It's only been like two months since we last checked in on the large mixed-use project at 22nd & Hamilton that was once called as Rodin Square and is now known as Dalian on the Park. This project replaces an unattractive Best Western hotel and is best known as the future home of the relocated Callowhill Whole Foods Market. Along with Whole Foods and a CVS, the building, designed by MV+A Architects, will also have almost 300 apartments and about 500 parking spots. Over the last couple of months, the project has made some nice progress.
From what we hear, the project will wrap up before the end of 2016. That means that Whole Foods will be vacating their current home at 2100 Pennsylvania Ave. relatively soon. Ever since we heard about this plan, we've been curious to know what will eventually take over their sizable current space. Last week, word broke that Target would be opening a compact store here, and a couple days ago Philadelphia Magazine got their hands on some renderings.
According to Philly Mag, the 38K sqft store will be about a third the size of the typical store that Target is opening these days. This location will sell clothing, home goods, sporting goods, health & beauty, toys, baby stuff, and some grocery items. Another rendering shows a pharmacy sign, but it seems odd that a Target pharmacy would compete with a planned CVS two blocks away. In case you didn't know, CVS operates Target's pharmacy division.
We have no idea whether this small-sized Target location will be a hit with the neighbors or whether people will continue to patronize the larger Target in South Philly. Target certainly seems like a reasonable use for this large building, but we would guess that the currently awful parking situation will remain terrible with Target running the show. This building isn't old by any means, but we wonder whether a new project here with greater height, a residential component, and added parking, might have been a better product for the area in the long-term. Then again, we can't force anyone to do anything with their private property, so good for the owners of the building that they were able to find such a desirable tenant before Whole Foods walked out the door.
And when Target makes their move, we'll let you know whether the store works on a smaller scale and whether the parking lot situation has improved in any way whatsoever.