Phillies Join Comcast Spectacor in Philly Sports District Revamp
The Philadelphia Phillies are partnering with Comcast Spectacor on the company’s planned mixed-used development that would revamp the South Philadelphia Sports District.
The project is expected to take several years over two phases. The first round of development, announced in February and slated to begin in 2025, will include an upgrade of the 5,000-seat concert venue Xfinity Live!, the construction of a hotel, and a shopping and restaurant plaza. Phase one is scheduled to be complete in 2028.
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Phase two is more directly connected to the Phillies, who own the lots surrounding Citizens Bank Park. The second round of development includes a second hotel, residential housing, retail, office space and new greenspace. Within these spaces will live “Phillies Plaza,” a gathering place for fans as they head inside the ballpark. This project stretches from the lots around Citizens Bank Park to the area surrounding the Wells Fargo Center. No timeline was made available for phase two.
“When I think about what makes Philadelphia unique, it’s our incredible fan base and tight-knit community,” John Middleton, managing partner and CEO of the Phillies, said in a statement. “This project focuses on expanding that community and bringing in more residents, workers and visitors.”
The Phillies’ involvement follows a trend of more American pro sports teams investing in the real estate that immediately surround their venues. The Battery Atlanta (Atlanta Braves), Ballpark Village (St. Louis Cardinals), Titletown (Green Bay Packers) and the Deer District (Milwaukee Bucks) are four of the best-known multi-use districts owned by sports teams, with many other MLB teams exploring the possibilities of building their own mixed-use developments.
Comcast Spectacor, the holding company founded in 1974 by Philadelphia Flyers founding owner Ed Snider, is a subsidiary of the cable giant, which took on full ownership of the venture after Snider’s death in 2016. Spectacor owns the Philadelphia Flyers and what’s now known as the Wells Fargo Center, which opened in 1996 to replace the famed but aged Spectrum. The Flyers’ co-tenants, the 76ers, are looking to move into a new arena of their own. In July 2022, Sixers owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer released a proposal for 76 Place at Market East in Center City, a privately funded venue which would open ahead of the 2031-32 NBA season.
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