PHILADELPHIA | FMC Tower @ Cira Centre South | 736 FT | 49 FLOORS

[christof]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

I'm not (disappointed, that is). That's part of Penn's campus proper, albeit at the northeast corner, and will define the beginning of campus for those entering at that northeast corner. Indeed, Penn explicitly characterizes it as a new campus "gateway." AND, it will be part of Penn's "college house" system--with resident faculty, classrooms, dining, and activity centers--specifically for undergraduates, including many if not mostly freshmen. With the exception of the high rises on the western end of Penn's campus--each of which is surrounded by a tremendous amount of classic, campus-like open space (and which are architecturally among the least-favorite Penn buildings for virtually all Penn students and alumni)--the predominantly graduate-student housing of Sansom Place, and the Penn Medicine district on the southeast corner, the scale of Penn's core campus is relatively low-rise.

I know we all love tall buildings (hence our presence on this Board), and the mid- and high-rise development immediately north of Penn's campus is wonderful for the continued growth of University City and the seamless interweaving of it with Center City, but I'd hate to see Penn's campus proper become more urban and high-rise. It's the very presence of this leafy, 300-acre, park-like, Ivy League campus in the midst of--and increasingly cheek by jowl with--the more urban mid- and high-rise development to the immediate north and east that helps to make University City--and by extension nearby Center City--so unique and attractive a neighborhood among all US cities, and contributes to Penn's uniqueness and appeal to potential students among its Ivy League and other peers. All in my humble opinion, of course.

I love to know what Penn is planning for the parking lot on the north side of Chestnut, between 34th and new Drexel hotel. That is really the alrgest remaining open piece of property left on Penn's campus (not including Penn Park).