The Daily Pennsylvanian is a student-run nonprofit.

Please support us by disabling your ad blocker on our site.

[Ari Friedman/The Daily Pennsylvanian] The old Hajoca plumbing building, located at 3025 Walnut St., will be the site of WXPN's new studios.

In less than six months, the area around 31st and Walnut streets, now known for construction cranes and empty warehouse buildings, may be viewed as the region's live music hotspot.

With 40,000 square feet, including a cutting-edge live music venue surrounded by restaurants and studio space, World Cafe Live is set to make that a reality, with a grand opening set for Oct. 1.

The joint venture between the University's public radio station, WXPN, and Real Entertainment Group Inc. is transforming the building that formerly held the Hajoca plumbing factory.

The newly revamped space will include live music seven days a week, often playing into the wee hours of the morning.

"I've spent 20 years as a music lover who became increasingly frustrated that a place like this did not exist, having great food and good music under one roof," said Hal Real, Real Entertainment Group owner.

Roger LeMay, WXPN's general manager, echoed that sentiment.

"Philadelphia doesn't have a House of Blues, so this will be a real asset for the city," LeMay said.

After sitting vacant for years, the former factory is quickly morphing into a unique $15 million project.

After the construction dust clears, the downstairs area of World Cafe Live will hold a three-tiered music hall with seating for up to 500 people, while an intimate overhead mezzanine will accommodate an additional 100 patrons.

Upstairs, a cafe with seating for 100 will feature live radio broadcasts and live music, both day and night.

And visitors will not have to go far for snacks or drinks. Both the upstairs and downstairs music venues will be fully equipped with table dining and well-stocked bars.

"This will be the nicest acoustic venue in town," LeMay said. "We've spent a ton of money on acoustic engineers. It's like a miniature Kimmel Center."

LeMay went on to say that the "upstairs area will be more local and singer-songwriter" acts, while the downstairs venue will be home to "more eclectic" sounds.

The space will also house the new, vastly expanded studios of WXPN.

"WXPN had outgrown its current facility," LeMay said, noting that the station's staff now works in two different locations. "We're going to have at least four times as much studio space."

And although the ambitious project is not receiving any University money, Penn President Judith Rodin was highly instrumental in getting the project off the ground.

"We've gotten great support from Dr. Rodin," LeMay said. "She's helped us with fundraising, giving us her endorsement. She's really a friend of the project."

Of course, the University and the West Philadelphia community stand to gain from the project's success.

"I think that we're going to be a community center for music lovers for the whole region," Real said. "In addition to attracting students, we'll become a new attraction in University City to the non-student community."

To further ensure the success of World Cafe Live, the University encouraged Real and WXPN to tap the expertise of local real estate mogul Carl Dranoff.

Dranoff, whose completed projects in the area include the Left Bank and Locust on the Park, signed on to develop the property, and construction began in August 2003.

"When we started working on the building two and a half years ago, Carl had just finished the Left Bank," Real said. "Since this was next door, it made a lot of sense."

In addition, the new building will provide enhanced job opportunities for students interested in the music industry.

WXPN, which currently employs about 150 students, anticipates a staff increase, and job opportunities should be available at World Cafe Live as well.

"We'll have job opportunities in the production and music side of it, artist relations, productions, ticketing, retail -- all aspects of the business."

Comments powered by Disqus

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.