PHILADELPHIA-A batch of new eateries will be added at the Chestnut Square mixed-use area at the gateway to Drexel University being developed by American Campus Communities, Inc.
Zama's will open a second location to be called coZara at the urban mixed-use residential square; Shake Shack®, Zavino and Joe Coffee will also open shops.
“The addition of these acclaimed retail tenants to Drexel University and the surrounding communities will expand the rich and diverse culinary options available in the University City area,” said Drexel University President John A. Fry in announcing the restaurant signings. “We are proud to have tenants of this quality and character on our campus and believe that we have created a unique retail destination for the city at large.”
The mixed-use block is planned to transform Chestnut Street between 32nd and 33rd Streets, at the entry to both Drexel and the broader neighborhood known as University City, with 361,200 square feet of retail and service space along with apartments.
The new restaurants slated to open in late summer are either locally or regionally owned. The coZara Japanese restaurant is to be the second location for Chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka, whose Zama restaurant is located at Rittenhouse Square. Zama was recently named as being among the “50 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia in 2013” by Philadelphia Magazine..
Shake Shack, a modern day “roadside” burger stand known for all-natural burgers, flat-top dogs and frozen custard is owned by NYC restaurateur Danny Meyer and and Union Square Hospitality Group. Shake Shack was recently distinguished in Bon Appétit's “20 Most Important Restaurants in 2013.”
Zavino, a Philadelphia wine bar and eatery that has been featured in the “Top 50 Restaurants” by Philadelphia Magazine, will open its second location at Chestnut Square. The original location opened in 2009 in the Midtown Village neighborhood and offers homemade pasta, seasonal small plates and Neapolitan style pizza.
The Manhattan-based Joe Coffee is to open a 10th location in Chestnut Square. It has been named one of the “Best U.S. Coffee Bars” by Food & Wine and listed as one of “10 Outstanding Coffee Bars in New York City” by The New York Times.
The brokerage firm Michael Salove Company teamed with American Campus to find the best restaurants to serve the Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania population around Chestnut Square. They plan to add a dessert specialty shop and other services and retail to the mix.
The development includes a 19-story residential tower at the corner of Chestnut and 32nd streets, and two eight-story buildings fronting on Chestnut Street, with an open corridor to the adjacent Creese Student Center. In addition to the eateries, the two-story street-level spaces will include retail outlets, neighborhood restaurants, and a new corner entry into the Barnes and Noble.
Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.
Once you are an ALM Digital Member, you’ll receive:
- Breaking commercial real estate news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical coverage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
*May exclude premium content© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
