76 Place at Market East

76 Place at Market East

Company type	Proposed sports arena project
Industry	Sports and entertainment venue development
Founder	Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), David Adelman
Fate	Plans discontinued in January 2025
Headquarters	Philadelphia , United States
Area served	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Key people	Josh Harris, David Blitzer, David Adelman
Products	Indoor arena for basketball and other events
Owner	Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE)

76 Place at Market East was a proposed indoor venue in Center City, Philadelphia, envisioned as the future arena for the Philadelphia 76ers NBA franchise. Scheduled to debut in 2031, aligning with the conclusion of the 76ers' lease at the Wells Fargo Center, this facility was planned to occupy the western section of Fashion District Philadelphia and the site of the former Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal, positioned along Market Street between 10th and 11th Streets.

The $1.3 billion, 18,500-seat arena initiative was spearheaded by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE)—an organization co-founded by managing partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer—alongside real estate developer and HBSE limited partner David Adelman. Although the Philadelphia City Council granted approval, significant resistance arose from local community groups worried about potential effects on nearby Chinatown, with surveys indicating widespread public opposition.

In January 2025, HBSE discontinued plans for 76 Place and instead joined forces with Comcast Spectacor to pursue development of a new arena for both the 76ers and NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

Background

The Sixers currently host their games at the Wells Fargo Center, part of the larger South Philadelphia Sports Complex, which also includes Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park. Ownership of the Sixers changed hands in 2011 when Comcast Spectacor sold the team to Apollo Global Management, led by Josh Harris. The present ownership entity, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), was established by Harris and David Blitzer in 2017.

Constructed in 1996 to accommodate both the Sixers and Flyers, the Wells Fargo Center remains under Comcast Spectacor’s ownership, which benefits primarily from non-sporting events such as concerts rather than HBSE. The South Philadelphia Sports Complex has been criticized for its limited public transportation options—served solely by the Broad Street Line—and a scarcity of nearby dining and nightlife venues. Significant renovations occurred between 2019 and 2020, including installation of a new high-definition scoreboard and an increase in luxury suite offerings.

Talks about replacing the arena intensified during the mid-2010s, as HBSE began referring to Wells Fargo Center simply as "The Center," reflecting disagreements with naming rights holder Wells Fargo. In 2020, a proposal emerged for a partly publicly funded arena at Penn's Landing, but that bid was surpassed by the Durst Organization. Large-scale development projects in Center City have historically encountered obstacles; for instance, the Philadelphia Phillies’ attempt to build a downtown stadium in Chinatown, Philadelphia faced neighborhood opposition. Similarly, local residents blocked construction of Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia eight years later.

Fashion District Philadelphia

Fashion District Philadelphia is an enclosed shopping center located on Market Street. Since its opening in 2019, key tenants have included Burlington, Primark, AMC Theatres, and Round One Entertainment.<ref>Following PREIT’s bankruptcy filing in 2020, co-owner Macerich assumed significant operational control over the mall.<ref> Macerich has expressed support for transforming part of the mall into an arena, describing it as a "natural evolution" of the property.<ref> The mall experienced tenant losses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia.<ref>

Fashion District Philadelphia replaced the Gallery at Market East, an indoor mall inaugurated in 1977 that suffered decline after losing major anchor stores and ultimately closed in 2015.<ref>

Effects on Chinatown

The planned 76 Place at Market East arena is set to be situated just one block away from Chinatown.<ref> Asian Americans United, a local advocacy organization, voiced opposition to the arena project, raising concerns about its impact on the neighborhood and the likelihood that profits would primarily benefit developers.<ref> Steven Zhu, President of the Chinese Restaurant Association, pointed to declines in Chinatown areas near venues such as Washington D.C.’s Capital One Arena as cautionary precedents.<ref>

76 Devcorp committed to creating a "public benefits agreement" and initiated dialogue with community groups, including the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation.<ref> Nonetheless, during a December 2022 public forum attended by over 20 community organizations, residents raised issues related to traffic congestion, safety risks, and parking shortages.<ref><ref>

By January 2023, more than 40 Chinatown organizations united to form the "Chinatown Coalition to Oppose the Arena," with backing from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund.<ref>

In February 2023, controversy emerged when Hercules Grigos, attorney for the 76ers' development team, submitted a revised legislative proposal to a City Council member that contained clauses potentially enabling street closures near the proposed arena location.<ref><ref>

Opponents also highlighted that part of Fashion District Philadelphia would be demolished under the plan,<ref> and some argued that investments should prioritize Philadelphia’s underserved neighborhoods instead of Center City.<ref> Former City Councilman David Oh speculated that the arena proposal might be a strategic move aimed at securing concessions from Comcast Spectacor, owner of Wells Fargo Center.<ref>

Concerns Regarding Accessibility

Philadelphia sports radio host Howard Eskin labeled the proposal as among the "worst ideas for [a] sports arena," citing limited parking facilities and a high-crime area that could discourage attendance. Eskin further pointed out that fans would likely need to be transported by bus from remote parking locations due to inadequate nearby parking availability.

