Developer Paul Giegerich has plans to turn the old Beneficial Bank building on 12th and Chestnut into an oh-you-fancy-huh pool hall (aka Philly’s first upscale billiard club), and he has the Philadelphia City Planning Commission and Preservation Alliance behind him on this one. This building has been vacant for quite some time now (we’re talking almost 11 years; way to go Philly).  DAS architect David Schultz’s plans for the building, which was originally designed by historic Philly architect Horace Trumbauer in 1916 (Trumbauer also designed the Philly Art Museum and Free Library—quite the resume) include a rooftop bar equipped with a retractable glass roof and a 5,000-square-foot ground floor that will hold 17 pool tables (you can rent them by the hour) as well as a restaurant and a second bar.

The second floor will provide additional space for diners and will also house plenty of room for private parties and banquets. The menu for the restaurant has not been officially determined, but Giegerich has been in negotiation with Larry Cohen and Barry Gutin from Cube Libre (yum!); signing on an in-house chef is still on the table as well. Giegerich is an avid billiard player who has been a 20-year member of the Amsterdam Billiard Club, his inspiration for this project, while running DMI Sports, a manufacturer of the billiards and indoor games you see at arcades and pool halls.

Safeguards and restrictions have been negotiated in an attempt to put neighborhood disputers of the project more at ease; an 8-foot wall on 12th street will be built to muffle noise from the outdoor bar as well as prohibition of live music on the roof deck. Parking and hours of operation have also been restricted so that if the 1200 Bank Project doesn’t work out, the historic location can’t be made into a nightclub that would create disturbances for local residents (sorry Todd Rodeghiero). The $9 million project’s focus is a one-of-a-kind, high-end experience for both locals and tourists while bringing life back to the beautiful, historic white building on the corner of 12th and Chestnut. This could potentially be a great addition to the area as Philadelphia currently doesn’t have a comparable venue and this slightly dilapidated part of Chestnut Street could really use a little spirit revival. While there is still some negotiating to do and a Rules Committee hearing to attend (date has not been set), we are anxious to see what comes of the 1200 Bank project.

UPDATE March 23: City Council has approved this. Congrats guys!