PHILADELPHIA | 21st & Ludlow | 334 FT | 28 FLOORS

[Radio5]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

Archive has some nice projects. I wonder if they are equipped for a tower?
This parcel deserves a 400'+ tower, not a squat 5-10 story building.

Parkway Corp. sells prime Center City site to local developer
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia...-sells-development-site-21st-ludlow.html

An entity affiliated with Ryan Kalili bought the property at 14-30 S. 21st St. on the southwest corner of 21st and Ludlow streets, according to industry sources. Kalili is a co-founder of local real estate firm Archive Development, but sources said the acquisition was made independent of Archive.

Parkway operates a surface parking lot at the property. It previously had plans for a 31-story apartment tower on the site but the project was called off in 2023 due to high interest rates and construction costs.

The property is in a CMX-4 zone, which allows for a combination of residential and commercial uses.

A potential project at 21st and Ludlow streets would be Kalili’s first major downtown development.

Makes sense as their next step having done a slew of 4-8 story. Either way, you know it's going to be a well designed building.

Also, their website doesn't work anymore. Wonder if they had a bad split up, or just a refresh...

[chimpskibot]

Originally Posted by Radio5

Makes sense as their next step having done a slew of 4-8 story. Either way, you know it's going to be a well designed building.

Also, their website doesn't work anymore. Wonder if they had a bad split up, or just a refresh...

Yes I am pretty sure archive is its own entity and some of the founders/members have started a new development firm called eclipse.
https://www.eclipsedevelopment.com/

[Arch+Eng]

So I guess this means the 21st and Ludlow tower is officially dead.
Shame

[mcgrath618]

What are some examples of other Archive projects? Can't say I'm familiar.

I'll give this thread a day or two for added discussion about the sale and speculation on next steps, but I'll probably lock it afterwards.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

What are some examples of other Archive projects? Can't say I'm familiar.

I'll give this thread a day or two for added discussion about the sale and speculation on next steps, but I'll probably lock it afterwards.

Smaller-scale development, but nice projects... Of note, One Frankford and Coral House and 1921 Green Street.

This potential project in CC would be their biggest endeavor (if they opt for that route). I don't think the numbers would pencil out, but if they could produce a 20-40 story building partially clad in masonry, that would be amazing.

[PurpleWhiteOut]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

What are some examples of other Archive projects? Can't say I'm familiar.

I'll give this thread a day or two for added discussion about the sale and speculation on next steps, but I'll probably lock it afterwards.

https://www.instagram.com/archivedevelopment

Pretty much everything they've developed as been a CANNO design which has me really interested. Something One Frankfords scale plus a few extra floors would be short but still appropriate here. I'd love to see CANNO tackle a tower project

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut

https://www.instagram.com/archivedevelopment

Pretty much everything they've developed as been a CANNO design which has me really interested. Something One Frankfords scale plus a few extra floors would be short but still appropriate here. I'd love to see CANNO tackle a tower project

I think that's a stretch to hope for a high-rise. They'd be changing their stripes if they did. They are 5 story guys.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Redddog

I think that's a stretch to hope for a high-rise. They'd be changing their stripes if they did. They are 5 story guys.

Agreed, but a CANNO highrise... wouldn't that be a sight?

I'd take a 12-20 story building here if it meant that it was thoughtfully designed by the people who I consider to be the finest architects in the region. In fact, I'd take that over a 500 footer.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Agreed, but a CANNO highrise... wouldn't that be a sight?

I'd take a 12-20 story building here if it meant that it was thoughtfully designed by the people who I consider to be the finest architects in the region. In fact, I'd take that over a 500 footer.

Oh totally!! Those guys are the best in town for sure. I'd say that the area calls for at least 20 stories and I'd be thrilled to see those guys get into that space. But I'll take a sweet 5 story Canno project of that footprint anywhere in the city.

[PurpleWhiteOut]

One Frankford is already 7 stories, and while not my favorite end result 545 N Broad is 9 stories. It's not hard to imagine CANNO tackling something between 10-15. Stable Lofts was a pretty sizable project as well

[PHLtoNYC]

I guess we can keep the thread going!

