PHILADELPHIA | 1341 S. Columbus Boulevard | 382 FT | 36 FLOORS

[mcgrath618]

Highly theoretical... to the point of perhaps only existing in our minds...

Title: 1341 S. Delaware Avenue (Columbus Boulevard)
Project: Residential, retail
Architect: Perkins Eastman
Developer: Brevet Capital Management (K4 Philadelphia LLC)
Location: 1341 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Neighborhood: Pennsport
District: South Philadelphia
Floors: 36 Floors
Height: 382 Feet





Potential future phase:


Apartment tower planned for Columbus Boulevard could be the first of three

New York’s Brevet Capital Management revealed its vision for 1341 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. to the Pennsport Civic Association on Wednesday night, showing a soaring tower on Delaware River with 620 units and promising a dramatic revision of public space in the area.

In addition to the tower and small retail building just to its west, the developer’s representatives outlined possible future phases that could include two additional towers.

“The retail building is constructed as a placeholder,” Meredith Trego, a zoning lawyer with Ballard Spahr, said at the Pennsport Civic Association meeting. “But the idea is in a future phase that a one-story building would go away, and a new tower could go in its place.”

The towering project, with its limited parking, is legally possible due to the unique zoning incentives available along the central Delaware riverfront.

The developers are paying into the city’s housing trust fund as well as upgrading, maintaining, and extending a rundown stretch of the Delaware River Trail down to Reed Street in exchange for building as high as they want.

The first tower would be over 380 feet tall, and renderings show possible future towers that would be even taller. To be allowed to build that high for future buildings, the developer would have to pay into the housing trust fund again, and they could not encroach on trail space.

Conditions on the pedestrian- and bike-friendly river trail have deteriorated below Washington Avenue. The infrastructure has not been maintained to the level it is farther north.

BREAKING: 36 Floors, 620 Units Proposed in Pennsport

So, after well over two years, we were thrilled when we were given a head’s up by one of our intrepid readers that it appears there is news: a proposal for what is being called Wharton Piers will be presented to the Pennsport Civic Association. While digging around the RCO’s website, we couldn’t find any additional information. However, a look at the zoning records for this property provides some exciting information.

A zoning permit was issued back in July for a new concept: a 382-foot-tall tower, which would include 620 residential units, a parking garage for 187 vehicles/207 bicycles, a separate low-rise building containing more retail, and the extension of the Delaware River Trail along the water. This comes to us yet again from Perkins Eastman, with K4 Philadelphia LLC (of Liberty on the River fame) listed as the permit holder. Whoa. Let’s take a closer look at what the future might hold for this by-right project before we dive deeper.

[Aether]

Honestly, im really hoping this happens, this would be spectacular.

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by Aether

Honestly, im really hoping this happens, this would be spectacular.

I'll take "Things that will never happen" for $1000 Alex.

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by Londonee

I'll take "Things that will never happen" for $1000 Alex.

The answer is: This compound word means someone who publicly disbelieves any ambitious project proposal, to callous himself against disappointment.
Question: What is a Negadelphian?

Look, Bridgeman's Tower it ain't, but it's a decent proposal, let's hope it comes through.

And also, ALEX TREBEK IS DEAD you insensitive fuck.

[BroadandMarket]

https://www.inquirer.com/news/homele...-20251015.html

Some more info from an Inquirer article

Often, those deadlines were postponed or mini-clearings took place, like one in April that was limited to two smaller areas. But the tenor of this week’s clearing felt different with news that 1341 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., which city records show stretches across two piers along the trail, is slated to break ground on a 620-unit apartment tower in summer 2026.

...

Creating “density” for the Reed Street lot is part of Brevet Capital Management’s apartment tower pitch to Pennsport residents. The firm’s attorneys have posited that active use is the only thing that will keep people from coming back.