Geoff Gordon, president of Live Nation Entertainment Philadelphia, expressed apprehension that the new venue could disrupt customary fan traditions such as tailgating.

Reduction in Municipal and State Tax Revenue

Business leader and former Philadelphia mayoral candidate Sam Katz contended that with the exception of Madison Square Garden, arenas competing within cities seldom generate profits. He warned that 76 Place at Market East might operate at a loss and could prompt demands for public funding despite assertions of private financing. Katz also emphasized that costs for infrastructure improvements—such as subway enhancements necessary for fan access—would likely be borne by city taxpayers.

An analysis conducted by Dr. Arthur Acolin, Real Estate Chair at the University of Washington, projected that constructing 76 Place could result in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia losing approximately $1 billion in tax revenue. He attributed this to negative consequences for existing businesses caused by construction-related congestion, street closures, and changes in traffic flow. Dr. Acolin anticipated that fans would prefer purchasing food and beverages from concession stands or upscale new dining options inside the arena rather than supporting local establishments before and after events. Bishop Dwayne Royster responded by cautioning that 76 Place might deepen income inequality.

Labor

Workers represented by UNITE HERE and employed by Aramark at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex voiced their opposition to the arena. During their strike in September 2024, the union highlighted the importance of securing "quality employment" in stadium food services before considering any new arena development.

In addition, medical students and staff from the nearby Jefferson Medical Center, alongside educators from Philadelphia, also demonstrated against the arena proposal.

Public officials

A number of Pennsylvania legislators, including state senators Nikil Saval, Chris Rabb, and Rick Krajewski, as well as city councilmember Nicholas O'Rourke, participated in a September 7 rally opposing the arena. Councilmembers Jeffrey Young Jr. and Kendra Brooks similarly expressed their resistance to the project.

Public opinion

An Axios Philadelphia survey conducted in March 2024 revealed that 81% of respondents favored Comcast Spectacor’s redesign plan for the South Philadelphia Complex over the Sixers Arena proposal. Research by the Save Chinatown Coalition indicated 56% opposition to the arena, which increased to 69% when participants received neutral information. Approximately 60% of those surveyed wished for the Sixers to stay in South Philadelphia, with a comparable percentage rating Wells Fargo Center as "good or excellent." Pollster Cornell Belcher observed a growing resistance as voters became more informed about the initiative. A subsequent Axios poll in September 2024 found that 74% opposed Mayor Parker’s arena agreement.

Multiple protests took place during Philadelphia city council meetings. In October 2024, opponents interrupted a session, with demonstrations continuing until December and causing delays in voting. Despite these disruptions and the removal of protesters from the council floor, the final vote on December 19, 2024, approved the arena plans.

City officials

Mayor Cherelle Parker publicly endorsed the proposed arena in September 2024, notwithstanding objections from nearby Chinatown residents and various community organizations. Councilmember Jim Harrity also voiced support for the development.

Labor

Ryan Boyer, president of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, commended the stadium project for its capacity to "energize Philadelphia’s construction sector." Industry consultants projected that up to 9,000 workers—including professionals, tradespeople, and managers—would be involved during construction.

Construction plans

The owners of the 76ers, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), engaged architectural firm Gensler and engineering company AECOM to oversee design and building efforts. Real estate developer and HBSE limited partner David Adelman took charge of development operations.

HBSE had no intention of expediting construction to terminate their Wells Fargo Center lease ahead of schedule. The planned arena would replace roughly one-third of Fashion District Philadelphia, including venues such as the AMC Dine-In theater and Round 1 Bowling. Groundbreaking was anticipated several years away and faced resistance from local residents and businesses facing displacement. HBSE aimed to leverage the site of the Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal on Filbert Street to attract new commercial tenants. The chosen venue, 76 Place at Market East, with an 18,500-seat capacity, was selected for its accessibility via multiple public transportation options.

Although intended to be funded privately, a previously established 30-year property tax abatement agreement remains effective through 2035. The developer group 76 Devcorp indicated openness to receiving some government financial support.

Approval and cancellation

Following the city council's endorsement on December 19, 2024, the project was slated to move forward. Councilmembers Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Driscoll, Lozada, Bass, Phillips, O'Neill, Richardson, Thomas, and Harrity voted in favor of all 11 legislative measures essential for the project's progression. Conversely, Gauthier, Landau, Young, Brooks, and O'Rourke opposed ten of these bills; notably, Gauthier and Landau supported a single bill that created the Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay District, while the remaining councilmembers opposed every measure.

On January 12, 2025, HBSE announced the cancellation of the 76 Place initiative and revealed a collaboration with Comcast Spectacor to develop a new arena located within the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. An analysis by the Philadelphia Inquirer estimated that expenses related to hearings, meetings, travel, negotiations, and police overtime amounted to a minimum of $469,000 charged to city taxpayers.