BET Investments is embarking on an impressive mixed-use development on the former Prudential Insurance Co. site in Dresher, which spans 90 acres adjacent to the Promenade at Upper Dublin. This “legacy project” aims to transform the area with a comprehensive plan that includes:
- 600 apartments
- 160 stacked townhomes
- 150 senior and assisted living units
- A 100-room hotel
- 106,000 square feet of retail and dining options
- 100,000 square feet of medical or office space
- A police substation
- Connected trails featuring outdoor exercise stations
Situated at 2101 Welsh Road, the site is strategically located along the western side of Welsh Road, north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and southeast of the already successful Promenade at Upper Dublin, which BET developed and opened in 2020. Having acquired the property from Prudential for $30 million in 2022, BET Investments sees this project as a unique opportunity to build a legacy project.
In July, BET presented its development plans to the Upper Dublin Township Planning Commission, seeking zoning changes to accommodate the hotel, townhomes, and senior living units. The approval process is expected to take three to four months, with subsequent conditional use and site plan approvals potentially extending through most of next year. Construction for the apartments is projected to begin by the end of 2025, with the entire project estimated to take eight to ten years to complete, although much could be finished within five.
The existing site, which features three interconnected office buildings totaling 861,000 square feet and formerly housing over 2,000 employees and a large parking facility, will see demolition starting in two weeks.
BET Investments President Michael Markman envisions the development becoming a premier destination in the suburbs. He emphasized the careful planning necessary for such a significant parcel: “It puts us in a situation where we can make one of the most interesting projects that’s ever been built in the Philadelphia suburbs.”
The 600 apartments will be organized into three buildings centrally located on the site to minimize impact on surrounding neighborhoods. The buildings will feature parking beneath a podium to enhance aesthetics and functionality. Projected monthly rents for the studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units will average around $2,500, with amenities including indoor and outdoor pools, office spaces, podcast rooms, and a large fitness center. Markman aims for these apartments to offer a resort-style experience that surpasses the offerings at the Promenade.
The stacked townhomes will consist of two floors per unit, situated closest to the existing single-family home development. The senior living facility will be positioned along the edge of the property adjacent to Dublin Hunt.
Unlike the Promenade, retail spaces within the apartment buildings are not planned. Instead, BET intends to construct retail spaces in phases along Welsh Road, tailored to specific tenants rather than large-scale developments. The overall retail space will be slightly less than at the Promenade, focusing on smaller establishments.
Markman expressed pride in the success of the Promenade and anticipates this new project will further solidify BET’s positive impact on the community. Local municipalities are also exploring plans for a new Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange on the property, which could enhance accessibility, although that would require significant funding and a future lengthy planning process. Public concerns during the planning commission meeting primarily revolved around potential traffic impacts on surrounding roads, including Welsh Road, Dreshertown Road, and Blair Mill Road.
As BET Investments moves forward, it remains committed to addressing these community considerations.
