Kimmel Center restaurant, studio project may proceed, says city council

The Kimmel Center can make changes to its 200 South Broad Street building that center representatives say are needed to open a new restaurant and relocate the Innovation Studio.

The restaurant, which would be operated by Wolfgang Puck, would offer casual and fancier menu options and will seat 120 patrons. It will feature a large glass wall that can be opened during nice weather.

The ordinance, passed unanimously by city council Thursday, allows Kimmel to push its building out four feet onto the Spruce Street sidewalk, leaving 12 feet unobstructed.  The glass wall looking into the restaurant and studio are designed to draw people from the street into the Kimmel.

A former restaurant on the site closed. Kimmel representatives told the planning commission earlier this month that was because of its second floor location – no one could even tell if it was open, they said.

The ordinance was introduced by Ninth District Councilwoman Marian Tasco on behalf of Council President Anna Verna, who represents the Second District. See previous coverage here.

Contact the reporter at kgates@planphilly.com

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