Crobsy Hill Celebrates Topping Out Ceremony

Joined by City of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, Wilmington-based developer, The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (BPG), BPGS Construction, Christina River Exchange, and ResideBPG celebrated the topping out of their latest residential development Crosby Hill on January 19th. During the ceremony, a structural beam was raised to the roof of the 11-story building, signifying a major milestone in the development of the 203-unit multi-family community coming to 517 Shipley Street in the Fall of 2022.

Following remarks from Mayor Purzycki, Rob Buccini, Co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group, and Chris Langan, Residential Regional Director for The Buccini/Pollin Group, guests, neighbors, and project partners were invited to sign the beam prior to its raising by the 150 foot-tall crane that’s been a focal point of the City skyline for the past eight months. The development, which is nearly halfway complete, brings over 200 construction jobs to the City of Wilmington throughout the project.

Designed by Niles Bolton Associates, the $62 million development includes two 4-story buildings and one 11-story building surrounding a private, landscaped courtyard with a swimming pool, fireplace, BBQ grills, screening area, and pergola. A private parking garage with 124 parking spots will be located underground for residents. The building will also feature a fitness center and a penthouse clubroom on the 11th floor with unparalleled city and river views. The clubroom will boast a demonstration kitchen, game room, coworking space, indoor fireplace, and outdoor terrace. The community will include studios, one, and two-bedroom apartments with stainless-steel appliances, quartz counter tops and high-end finish details throughout.

The name Crosby Hill pays tribute to the Crosby and Hill Department Store that prominently served Wilmington for nearly a century from 1878 to 1960 at 605 Market St. Described by the Every Evening in 1888 as “an indication of the substantial development of the retail trade in Wilmington…[and] an ornament to the lead business center of the city,” BPG believes this new development will be just as influential for the City as the first Crosby and Hill building.

While the majority of development in recent years has been concentrated to Market Street, Crosby Hill marks a significant move westward to widen the core of the Central Business District in Downtown Wilmington. Prior to demolition, the site was originally a standard parking lot. Crosby Hill will relocate the parking underground and bring an estimated 350 people to Shipley Street, which impacts the broader strategy to build critical mass and broaden the Downtown.

To date, BPG has brought over 2,100 units to the residential market in Wilmington and has no plans of stopping. Even with the addition of 300 new units to Downtown Wilmington last year, BPG’s residential portfolio remains stabilized across the board at 95% occupancy with consistent leasing activity at our newest communities The Cooper and 101 dupont place, which are both over 80% occupied.

To join the mailing list for progress updates, please visit www.residecrosbyhill.com.

Delaware’s First Duckpin & Dining Makes its Debut at Wilma’s

Christina River Exchange is pleased to announce the long-anticipated arrival of Wilma’s, Wilmington’s first Duckpin & Dining! Located at 900 N Market Street, Wilma’s transforms the 100-year old bank hall into a full-service bar and 60-seat restaurant with a 4-lane duckpin bowling alley and retro arcade games. The menu features Southern & New Orleans-inspired cuisine from rising Wilmington Chef James Sparks of Makers Alley, and an array of craft cocktails, draft beers, and French wines.

Wilma’s brings a beloved sport back to City limits after nearly 50 years with a fun new twist. While the concept is similar to regular bowling, the setup and rules differ slightly in duckpin bowling. A cross between skeeball and ten-pin bowling, duckpins are slightly smaller than regular pins. Players have three turns, instead of two, to score using a grapefruit-sized ball without holes.

“I can’t wait to make a fool out of myself trying to knock some pins down with a bowling ball with no little things to hang onto, that should be interesting,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki during the ceremony. “But I will be a gamer. I’ll try.”

Not to be over-shadowed by the boisterous games, Wilma’s features a stunning full-service dining room with double height ceilings and a garden trellis bar. There is also a lounge on the mezzanine overlooking the fun and games at bowling alley and a private dining room ideal for intimate gatherings.

The lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch menus are an authentic reflection of beloved Southern dishes derived from Chef Sparks travels over the years. Dishes are infused with rich Creole flavor and combine the meats, seafood, and vegetables of the region into classic entrees like: alligator sliders, French Quarter creole, shrimp and grits, and fried shrimp po’ boys. Recognizing the desire for more weekend breakfast options in Downtown Wilmington, Wilma’s also offers a hearty brunch menu available on Saturdays and Sundays. Highlights include: a variety of seafood benedict options, steak and eggs, and andouille sausage gravy. Even the cocktail menu reflects the lively spirit of the Big Easy with sazeracs, frozen hurricanes, and other gin-infused drinks.

“Consistent feedback from our residents have suggested that people are looking for more recreational activities downtown,” said Rob Buccini, Co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group. “Wilma’s is a refreshing addition to Wilmington’s bar and restaurant scene with an added element of fun.”

From the team behind Makers Alley, I.M. Coffee, and DECO, Wilma’s is the first full-service restaurant owned and operated by The Buccini/Pollin Group. But that’s just the beginning. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, BPG announced its plans to open a shuffleboard club just around the corner at The Residences at Mid-town Park. Shuffle Libre, coming in 2022, will feature full-size shuffleboard courts and a Cuban-themed menu.

Wilma’s is open Wednesday – Friday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Reservations can be made online at goodtimewilmas.com or on the Resy app. Validated parking is available at the Mid-Town Park garage (805 N Orange). Patrons should simply bring their parking ticket with them and present it to their server. For more information on private event rentals for parties of any size, please email events@goodtimewilmas.com

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A Neo-Brasserie Arrives at the HOTEL DU PONT This Spring

Image courtesy of Stokes Architecture & Design

Chef-Partner Tyler Akin, PM Hotel Group and The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (Buccini/Pollin) are pleased to announce the new French brasserie arriving at the HOTEL DU PONT this Spring will be named Le Cavalier at the Green Room.

“Le Cavalier” (pronounced: luh-KAH-vuhl-YAY) honors the deep equestrian tradition in the Brandywine River Valley.  Our inspiration started with Caesar Rodney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and President of Delaware during the revolutionary war, who is honored with a mounted horseback statue prominently overlooking adjacent Rodney Square.  

In the early 20th century when the Hotel opened, visitors would arrive by horse as often as they would by automobile or on foot. Finally, the du Pont family's history of horsemanship, from William du Pont Jr. and Marion du Pont Scott to Frolic Weymouth, provided further validation of the new moniker.

The team believes that the inclusion of “at the Green Room,” in the name shows ownership’s reverence for the storied dining room’s history.  The Green Room has played a pivotal role in defining the Wilmington’s dining scene over the past century. While Le Cavalier at the Green Room pays deep respect to the history of the space, the new restaurant represents a full reconcepting and is not a renovation of the existing concept.

“It is important to us to honor the Green Room’s unparalleled legacy,” said Dave Pollin, co-founder and president of The Buccini/Pollin Group and chairman of PM Hotel Group. “That said, we are actively talking to the community and are thrilled to deliver on meeting the demand for a more casual, chef-driven restaurant. We believe Le Cavalier at the Green Room will marry reverence and progress and hit those notes for our guests.”

Image courtesy of Stokes Architecture & Design

Le Cavalier at the Green Room will be a bustling and progressive French brasserie open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch seven days a week, 365 days a year. The restaurant’s cuisine pulls influences from Provençe and North Africa served up in an approachable atmosphere that is at once contemporary and nostalgic. Chef will design menus that showcase innovative riffs on French classics alongside ever-evolving seasonal offerings that showcase the vibrancy of Delaware foodways.

“Naming this restaurant was an incredibly difficult yet rewarding part of the process. With Le Cavalier at the Green Room, we honor what came before us while looking ahead to how we can bring Wilmington a restaurant that is both convivial and approachable,” said Chef-Partner Tyler Akin. Tyler is also the Chef-Owner of Stock and Res Ipsa Cafe in Philadelphia.

The restaurant, designed by Stokes Architecture & Design, will boast 125 seats with an intimate 14 seat bar, a private dining room and seasonal outdoor patio seating on Rodney Square. Director of Design, Lance Saunders, will thoughtfully update the space to create a more lively atmosphere while celebrating the room’s elegant bones. Le Cavalier at the Green Room is expected to open in Spring 2020.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown Opens

Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown, part of Hilton’s All Suites portfolio, is now open! Designed for guests who want to travel on their own terms, Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown offers guests all the comforts of home, whether they are traveling for work or enjoying a well-earned getaway. With 120 new suites, the hotel provides an upscale extended stay offering at the Riverfront to serve the revitalized and growing destination within the market. 

