Xfinity Live! (formerly Philly Live!)[1] is a high end destination retail, dining and entertainment complex located in the Little Italy neighborhood community of South Philadelphia being constructed within the regional hub borders of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The location is on the former site of the 1967-2010 Spectrum arena and previously the Stadium Arena site for the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition. Currently considered a 4th Stadium experience but is not within the legislation of the Sports Complex Special Services District. Adjacent to the complex development is the Entrepreneur development business campus of Philadelphia Navy Yard and 348 acres of environmental natural land reserves of FDR Park a historic official designated Historic district that includes lakes, unique tree inventory and migrating wildlife, and a Golf Course, Tennis Courts, Skate Park, Ball Fields and public picnic areas.
Starting in 2008 Comcast-Spectacor and Cordish Company developers partnered for the proposed Art Nouveau design applying neon and LED lighting technology accented structures and walkways to create a virtual futuristic archectural experience. The original concept included an assortment of restaurants with outdoor seating, a hotel along Pattison Avenue as well as a spa or health club.[2] The December 2011 announcement by Cordish Cos., the developer, and Comcast-Spectacor, the operator, of renaming/reinventing the project as Xfinity Live! considering it to be a "fourth stadium experience" complementing the immediate area of the Wells Fargo Center, Citizens Bank Park, and Lincoln Financial Field.[3] /July 2010]</ref>
The "Philly Live!" construction began in the summer of 2011 and the first initial phase is expected to be open by the Spring of 2012. The initial phase of construction is creating 500 jobs, which it will eventually lead to an estimated 400 permanent jobs. In addition, the project is projected to bring a financial impact of $59.1 million to the city's economy.[4][5] The announcement of "Xfinity Live!" is a less ambitious project concept centered on restaurants and bars.
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