Thursday, November 3, marked the official groundbreaking of a new mixed-use residential tower called 200 Spring Garden. 

“This project is the first phase in what will be a new neighborhood from Spring Garden Street, all the way down to Callowhill Street along 2nd,” said Daniel Killinger, President of Real Estate Development, one of the many partners of this project. 

He added after the project is completed, it will create “an entirely new neighborhood that will combine the energy and vitality of Northern Liberties with the history and culture of Old City into something that is truly Philadelphia.” 

The new development is a joint venture between National Real Estate Advisors, LLC, along with National Real Estate Development, LLC and Kushner Real Estate Group. 

The latter is a family business that has done business in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Lehigh Valley for generations. 

Jonathan Kushner, President of Kushner Real Estate Group, pointed out that this project was started with the same motive as the others.

“It’s really transformational,” he said. “We’re happy to do business, and take that very seriously… we only try to build projects that we believe neighborhoods are going to get better and better.” 

The new structure will be 13-stories high with 360 apartment units offering extensive amenities, and 10,000 square feet of outdoor public green space. The building will also include 5,400 square feet of corner marquee retail, and a pedestrian-friendly, landscaped public plaza featuring original artwork curated by Mural Arts Philadelphia. 

Upon its completion, the new development will provide housing, create jobs, and bring revenue to the city. 

Councilmember Mark Squilla has been among the staunchest supporters of these investments into the city, and particularly the First District, in which he serves.

He highlighted the importance of labor in helping the city prosper. 

“To be able to have their investment into these projects, that guarantees not only great projects across the city of Philadelphia, but guarantee work,” he said. “Work is important because the more people work and the more people we have in the City of Philadelphia, the more we can grow.”

“This project not only grows density for Old City and Northern Liberties’ neighborhoods, but also brings the opportunity to build more commercial and retail space,” added Councilmember Squilla. 

To this end, Kristine Kennedy, executive director at Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, added that this project brings “huge opportunity for economic development in the area.”

When Kennedy first took on her role four years ago, it was immediately clear to her the challenges disconnecting Northern Liberties and Old City. 

This project will serve as a huge solution to those challenges. 

Overall, a common theme that was shared among the speakers about what will go into the success of this project is the concept of trust.

Trust — among the partners of the project and those who live and work in the area — will go a long way toward bringing the energy, vibrancy and vitality that this new development seeks to bring. 

The area of the new development is the location of the first City Fitness location in the city, which opened in 2007. 

In that time, it has become a bedrock for the community.  

“We are incredibly thankful to be a part of such an incredible project,” said Britt Kleine, senior vice president of operations for City Fitness. 

To engage the members of the community, Killinger added that everyone who lives in the building will get a membership to City Fitness, and access to its facilities. 

Killinger also announced that the area the groundbreaking ceremony took place will be turned into a public park.

“This is the first phase... just the beginning, and Mural Artis is going to anchor this new public park with murals, and we're super excited to have them as part of this project,” he added. 

This is the second huge project that National Real Estate Development will be pursuing in the Philadelphia area. The first was the $1 billion East Market project between 11th and 12th streets, and Market and Chestnuts streets in Center City. 

For more information about the 200 Spring Garden project, visit here.