Theater Reuse

Team

Terra Studio LLC
The Partnership CDC

Context

The 60th Street Commercial Corridor in West Philadelphia has historically benefited from its proximity to a key station on the Market Street El. Major El reconstruction has sapped the corridor of foot traffic in recent years, and the moderate-income families who live around the corridor often go elsewhere for convenience shopping. 60th Street is in the process of rebuilding — focusing reinvestment in the blocks closest to the new El station and attracting a national franchise such as a pharmacy or family-friendly restaurant to the corridor.

Site

The vacant Imperial Theater, one of several larger commercial properties located between Walnut and Spruce.

Challenge

To test the theater's potential for new retail uses and formats, consider different levels of preservation of the existing theater structure, and incorporate adjacent or nearby vacant properties into the proposed development.