More investment is coming to Market East as officials in Philadelphia look to transform the area after the 76ers scrapped plans to build a new arena there.
Mi Vida is a new 9,000 square foot Mexican restaurant that just opened its doors near 11th and Ludlow Streets.
It is now the biggest restaurant in the area and the owners told NBC10 that they chose the space because of its potential.
“It’s in the middle of everything. It’s next to Reading Terminal, next to the Convention Center, next to the Lowe’s hotel. Jefferson doctors gotta eat, nurses gotta drink,” Jason Berry, founder of Mi Via, said.
According to the Center City District, which oversees Market East, there has been a lot of movement in the area over the last year.
HBSE, the company that scrapped plans for the 76 Place Arena, acquired properties on the 900 and 1000 blocks of Market Street over the summer and plan to turn them into mixed-use development.
In November of 2025, Mayor Cherelle Parker and several area stakeholders announced and advisory council focused on the future of the corridor.
The companies that acquired the historic Wanamaker Building said that construction could start this year to transform it into 650 residents units plus retail, restaurants and office space.
Still, there is currently a full block of empty and boarded up building right on Market Street.
City officials said that permanent investment will take time but they say the city’s commerce department gave the Center City District money for it to fund things like pop-up shops and beer gardens in the spring and summer.
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