PHILADELPHIA | EVO @ Cira Centre South | 407 FT | 33 FLRS | U/C - Page 10

highdensity32 · #**181** Posted **Mar 31, 2008, 6:58 PM**

Thanks for the scans. The Walnut St tower looks really sharp - it would be a great addition to University City and the Philly skyline. I am not sure I like the Chestnut St. tower - it looks to be too much of a clone of Cira One rather than complementing the Walnut St tower like it should.

tua21506 · #**182** Posted **Mar 31, 2008, 9:19 PM**

From today...

Maybe someday these will be covered with a park...

Don098 · #**183** Posted **Mar 31, 2008, 11:12 PM**

One can only hope...

adrgtr8 · #**184** Posted **Apr 1, 2008, 5:02 AM**

I always thought from earlier renderings that the shorter residential tower looked too much like the original Cira, taking away from that tower's uniqueness. These new renders show it blending in more with the striped scheme for the taller mixed-use tower.

I still don't quite understand why Brandywine didn't do something with the extra part over the train tracks next to Schuykill Ave.? It would seem like they had some sort of hangup with Amtrak because they clearly try to deemphasize that gap in the renderings with pictures angled to make it seem that the buildings are in fact closer or right up to the street. It doesn't seem like they would do this big project and oversee the chance to build on that block. Clearly they know its there and ought to be used, and yet they aren't building on it. Was it that much more expensive to extend a platform over that section after the rest of this project, or is there some other reason?

Lastly, I can't help but envisioning the Phils ballpark when I see that huge empty railyard in the background. What a missed opportunity for both the team and the city. Imagine Howard hitting homers in into the Schuykill.

UCityGardener · #**185** Posted **Apr 1, 2008, 2:34 PM**

Brandywine is leasing the property from Penn who purchased it from the US. Postal Service. The Penn deal with the postal service covered the old post-office, the annex, and the lands to the south of Walnut Street - 24 acres in all.

The air rights for developing over the Amtrak tracks were not part of the Penn deal. I'm not sure why Brandywine didn't try to obtain those rights, but it may have been too costly, or it may have been to complicated to tie one project to land owned by 2 different entities and covered by 2 different lease agreements

cjPhilly · #**186** Posted **Apr 2, 2008, 6:00 PM**

I am sure they didn't get the air rights because it would be ridiculously expensive for a relatively small amount of area (translate: not much additional revenue generating square footage). I am sure it must be tough negotiating with AMTRAK to begin with, but the cost of erecting a platform over those active NE Corridor tracks would far outweigh the benefits. I, personally, think it would make a big difference, but I can understand why they wouldn't want to do it.

Don098 · #**187** Posted **Apr 2, 2008, 7:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjPhilly

I am sure they didn't get the air rights because it would be ridiculously expensive for a relatively small amount of area (translate: not much additional revenue generating square footage). I am sure it must be tough negotiating with AMTRAK to begin with, but the cost of erecting a platform over those active NE Corridor tracks would far outweigh the benefits. I, personally, think it would make a big difference, but I can understand why they wouldn't want to do it.

Yea the cost would be astronomical comparatively. Just look at Boston's big dig and their issues with the railroad tracks. However, this is why you need planners to give perspective to businessmen only concerned about profits and unconcerned about anything else. You need the balance. And a smart businessman would recognize that the building doesn't look particularly enticing to potential tenants, hotel guests, and pedestrian shoppers when the railroad tracks are right below and you can see the scaffolding holding the building up. If a place doesn't look inviting, not as many people will notice it or know whether or not it's open etc. So actually, building a platform is probably in their best business interests...it's not all about numbers.

tua21506 · #**188** Posted **Apr 4, 2008, 2:42 AM**

The demo is really starting to come along now....I don't have a photo of it but they were starting to work on the area around that hideous bridge between the annex and the main building....hopefully that is coming down...

winxs · #**189** Posted **Apr 4, 2008, 3:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tua21506

The demo is really starting to come along now....I don't have a photo of it but they were starting to work on the area around that hideous bridge between the annex and the main building....hopefully that is coming down...

Yes, it is coming down. In the drawings that I saw last fall, a "new" bridge was depicted connecting the Post Office (IRS Center) with the parking garage, but I do not see that bridge in any of the renderings on the Brandywine site... In fact, the Chestnut St Tower is situated between the garage and the IRS Center. I do not know if the Chestnut tower will use the northern end of the garage as a podium...it doesn't look like it.

bucks native · #**190** Posted **Apr 4, 2008, 3:17 PM**

Looks like our $35/sq ft does have appeal.

April 4, 2008

BlackRock may be mulling significant move to Cira South

Philadelphia Business Journal - by Natalie Kostelni Staff Writer

A giant investment management firm is reportedly considering relocating an asset management operation to Cira South, a proposed building in University City.

BlackRock Inc. is reviewing whether to move roughly 300,000 square feet or more and an estimated 800 employees to the building, according to people familiar with the matter.

Such a move by a company of that stature and with that many high-paying jobs would be a boon to Philadelphia and solidify Cira Centre and its sister building, Cira South, as a financial services hub for the city. Cira Centre is already home to several high-profile money management firms. A deal would also shore up the office portion of Cira South for Brandywine Realty Trust, developer of the complex.

Cira South, a mixed-use project, would have between 400,000 and 500,000 square feet of office space. The University of Pennsylvania has already committed to a portion of the structure.

volguus zildrohar · #**191** Posted **Apr 4, 2008, 3:26 PM**

Good deal on the scans. I don't know where 900 feet came from either.

I'm really digging on these public green roofs. ACC (at least one for building visitors) and CSS...nice consolation prizes for folks who needs decks and can't get them

SJPhillyBoy · #**192** Posted **Apr 4, 2008, 3:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucks native

April 4, 2008

BlackRock may be mulling significant move to Cira South

A deal would also shore up the office portion of Cira South for Brandywine Realty Trust, developer of the complex.

To me, it sounds like if BlackRock does commit itself to the office space portion of CiraSouth, the large 700 to 800 foot tower of the project would be "a go".

Capsule F · #**193** Posted **Apr 4, 2008, 4:20 PM**

I'm hearing a lot fo good news today across the boards. This is an exciting day.

phillyskyline · #**194** Posted **Apr 4, 2008, 4:47 PM**

BlackRock is headquarted in NY, so this would be a huge boost to the region! I really hope it comes to fruition.

vmx · #**195** Posted **Apr 6, 2008, 4:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyskyline

BlackRock is headquarted in NY, so this would be a huge boost to the region! I really hope it comes to fruition.

Also, PNC owns 33% of the Blackrock... I think another 33% is owned by Merrill Lynch. There is already a big presence of PNC in the city, so maybe Merrill will be interested too?