Exciting new project in the works...more to come later.

Izzo Here: Yesterday I got to check on the modeling progress of an exciting new project here at JKR Partners.  It's not everyday that we get an opportunity to have a physical model of one of our designs built, so this is pretty cool for us. I can't really tell you where this is located just yet, or what it's called, or who's building it but we're excited about it. Seeing the model makes it even cooler. Check out some of the pics. Did I mention we're excited?

H3

Steve here,

I would like to share some photos of the residences at Hancock, Hope and Howard Streets in Northern Liberties- we call it H3. It’s coming along quite nicely, and as a relatively new addition these types of projects I’m still awed by the transition from Sketchup to the real thing. Special thanks to Jose for managing the project splendidly in the face of countless obstacles, so much so that H3 has become a litmus test against which all US Construction projects are measured:

“They completely ignored our drawings, it’s H3 all over again!”

In many ways H3 was for me a baptism by fire. It was my first large-scale project, and from it I learned that the construction process can be painful, that coordination can be a nightmare, and that foundation plans are subject to change without notice and without warning. But in spite of everything, we still delivered a product that remains true to its design intent with a dynamic presence in Northern Liberties. But I digress...

Third Thirsty Thursday

It's finally starting to catch on as a tradition around here, and this time we had a bunch of new guests with us.  All the new employees made it out to the bar we affectionately know as The Pub.  We're getting back into the habit of heading over to our favorite local watering hole on the third Thursday of the month. One time we played Pictionary... most times we just drink and eat every item containing cheese on the menu.  This picture only tells half the story, meaning half the people are behind the camera. I am starting get the itch for the annual JKR Partners Phils outing. Ah good times. On a side note, I am getting addicted to Instagram.

"No, I REDACTED lefty"

Is our first win in one of those cargo pockets?

It was another heart breaker, that's all I can say. The JKRP softball team turned in a great effort Wednesday night, but it just wasn't enough to get through the red tape of the Planning Commission. The bats were on fire, with solid singles and longer shots bringing in numerous runs. Defensively, the team was on top of its game. Great catches in the outfield and strong fielding on the diamond helped retire the opposition in all but one inning.  Star pitcher Dave Urffer made his 2012 debut and pitched adequately. We continue to hunt for that elusive first win and are back on the trail next week. Statistically, it just has to happen.

Breaking Ground With Penn Cinema

The newest addition to the Wilmington Riverfront

Penn talking to the crowd

Zach here with some big news in East Coast multiplex news.  After a number of starts and stops, it looks like the Penn Cinema in Wilmington, DE is going to happen. Paul and I attended the groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday morning for the $20 million 14 screen plus IMAX complex. Penn Ketchum (president of Penn Cinema Management Co.), along with a large group of family and friends from Lititz, PA, various dignitaries, the mayor of Wilmington and some grown men in pajamas also attended the ceremony. Penn plans a grand opening on November 9 for the debut of Skyfall, the 23^rd James Bond Film.  I'll keep you updated as we roll toward that opening date.

Construction site security

This is what it's all about...

Our best and brightest student Dan Cruz! So proud!

James Wines, another ACE student of ours, and an awesome saxophonist!

The happy graduates toss their caps.

Izzo Here: A bunch of us have been actively involved in ACE Mentoring for quite a few years now; some of us close to a decade.  For those of you who aren't familiar with ACE, it's an after school mentoring program for high school students who think they may be interested in a career in architecture, construction or engineering. Urffer has even had some of his ACE students come back after attending college to help him lead a team. 

We've been lucky enough to have one great student (actually we've had many), but Daniel Cruz from George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science has stood out as being exceptionally stellar.  Dan joined our ACE team when he was just a lowly shy little freshman, and we've watched him grow each year into a fine young man. We've kept in touch over the years, and I'm happy to say he's been accepted to a number of great colleges and universities and received some sizeable scholarships.  He'll be attending Temple University in the fall and will be majoring in Architecture. I guess we've had some sort of impact on him.  But he deserves all of the credit.  He and his classmates are pretty spectacular; I mean, more than half of the kids in his class got serious scholarship money. By serious I am talking full rides. And by serious I mean, one classmate got a $500,000 Gates Millennium Scholarship which will pay for his entire education through his PhD!


I was honored to be one of his invited guests to his graduation ceremony this morning at Bright Hope Baptist Church and I look forward to being invited to his college graduation in the future.  The kid's going places!  

Blake (second from right) was down an appendix and up a moustache.

(Yes, I repeated a JKR Blog photo.  Do something about it.)

It appears as though last week's softball recap fell through the cracks.  I can assure you, we lost. I can also assure you it won't happen again (missing the blog, that is. Clearly we're capable of losing again).  It was both "bring your child" and "wear a moustache" night on the Belmont Plateau, as the JKRP softball team fought through a very tight game.  Sporting a lineup that approached 20 players, we were able to field two complete defenses, giving everyone (except our pitcher, Dave) the chance to take a break at some point.  Thankfully, the El Vez lunch didn't slow anyone down.  Solid hits and aggressive running scored us some points and our play in the field was as good as it's been all year.  Manager Blake Krevolin made his appendixless debut and his stitches were tested with every ball sent to center field.  Sadly, the team is still looking for the first win of the 2012 season.  We're close, though, I know it.

Mustache Day 2012

JKR Partners is growing....growing mustaches. We've come a long way since last year.
And yes, I am wearing the same shirt as last year. It's my mustache shirt.

Thanks Everyone!

Jose' here:
I want to thank the office for making my promotion to Associate a memorable event. Forever remembered by the Collector Series card seen here.


Damn Facebook and the person who decided to tag me in the photo to the left.


Give me a break, it must have been 1989......