Parc Rittenhouse: Life at the Top

I was walking around the seventh floor roof at Parc Rittenhouse the other day and was blown away by the progress. The pools are all tiled and the landscaping is starting to look great. I can't wait to open the pool in May! Here are a couple photos I took, the first is the main pool (from a higher roof) and the second (with the skyline view) is the hot tub.

I also took some photos of Rittenhouse Square from the Top of the Parc--17 stories up. The view was so great that I came back at night to take some more. Imagine living at Top of the Parc, this is what you would look at everyday...

Starr Restaurants Taking Over Corner of 18th & Locust

When you walk by the corner of Locust and 18th Streets, on the east side of Rittenhouse Square, you may notice some action on the windows. Renderings (see below) of the newest Stephen Starr restaurant are now in the windows. Parc, a French bistro, will be a similar concept to Pastis in New York City's meatpacking district. The restaurant will have seating outside for 80 people (4x the amount that Rouge has). And as an added bonus, residents of Parc Rittenhouse will be able to order food and drinks from Parc while lying poolside at the 7th floor rooftop club. Parc is slated to open spring 2008. Next time you are walking through the Square check out the progress.

Philadelphia: Acre of Diamonds

I'm Allan Domb and this is my blog.

I'm starting it because condo living and development in Philadelphia are my passions. And I want to share with the city, country, and industry my experiences, insights, and musings on life in Philadelphia, the Center City condo market, and what it all means for the city and its people.

Expect new ideas. Unique insight. Uncommon commentary. Everyone's invited to join the conversation -- including my competitors!

But first, a little background on why I specialize in condos in Philadelphia. I view it as Russell Conwell's Acre of Diamonds theory. It states people search the world over for fortune, when in reality, it's right in their backyard.

I came to Philadelphia in 1977. I worked as a salesperson for Phelps Time Lock Company, making $15,000 a year. To supplement my income, I became a realtor three years later, specializing in luxury Center City condos. And in 1999, I began specializing in luxury high-rise condo development.

I didn't research other markets beforehand. I just lived here, worked here, and had 19 years of successful experience selling and renting local real estate, and helping other regional developers market their projects.

My goal: Achieve homes for people in Philadelphia. Over the past eight years, I've developed The Barclay, 220 West Washington Square, The Lanesborough, The Bank Building Residences, 22 Front, The Warwick Condominium, and my latest accomplishment, Parc Rittenhouse, into luxury Center City condos.

Now I'm blogging about it.

But beyond the Acres of Diamonds theory, I invest so much time, money, and energy into Philadelphia for another reason, more meaningful than digging in your backyard. Check back soon to find out!