Are playgrounds an essential part of our youth? Judging by their blog, the Philadelphia Playground Project would seem to think so. The project's goals are simple: “(1) compile a centralized list for other parents who are looking for playgrounds, and (2) give some guidance on what each one has to

We had to take a moment this morning to share Jeanne Gang's ingenious work on the Aqua tower in Chicago. The undulating balconies at 225 N. Columbus Drive protect the 82-story tower from strong winds. Gang's portfolio also includes Oculus in Taipei and the Blue Wall Center in South Carolina.

Through a good part of the fall and all winter, skilled builders from RC Legnini Building Contractors, the firm responsible for renovating the interior at Boyds in Rittenhouse, have been working to restore and modernize the interior at Smith Memorial Playhouse in Fairmount Park. The mansion, built in 1899 and

Ah, there's nothing Mr. Fox hates more than friendly competition (patience was a virtue that we never learned); we prefer the animalistic kind with a clear winner. However, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, AAA and ZipCar's first Commuter Challenge for Philadelphia is something we can support. The challenge begins next Friday,

Oh the summer months. Their return can only mean hazy bike rides, failing air conditioning units and topsider-fitted seasonal boaters taking to the water. For those of us without boats or the muscle capacity to row them for any period longer than escaping death, we can watch the 2011 Aberdeen

Unit 10SW (Chase Utley is in the penthouse SW) on the 10th floor of The Ayer at 210 W Washington Square is a two-bedroom two-bathroom ultra-modern 1,950-square-foot home. The $2.1M listing was made for entertaining with an open living room with windows on three sides, Bulthaup and Miele kitchen, glass-railed terrace, master suite

Theophilus Parsons Chandler Jr., a Harvard graduate, was a Boston native born in 1845. After attending Harvard he studied in Paris under the tutelage of a notable French architect. Upon returning to the United States he first began his work in the Boston area, but later relocated to Philadelphia in

The Wood Turning Center is moving from it's current location at 501 Vine Street to the Old Iron Works Gym in Old City at 141 N. Third Street. Opening in the fall of 2011, the new location will feature cosmetic upgrades including a polished concrete floor, impressive open mezzanine space and

We trotted by 630 South Street yesterday and saw the "Coming Soon" signs for Hot Diggity. What gives? Please tell us this will fill the hot dog hole Dapper Dog left us with. (Now, exit my hot-dog-hole boy!) Can anyone share information on what's going on here?

Finally, a reason to love the Philadelphia Parking Authority! Up to 1,500 bike racks are being installed this week as an effort to re-use the parking meters replaced by Kiosks last year. The 500 block of Race Street was getting their meter makeover this morning, while other PPA members are