A new development is on the horizon at 3901 Walnut St. now that the Philly Diner in University City has closed after a decade.

No longer "open." Photo from the DP.

This block has been transformed in recent years with the construction of the Radian, a 14-story building with a numerous retail offerings including CVS, a Capogiro, Sweetgreen, City Tap House (try the filet), and others, along with scores of apartments on the floors above. With the new building’s ultra-modern, industrial, love-it-or-hate-it architecture, the former diner and the adjacent Campus Copy Center look just a little worn, if nothing else.

Under the Button first broke the news of the diner’s closing on October 16. The building is owned by UPenn, whose people are interested in redeveloping the site.

“The Philly Diner had a successful ten year run,” said Ed Datz, executive director of real estate in Penn Facilities and Real Estate Service via email. “But it had seen business subside in recent years. Neither party, owner or landlord, sought to renew lease at the end of the term. It was a mutual closing.”

The building will almost definitely be torn down.

“We are evaluating our options, including redevelopment of the site,” he said. “The building is at the end of its useful life and will be demolished. At this prominent corner location, it will most likely return as a new commercial/retail development.”

Located on the western end of Upenn’s campus, an area that’s gotten much fancier in the past few years, this is a prominent corner indeed. With the aforementioned City Tap House and a Bobby Flay burger place down the street, and Distrito around the corner, something high-end could definitely land here. With this upcoming development, plus retail that will likely replace a church on 40th and Sansom Sts., and something possibly brewing at 41st and Chestnut Sts., it’s fast times at development high in this neck of the woods. Or, development university, as it were.

–Lou Mancinelli