Bas Slabbers | NewsWorks
- When his Nolen Properties purchased the Nugent Home for Baptists back in 2005, managing director Richard Sundall admits, “we found out the hard way” that there’s often more than meets the eye when it comes to historic preservation and reuse. The Mount Airy project took three proposals before it was approved for historic preservation tax credits, and demands a great deal of attention in order to restore several of the 1895 building’s “character defining elements.”
- Chestnut Street’s Prince Music Theater emerged from bankruptcy three months ago with a new set of owners committed to restoring the financial viability of the once famed Philadelphia cultural center. With such priorities, the yet-to-be-named managing director will be more of an administrator than a creative type, says project advisor Lawrence J. Wilker. “There will be some new works down the road that the Prince might participate in or create itself, but the reality of it is that it will be a mini-performing arts center that will focus on small, interactive performances, support a small dance company or do readings of new musicals, act as a catalyst and supporter of the arts as a presenter as opposed to creating a work from scratch, although I would not rule that out.”
- Bart Blatstein spent 90 minutes last night reassuring attendees of a Callowhill Neighborhood Association meeting that his French themed casino/entertainment complex at the old Inquirer building—the Provence—would primarily attract the well-to-do, and not amount to a house of predatory gambling.
- The Friends of Seger Park Playground will officially open the renovated Washington Square West park on January 26. At that event, Phase 2 of the renovation project will kick off, with a look at a $250,000 water feature called Fluidscape.
About the author
Stephen Currall recently received his BA in history from Arcadia University. Before beginning doctoral studies, he is pursuing his interest in local history, specifically just how Philadelphians engage their vibrant past. Besides skimming through 18th century letters, Steve is also interested in music and travel.
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