2016 at 9:49 am
This place looks pretty cool not dissimilar to the Sidecar or Standard Tap but my only concern is sometimes the trolleys are squeaky when they turn around at the portal. Will that effect anything?