“Wilmington’s Riverfront is quickly transforming into a tourism magnet and an economic engine for the city, and Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown is centrally located near top dining, shopping and business districts,” said Rick Colling, global head, Homewood Suites by Hilton. “With offerings such as spacious suites and complimentary breakfast, this hotel provides an extended-stay lodging option that both business and leisure travelers seek when visiting the area.” 

The seventh hotel in the Delaware market managed by PM Hotel Group, Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown offers a combination of studio and one-bedroom accommodations, featuring fully-equipped kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas, all with floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of the city and the Christina River. Guests are provided all the essentials needed for a smart, reliable and convenient stay including complimentary daily full hot breakfast, evening social Monday-Thursday, Wi-Fi and a grocery shopping service*. Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown also makes it easy for travelers to unwind with an outdoor kitchen and grill area, patio games, bike rentals and a 24-hour fitness center. The property offers a complimentary business center and 478 square feet of flexible space that is ideal for meetings and social events. 

Located at 820 Justison St., Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown offers guests direct access to the Wilmington Riverwalk and is convenient to dining and entertainment options throughout the city. The property is ideally situated near the local offices of some of the nation’s largest corporations and its proximity to the Chase Center on the Riverfront attracts larger convention groups. Nearby, the newly constructed 76ers Fieldhouse serves the national and regional sports market. Transportation options include the Amtrak station one mile away, serving the Northeast Corridor with regional and Acela train service, and Philadelphia International Airport 25 miles north. Free parking is on-site and a complimentary shuttle service within a three-mile radius of the property is also available. 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 17 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using a Digital Key.

The Making of Makers Alley

Image Credit: Town Square Delaware

Makers Alley is a brand new bar coming soon to Downtown Wilmington, DE - complete with a classic Airstream travel trailer turned food truck. City living and the inevitable quest for hidden places and found spaces were the inspirations for Makers Alley.

“We wanted it to feel like an off-the-beaten-path kind of place. The design included removing two floors and creating a triple height volume for the space. It’s just flooded with light,” said Sarah Lamb, Vice President of Design and Marketing for The Buccini/Pollin Group.

Once a carpenter’s workshop, the industrial design pays tribute to the makers that formerly inhabited the space, dating back to the late 1800s. The Edison light bulbs, copper piping, original wood beams, and exposed duct work honor the history of the space. While the fire pits, hammocks, and landscaping (literally) breath new life into the forgotten and dilapidated building.

While the makers of the space add the finishing touches, we caught up with CRE procurement specialist, Zach Shope, to breakdown the process behind the making of Makers Alley.

How did you oversee the FF&E installation to ensure client satisfaction?

I was in constant communication with the general contractor at Makers Alley to coordinate the shipping, delivery, storage, installation, and inspection of items to confirm the quality and condition of the items. I also supplied detailed information on the care and installation of products.

What was the biggest challenge you experienced during this project?

Working with the general contractor to ensure all of the gas-powered items, like the fire pit and heat lamps, met the installation requirement. In the end, the gas-powered items were installed safely within the appropriate time frame, but securing the instructions was a difficult process.

Do you have a favorite space or fixture from the project?

I like the gas fire pit that’s a focal point in the garden area. It has iridescent glass rocks in the middle and easily ignites with an electric push button.

Is there anything else unique about the project that you’d like to mention?

The majority, if not all, of the lighting was sourced and imported internationally. The fixtures are all extremely unique and add to the cool “vibe” of the space.

DE.CO Serves Up Style at Wilmington's Newest Food Hall

DE.CO, short for Delaware Collective, is a place for all of Wilmington to come together over great food and drink in the state's first chef-driven food hall. Each of the food hall’s eight chefs operate from one of the kitchens within the food hall, and guests order directly from whichever stall sparks their fancy. Diners then enjoy their food together at one of many comfortable tables throughout the space or at the soaring atrium bar, serving cocktails, wine and beer. The modern-deco design evokes the grand past of the DuPont Building and transitions it into a contemporary aesthetic, both throughout the comfortable-yet-spacious food hall and in an expansive private event space.