PHILADELPHIA | The Arbour House @ 708 Sansom | 414 FT | 35 FLOORS

[TK2001]

I'd presume they want those bigger panels on the base to reduce the future pollution coming out from the future space? To protect the historical buildings maybe?

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Inquizative

You mean like the Laurel on 19th & Walnut? If so, I believe it's a mistake. Why be suspended by the architectural character of the neighborhood? For aesthetic uniformity? The Laurel could have been so much more with the previous offered designs but now it appears to be a spin off of the Rittenhouse Hotel across the street, using similar materials. Why can't Philadelphia enjoy the modernization of new materials and design, something that exudes 2024? That's the beauty and character of an old city, a mix of the old and new. I like what's being offered, wish it was about 700 feet so we can see it from a distance.

The answer to all of your questions lies in the fact that we were robbed of two historic buildings standing on this site by Toll Bros.

[PurpleWhiteOut]

Some movement on the Jewelers Row tower:
https://www.phila.gov/media/20260721151602/124-126-S-7th-St-app.pdf

They submitted to the historic commission(lol) to tie in the two small storefronts at 124-126 S 7th st, seemingly for an improved lobby arrangement

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut

Some movement on the Jewelers Row tower:
https://www.phila.gov/media/20260721151602/124-126-S-7th-St-app.pdf

They submitted to the historic commission(lol) to tie in the two small storefronts at 124-126 S 7th st, seemingly for an improved lobby arrangement

I hope Pearl sticks with the warm color palette and doesn't opt for blue/gray.

I wonder if Pearl will have two towers U/C at once? I tend to doubt it.

[Justin7]

Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut

Some movement on the Jewelers Row tower:
https://www.phila.gov/media/20260721151602/124-126-S-7th-St-app.pdf

They submitted to the historic commission(lol) to tie in the two small storefronts at 124-126 S 7th st, seemingly for an improved lobby arrangement

I was worried the luxury SUVs might feel a little cramped. Good thing there are some more 19th century buildings to "not demolish."

[Raja]

Originally Posted by PurpleWhiteOut

Some movement on the Jewelers Row tower:
https://www.phila.gov/media/20260721151602/124-126-S-7th-St-app.pdf

They submitted to the historic commission(lol) to tie in the two small storefronts at 124-126 S 7th st, seemingly for an improved lobby arrangement

Look at the comparison between the 2024 plans and the current plans on page 3. It seems to me that they are now planning a vehicle elevator instead of a ramp to a parking deck. Does that suggest a higher-end building than originally planned?

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by Raja

Look at the comparison between the 2024 plans and the current plans on page 3. It seems to me that they are now planning a vehicle elevator instead of a ramp to a parking deck. Does that suggest a higher-end building than originally planned?

The plan was always luxury condos right? Perhaps, Pearl wants this tower to compete with The Laurel and Arthaus.

I hope it remains at least 34 stories per the plans I remember.

[BroadandMarket]

Obligatory fuck Toll Brothers.

[chimpskibot]

I can't find the thread, but my coworker, who lives nearby, said and some posts on IG showed crews working at the Jeweler's row site. Not sure if they were just shoring it up or work is hopefully imminent. Does anyone have any details?

[UrbanRevival]

Originally Posted by chimpskibot

I can't find the thread, but my coworker, who lives nearby, said and some posts on IG showed crews working at the Jeweler's row site. Not sure if they were just shoring it up or work is hopefully imminent. Does anyone have any details?

Lo and behold:

Pearl Properties is moving forward on Jewelers Row tower
Pearl Properties has recently begun forward on several major properties that had been paused in recent years.

by Jake Blumgart | Published July 22, 2026, 12:50 p.m. ET

For the first time in almost two years, Pearl Properties is making visible movement on its long-awaited Jewelers Row housing tower by requesting permission from the Historical Commission to alter two small protected buildings on the Seventh Street side of the project.

In 2022, the Philadelphia-based developer obtained the vacant land at 708 Sansom St. from Horsham-based Toll Brothers, which had sparked controversy — and seen their development delayed — by their eventually successful effort to demolish five buildings in the midst of the city’s historic diamond district.

After buying the property from Toll, Pearl Properties received a zoning permit on Sept. 24, 2024, for a 35-story tower, with 99 units, 50 parking spaces, and almost 1,500 square feet of commercial space.

Since then there has been no movement on the project, amid a difficult construction environment and a competitive multifamily market.

But earlier this month, Pearl Properties asked the Historical Commission for permission to demolish the rear sides of two one-story buildings facing Seventh Street, while preserving their facades as a pedestrian entrance to the tower’s parking garage.

“Due to many years of neglect, the buildings are in substantial disrepair,” Morris Clarke, director of operations of DAS Architects Inc., wrote in a letter to the commission on behalf of Pearl Properties.