A bit bummed about 12-stories on a visible plot, but if this is as high quality as the article suggests, then I'll happily take it.

Almost 200 high-end apartments are slated for 21st and Ludlow in Center City
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/com...ActionId=automated_most_read_hp#cxrecs_s

At a moment when few ambitious new real estate projects are being announced, a newly formed company called Eclipse Development is planning a 12-story, 190-unit building at 26 South 21st Street in Center City.

Previously the two men were associated with Archive Development, which is known for developing smaller apartment complexes — often dominated by studios — in the Fishtown area.

“We’ve always wanted to do a higher end project, a taller building with nicer finishes,” said Dinan. “We really want to design something that we’re not just proud of, but that’s an extension of ourselves and our vision for what high end apartment living in Philadelphia can be.”

The project would be outfitted with underground parking, a second-story restaurant with an outdoor patio, and a 16,000-square-foot ground floor retail space — not including accompanying loading dock — which they anticipate attracting a national retailer.

“It’s going to be a very high-end and expensive product,” said Kalili. “But Philadelphia is uniquely positioned because a lot of young professionals here can still afford the luxury of having a one bedroom to themselves, when you compare it to other major East Coast cities.”

Eclipse plans to break ground at 26 South 21st Street this year. And the parking lot isn’t the only Center City acquisition they have made recently.

[mcgrath618]

I love residential! Hate parking. So much wasted effort going towards parking that could be going towards more units.

[bdurk]

Hate to see a prime lot like this just be 12 stories in 2025

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by bdurk

Hate to see a prime lot like this just be 12 stories in 2025

I too prefer a 30+ story tower, but what if it turns out to look something like this or this?...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.76727,-7...MDMyMy4wIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNjQwSAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.74827,-7...MDMyMy4wIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNjQwSAFQAw%3D%3D

I don't quite expect the Armani Building, but it's 12 stories and stunning in person.

[skyhigh07]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

I too prefer a 30+ story tower, but what if it turns out to look something like this or this?...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.76727,-7...MDMyMy4wIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNjQwSAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.74827,-7...MDMyMy4wIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNjQwSAFQAw%3D%3D

I don't quite expect the Armani Building, but it's 12 stories and stunning in person.

Yeah same. I prefer quality and infill over height anymore.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Agreed, but a CANNO highrise... wouldn't that be a sight?

I'd take a 12-20 story building here if it meant that it was thoughtfully designed by the people who I consider to be the finest architects in the region. In fact, I'd take that over a 500 footer.

100% agree. I tell anyone who hasn’t been to make it a priority to visit cities in Europe and I promise you’ll stop caring about high rises and skyscrapers. Thoughtfully designed buildings and high quality human scaled street interaction is all I care about anymore.

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by summersm343

100% agree. I tell anyone who hasn’t been to make it a priority to visit cities in Europe and I promise you’ll stop caring about high rises and skyscrapers. Thoughtfully designed buildings and high quality human scaled street interaction is all I care about anymore.

100%. Skyscrapers are cool but when you go to Miami and Austin and see all these skyscrapers built on 20 floor parking podiums with no street level retail, it's not better than DC's endless 12 floor density. That being said, I definitely think the Delaware waterfront should have a few of those...

[reparcsyks]

Originally Posted by summersm343

100% agree. I tell anyone who hasn’t been to make it a priority to visit cities in Europe and I promise you’ll stop caring about high rises and skyscrapers. Thoughtfully designed buildings and high quality human scaled street interaction is all I care about anymore.

1000000%. Look at Barcelona, it's the same size as Philly and it's almost impossible to compare the urbanity of both. Yes, Philly has a more impressive skyline, but that's about it.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by summersm343

100% agree. I tell anyone who hasn’t been to make it a priority to visit cities in Europe and I promise you’ll stop caring about high rises and skyscrapers. Thoughtfully designed buildings and high quality human scaled street interaction is all I care about anymore.

Roma caput mundi.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Roma caput mundi.

Carpe diem. Caveat emptor. Res ipsa loquitur.

I can do that, too.