Architecture
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Behind the Scenes Tour at The Divine Lorraine Where People are Already Living
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Have you ever noticed the old background photo on the Explore-Philly website? Well, it is not from the top of the Divine Lorraine but the brother building down the street, the Beury Building (also known as the boner building because of the graffiti words sprayed on it). That same day, another adventurous photographer and I attempted to enter the then-abandoned Divine Lorraine. However, it was a concrete fortress. “We learned people were sneaking in through the Annex building in the back,” said Christopher R. Cordaro, Vice President of EB Realty Management Corp. There was one guy who did – and broke so many bones falling down an elevator shaft…
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Tune Into the Sounds of the Season at Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses
“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart … filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.” – Bess Streeter Aldrich Story, photos by Sharon Kozden They came. They toured. They listened. On December 2, in what was part of a 16-day seasonal presentation called A Very Philly Christmas, Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses came alive with the sounds of music during The Sounds of the Season. Philadelphia was well represented by its diverse musical culture and community, which included Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Choral Arts Philadelphia, Clef Club of Jazz, Opera Philadelphia and PlayOnPhilly.…
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Bar Amis Adding Flavor to Vetri Empire at Navy Yard
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Bye bye Lo Spiedo and hellooooo Bar Amis! The Vetri Family empire replaces Lo Spiedo with Bar Amis at the Navy Yard and we welcome this new concept in its place. Located right next to the Navy Yard gate at 4503 South Broad Street, executive chef Brad Spence takes the helm of this Italian tapas style eatery. Another location opened in Westport, CT this year but in order to save yourself the hike, we’ll cover the East Coast location. The spacious location offers whatever dining style you may feel that day – indoor bar style setting, more formal dining upstairs and outside patio style with views of the magnificent…
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Experience Luxury at Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose CA, the Only Boutique Hotel on Santana Row
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Luxury, style, class and comfort are the key ingredients at this modern boutique hotel on San Jose’s Santana Row, Hotel Valencia. Nestled in the heart of bustling Silicon Valley, elegant Old World Mediterranean style meets sleek modern design to create the ultimate in cosmopolitan sophistication. Polished and recently renovated by Houston-based Rottet Studio to include 215 guest rooms and suites, more than 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, two on-site restaurants – Oveja Negra Restaurant (Black Sheep) and The Terrace, full-service VBar (ultra-modern and sleek, Vbar is one of the hottest spots at Santana Row) and seasonal rooftop bar, Cielo. Located at the heart of the vibrant Santana Row urban oasis,…
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Get Tipsy, Enjoy Jose Garces’ Food, City Views at Balcony Bar at The Kimmel Center
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in association with Garces, has a new pop-up bar on the second tier outdoor balcony of The Kimmel Center. The Balcony Bar is open for happy hour Wednesday through Friday until the end of September. While the bar will serve a packed like sardines with 500 plus people for Center City Sips Wednesdays from 5–7 pm, it will be open for expanded happy hours Wednesdays from 7–9 pm, and lesser attended Thursdays and have the place to yourself Fridays from 5–9 pm (weather permitting). Enjoy free WiFi, music and those amazing views above Broad Street. It’s the perfect…
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Architectural Awards Wish You Luck, Ethos and Righteousness at Bok Building
Story, photos by Brittany Harlow This year, the Philadelphia Chapter of American Institute Architects hosted the Edmund N. Bacon Awards at architectural rarity, and recently repurposed former technical school, BOK, in South Philadelphia. At this event, Edmund N. Bacon, former city planner of Philadelphia, is remembered for his work and dedication to the city of Philadelphia. His success lives on throughout the city of Philadelphia in various projects surrounding community unity. Every year, the award is given to someone who models Edmund Bacon’s dream to unite communities through public space. The Rail Park teamed up with AIA Philadelphia for the event, and designed a student competition with this quest for…
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Eat and Drink Your Face Off in San Antonio, Texas While Exploring the City
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler When the tourism board for Visit San Antonio, Texas invites you on a press trip, you go. Especially when it’s a culinary tour and the itinerary includes eating, exploring (hey, that sounds familiar), sleeping, wining and dining at some of the best spots that this massive city has to offer (its the 7th largest city in the U.S. while Philly is 5th). The night before the scheduled 4 a.m. flight from Philly by Southwest (hint: never agree to early flights while having spotty reception in the Poconos the previous week), I was bouncing around from back to back events and packed at 8 p.m. the night…
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Hot Time in the City at Laurel Hill Cemetery’s ‘Soulstice’ Fundraiser
Photos, story by Sharon Kozden I couldn’t be at Stonehenge in England for Summer Solstice 2017. I could, however, celebrate in Druidical-style, spending several hours during a perfect summer evening on Saturday, June 24 at Laurel Hill Cemetery. The fundraiser, labeled a “Soulstice,” was presented by their Young Friends group, the “Antemortem Society” and was staged in the cemetery’s oldest section, the Medallion Garden. Surrounded by headstones, vaults and crypts at sunset, the atmosphere became predictably and preternaturally mystical. I could not have chosen a better venue for my Stonehenge-desired experience. The Young Friends group certainly knows how to throw a party! Pathways were lined with miniature candles, luring party-goers to…
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Celebrating the Kentucky Derby, West Laurel Hill Style
Story by Tiffany C. DuBois, Photos by Eric Morales When one thinks of the Kentucky Derby, you think of mint juleps, good food, bowties, women’s fashion and hats. Especially the hats. West Laurel Hill’s derby day had all this and so much more. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. West Laurel Hill is a well know cemetery located in Bala Cynwyd. It is the site of many notable burials and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. It also has an arboretum and an outdoor sculpture garden. So, how do you throw a derby party in the middle of a cemetery? Not to worry,…
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Evil Genius Brewery Revamps Former Fishtown Raver Factory into Rustic Yet Polished Beer Haven
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler We’re pretty sure there’s a reward (perhaps in delicious craft beer) to whomever can find some rave pics that allegedly happened in the now beer haven home of Evil Genius Beer Company. “In October of 2015, we purchased an old carriage factory from the 1870s at 1727 N Front St that was in shambles – collapsing ceiling, exposed wires, you name it. For the last 18 months, we have completely turned this place around – even managing to salvage wood from the original roof that were turned into our booths, benches and tables by the fantastic craftsmen at Philadelphia Wood Craft Company. We installed a…