“It is the applicant’s intention to restore both storefronts to their original form, so as to enable them to contribute to the streetscape experience and vibrancy of the immediate neighborhood rather than continuing to be a symbol of blight,” Clarke said.

...

https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/hou...ow-new-design-construction-20260722.html

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

The plan was always luxury condos right? Perhaps, Pearl wants this tower to compete with The Laurel and Arthaus.

I hope it remains at least 34 stories per the plans I remember.

Based on unit floor count (99 units, 35 floors) it appears to be a condo to me (fewer, larger units).

That makes sense IMO. From what I understand, absorption of high end units at the Laurel and Arthaus have accelerated significantly of late. There are also a handful of units at the Dilworth House building which have sold recently in the $5+MM range...a good sign for this location.

[BroadandMarket]

Let Pearl/Post/PMC take over all the prominent vacant lots in the city haha they get shit done. Disney Hole, Wendy's on Walnut, 11th and Sansom and Penn's Landing project. If the Kitchen Kapers lot remains, that'll be a really bad one too. I don't get why at a minimum we don't have mandatory construction walls like NYC. The Wendy's lot looks especially bad filled with trash, graffiti and weeds.

[Raja]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

Let Pearl/Post/PMC take over all the prominent vacant lots in the city haha they get shit done. Disney Hole, Wendy's on Walnut, 11th and Sansom and Penn's Landing project. If the Kitchen Kapers lot remains, that'll be a really bad one too. I don't get why at a minimum we don't have mandatory construction walls like NYC. The Wendy's lot looks especially bad filled with trash, graffiti and weeds.

The Durst/Penns Landing situation has me borderline enraged. Nevermind all the development in QV, Old City, and NoLibs--just look at the cap itself! Look at the Delaware River trail! Look at the Spruce Street marina! The park is obviously getting done, and it is obvious that it is going to be an instant success.

The time to build is now, while everything's already a mess. What the **** are they waiting for?!?!

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Raja

The Durst/Penns Landing situation has me borderline enraged. Nevermind all the development in QV, Old City, and NoLibs--just look at the cap itself! Look at the Delaware River trail! Look at the Spruce Street marina! The park is obviously getting done, and it is obvious that it is going to be an instant success.

The time to build is now, while everything's already a mess. What the **** are they waiting for?!?!

They're all infuriating but the Penn's landing one has me really pissed as well. The entire stretch is BOOMING from Fishtown right up to where Durst has control... then crickets. They have shown they give zero fvcks about waiting. They dismantled an entire marine - home to dozens - to "survey." Then, did nothing. Pulled the plug on 300 Columbus Blvd and what did they get for that? The DRWC awards them the rights for the Penns Landing build-out.

I hate this company on par with Goldenberg. The city should ban these two clown organizations from any further development in this town.

The ONLY stretch of Delaware Ave that is NOT moving on something is what is owned by Durst. And that is one of the most prominent stretches in the entire city.

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by Redddog

They're all infuriating but the Penn's landing one has me really pissed as well. The entire stretch is BOOMING from Fishtown right up to where Durst has control... then crickets. They have shown they give zero fvcks about waiting. They dismantled an entire marine - home to dozens - to "survey." Then, did nothing. Pulled the plug on 300 Columbus Blvd and what did they get for that? The DRWC awards them the rights for the Penns Landing build-out.

I hate this company on par with Goldenberg. The city should ban these two clown organizations from any further development in this town.

The ONLY stretch of Delaware Ave that is NOT moving on something is what is owned by Durst. And that is one of the most prominent stretches in the entire city.

For what it's worth, I don't think anyone could really build the Penn's Landing lot right now because that's where the DRWC moved the Summerfest/Winterfest rink and Ferris Wheel. But yeah the Durst property by Water Street is an embarrassment. That location is better than all of the other random apartments popping up further north up Delaware Ave. Luckily DRWC did not sell the lots to Durst by Penn's Landing so I'm sure they will search for new developers once they get further along with the capped park.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by BroadandMarket

For what it's worth, I don't think anyone could really build the Penn's Landing lot right now because that's where the DRWC moved the Summerfest/Winterfest rink and Ferris Wheel. But yeah the Durst property by Water Street is an embarrassment. That location is better than all of the other random apartments popping up further north up Delaware Ave. Luckily DRWC did not sell the lots to Durst by Penn's Landing so I'm sure they will search for new developers once they get further along with the capped park.

Agreed. I was SHOCKED when the DRWC awarded that bid to them. No doubt they get replaced when developing that spot becomes feasible. I agree that we're a WAYS away from that. The plans that were floated were suggestions anyway and we have yet to see anything concrete.