Blatstein's The Provence on North Broad
Developer Bart Blatstein wants his casino project to create a "walkable community" along North Broad Street.
Blatstein's The Provence on North Broad
Local developer Bart Blatstein presented his casino project not just as a business venture, but as the culmination of a career that started more than three decades ago with the renovation of townhouse in Queen Village.
Blatstein, of Tower Investments, sees The Provence as a multi-layered entertainment complex with a casino. “What if Philadelphia would be the first major city in the country that had a true entertainment complex in its core,” Blatstein said.
Speaking as much to the local audience as to the seven commissioners for the gaming board, Blatstein tried to separate his project from the pack by focusing on the potential economic impact on the neighborhoods near 400 N. Broad Street.
Veteran casino architect Paul Steelman said most gaming houses are designed to keep people inside. The Provence, in contrast, would revitalize street life in what is now an empty part of Center City.
Among the highlights of Blatstein's presentation:
- Blatstein disclosed that he has made 35 visits to neighborhood groups, churches and schools ot sell his project. “You can’t rebuild a neighborhood from 25,000 feet up or out of town,” Blatstein said.
- Construction will happen in one fell swoop; no phases. And financing, Blatstein said, will not be a problem.
- Stephen Mullin of Econsult Consulting, who was hired by Blatstein to gauge the economic impact, said of all six projects, The Provence would generate the most net gaming revenue for the state and city; and has the most potential for economic spin-off investment.
Blatstein said his goal is to create “a walkable community.”
“I love Philly and this is how I am going to ride out,” Blatstein said to applause.
From what I've seen, Blatstein's vision is heads and shoulders above what were some very impressive presentations.— corpo- Bart Blatstein understands the neighborhoods. It's impressive that he's reached out to North Philadelphia. And he took an enormous risk in Northern Liberties. We need to get behind him.— Sam Pillegi
- What a damn good salesman.— bjb304
The Blattstein family is just a group of thieves that began with daddy and the stadium seats. They should all be in jail.— Ralph 1- he's a cheap crook. sold most of the piazza because he couldnt run it and fought with every business owner who leased from him.— psualum
- Blattstein can be a very difficult landlord. I've experienced that firsthand in one of his early Riverview projects. He is, however, a true champion of the city where he made his wealth. He has changed, for the better, overall, some neighborhoods that were in decay and trashed.
This project may indeed help that area. Or be a total failure. Not sure.— Ben Fan - IDK ABOUT BLATSTEIN BEING A CROOK, BUT THE PIAZZA IS NOT THAT GREAT OF A SUCCESS. ALTHOUGH NOT A BAD IDEA IT NEEDED BETTER MANAGEMNET THAN BLATSTEIN COULD PROVIDE. HE IS NO WYNN OR CORDISH AND THIS PROBABLY WON'T GET DONE. SELL THE INKY BLDG. TO ANOTHER DEVELOPER BART.— mjkfisher
- The designs are atrocious. It would do absolutely nothing to enhance the streetscape of North Broad. There's a reason why other cities don't have Disney-inspired villages atop of their buildings. If Philadelphia wants to be a mentioned in the same breath as New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco etc, it needs to adamantly reject proposals like this.— denphil0503
Parmley covers the Atlantic City and Pennsylvania gaming industry for business news, while Lin covers development issues in Philadelphia for the metropolitan staff.
