We give Philadelphia's
historic buildings
a second life

Six-Story Hyatt Studios Planned for Broad Street Diner Site

Plato Studio's design for a six-story Hyatt Studios hotel at 1135–43 S. Broad Street was featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The proposed hotel includes 105 rooms and 42 underground parking spaces on the site of the longtime Broad Street Diner, with plans submitted to the Philadelphia Planning Commission.

The design highlights the project's proximity to SEPTA's Broad Street subway line and direct access to major sightseeing destinations, entertainment venues, and Center City. The project will be subject to the Civic Design Review process and requires approvals from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Plans were credited to Plato A. Marinakos Jr. and Plato Studio. Get in touch to learn more about our hospitality work.

Building Permit Approved: 2223 Emerald Street

We're excited to share that the City of Philadelphia has approved the building permit for our 2223 Emerald Street project in Kensington — new construction on a vacant lot. Three stories of red brick with black metal panel accents and a roof deck, designed to fit the scale and character of the surrounding streetscape while bringing something fresh to the block.

The design features an open-concept first floor with living, dining, and kitchen areas, and upper floors dedicated to bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. The building is fully sprinklered per NFPA 13D and designed for energy efficiency with R-20 batt insulation at all exterior walls and R-49 at the roof.

Behind every permit approval is the work that doesn't make the photo — the zoning analysis, code review, coordination with L&I, the insulation specs, the sprinkler design. All of that happens before a single shovel hits the ground. That's the work we do at Plato Studio.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks. If you've got a vacant lot, a small multi-family, or an infill site in Philadelphia — let's talk.