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Work Begins On Future Mixed-Use Development Project In Fairmount

By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Demolition has begun on a massive mixed-use development project in Fairmount that will house a newly relocated Whole Foods, a CVS, luxury apartments and offices.

Neil Rodin, chairman of IFC Rodin Group says they've started working on the site at 22nd and Pennsylvania Avenue that will become known as Rodin Square:

"We're taking down the existing (Days Inn) Motel, which has a swimming pool, so all this obviously has to be demolished before we can start construction. So true construction should probably start mid-September."

neil rodin
Neil Rodin, chairman of IFC Rodin Group, on the construction site of Rodin Square at 22nd Street and Pennsylvania Ave. (Credit: Hadas Kuznits)

He says this is a dream location:

"I mean, it's three acres of land in the heart of the city with five street frontages. I make a joke that if a developer investor went to heaven and asked god give me a site, this would be the site you'd be praying for."

Despite the size, Rodin tells KYW Newsradio they anticipate efficient traffic flow since they'll be building a road horizontally through the parking lot:

"That will allow us to take all trucks -- trash, loading and unloading -- off the street."

Almost 300 luxury rentals, a bank and an infinity pool will also be built at the location. Rodin says the project is expected to be finished two years from now.

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