Brevet will pay into Philadelphia’s Housing Trust Fund to tap into zoning bonuses that will allow for a taller building and has committed to the upkeep of that stretch of trail. To limit access in the meantime, Brevet plans to place additional signage and fencing, company representatives told Pennsport residents last week.

“Alongside our community partners, we are committed to prioritizing safety and ensuring everyone is treated with dignity,” a spokesperson for New York-based Brevet said Tuesday."

[summersm343]

CDR Submission up for this one. Pretty sharp looking honestly in the off chance the developer does get this off the ground.

https://www.phila.gov/media/20251118...December-2.pdf

[christof]

This one ain't happening. It is one of those hopeful projects at the end of the cycle that just dies on the vine.

[reparcsyks]

This is what Sugarhouse should have looked like.

[Gritty’s_twin]

The developers, Brevet Capital is not in real estate development. Has K4 ever built anything? K4 failed at liberty on the river. Based on this, it isn’t getting built.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Gritty’s_twin

The developers, Brevet Capital is not in real estate development. Has K4 ever built anything? K4 failed at liberty on the river. Based on this, it isn’t getting built.

I totally agree that this isn't reality. My question is "why bother with these fantasy ghost projects?" What do they get out of that?

[PurpleWhiteOut]

Pennsport apartment tower secures $150 million construction loan, plans to break ground next year

A 36-story apartment tower planned for 1341 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. in South Philadelphia has secured a $150 million senior construction loan, New York-based developer Brevet Capital announced Tuesday.

Construction on the project Brevet Capital calls “Wharton Piers” is anticipated to last two years, finishing in the first quarter of 2029.

At a meeting of the Pennsport Civic Association in October, Brevet Capital representatives said that the company hoped to develop two further residential towers on the site, which sits between the Delaware River and the neighborhood. Future high-rises may be taller than the 380-foot tower financed by Banco Inbursa.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut

Pennsport apartment tower secures $150 million construction loan, plans to break ground next year

Wow, if this actually gets built.

(and embarrassing for Durst...)

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Wow, if this actually gets built.

(and embarrassing for Durst...)

At some point we're gonna have to consider this real. And it's usually when the builders secure financing.

This is wild.

[BroadandMarket]

I'm revisiting the renders now because I didn't take it seriously before...they look awesome. The whole Delaware should be lined with high rises like this. It'll always be car centric and flood prone over here so I have no problem with huge parking podiums.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

It'll always be car centric and flood prone over here so I have no problem with huge parking podiums.

As long as we keep talking like this it will be!

[thoughtcriminal]

gotta say, not loving the massing. especially for the potentially larger phase 2. it's a little "philly special" - wider than tall. the reason to do that in the street grid of center city can be understood if not loved, but on the river front you want thinner towers so as not to obstruct views.

[Plokoon111]

This is exciting! Very Miami like. Seem something new and tall, especially in a area like this.

[Skang]

Originally Posted by Plokoon111

This is exciting! Very Miami like. Seem something new and tall, especially in a area like this.

Will it make an impact on the skyline?

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

As long as we keep talking like this it will be!

I mean obviously I want Septa to extend the G down the median of Delaware Ave/Columbus. I want Riverview plaza to redeveloped like the 2019 plan. I want the dead Christian street pier project to happen. But at this point I will settle for any midrise or tower and hope it's a catalyst. The only development that has happened on Columbus from Christian to Oregon in the last 20 years is that ugly ass Giant that faces away from the road. Oh and the beautiful pier 40 was turned into a storage facility.

[Triple_Sim]

Originally Posted by Redddog

I totally agree that this isn't reality. My question is "why bother with these fantasy ghost projects?" What do they get out of that?

Helps boost the value of the site, gets exposure in local media, etc. I’d imagine if you don’t have the will or resources to develop such a nice site yourself, you’ll get more $$$ from it after showing that such a project would be welcomed / no NIMBYs issues. Doesn’t cost too much if it’s only rendering with no engineering and plans …