PHILADELPHIA | American Commerce Center | 1,510' Pinnacle / 1,210' Roof | 63 FLOORS

[We Got Five]

One would think such a bleak outlook for New Jersey would help persuade a company like to TD Bank North to look at other options...

http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2008/07/07/daily48.html?surround=lfn

[philatonian]

Originally Posted by kraggman

What exactly is Fumo's problem??

Just one of the old-world corrupt Philadelphia politicians clinging to their last shred of power. Wasn't he supposed to go to jail? I can't wait for the last of these old guys to be gone.

[SJPhillyBoy]

Originally Posted by We Got Five

Public hearing set for giant skyscraper
Philadelphia Business Journal - by Natalie Kostelni

The proposed American Commerce Center is set to go before the Philadelphia Planning Commission on Tuesday in what is expected to be a more thorough and formal presentation of the massive project.

The presentation by Walnut Street Capital to the planning commission comes nearly five months after the Philadelphia real estate firm announced its intentions to construct a mixed-use tower rising 1,500 feet and totaling 2.2 million square feet on a parking lot at 18th Street and Arch Street in Center City. It also comes after the developer has held dozens of meetings with neighbors, planning commission staff and conducted various impact studies. While the skyscraper will include office, retail, entertainment and hotel space, the developer will unveil plans that will show an extension of the SEPTA public transit concourse running from Suburban Station to 19th and Arch streets, said Peter Kelsen, a lawyer with Blank Rome who is representing Walnut Street.

An extended concourse will create an opportunity for other buildings to tie into it as well as an underground retail corridor. It's also not unlike what Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LRY) did with Comcast Center at 18th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. There the Malvern, Pa., real estate investment trust received $30 million in state infrastructure funds to offset the cost of that portion of the project.

Walnut Street would also seek out some public funds to support an expansion of the underground concourse.

The planning commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday is the first official and public review by the board. Aside from the developer, the building's architect, Gene Kohn of Kohn Pedersen Fox will also attend.

It's unlikely the planning commission will take any action, said Kelsen. He expects one or more meetings for the board to fully evaluate the project and make its recommendation.

Nice.

[flashflood]

This Tuesday, the American Commerce Center needs your help!

What: Help the Planning Commission see the widespread support for the ACC

When: Tuesday, July 15

Time: 1:00 PM

Where: 1515 Arch Street, 18th floor

By attending this meeting and showing your support for the ACC, you will help bring Philadelphia onto the world's stage as a leader in green development and forward thinking growth.

Please join us on Tuesday, July 15th at 1:00 PM.

[Swinefeld]

Proposed skyscraper takes steps forward
by solomon d. leach / metro philadelphia

JUL 14, 2008

Developers hoping to add another supersized skyscraper to the Philadelphia skyline will move forward tomorrow and meet with the city’s Planning Commission.

The American Commerce Center would be taller than the Comcast Center by more than 500 feet.

Walnut Street Capital, which is proposing the 1,500-foot American Commerce Center, is scheduled to make a formal presentation on their plan of development as a follow-up to an April informational meeting.

If constructed, the tower would be among the tallest in North America, although at least two projects already under way, including New York’s Freedom Tower, would be larger.

Developers have met with civic groups and area residents since announcing the plans five months ago, but would still need zoning approval from City Council. Councilman Darrell Clarke introduced legislation last month for the project, which will be taken up when Council resumes in the fall.

“The details of amenities of public benefits have been fleshed out,” said Peter Kelsen, the attorney representing Walnut Street.

American Commerce Center, which would cover 2.2 million square feet at 18th and Arch streets, is expected to combine retail, hotel, entertainment and office space. There has been expressed interest in the retail portion, Kelsen said, but he declined to reveal the companies.

Much like Comcast Center — the tower it would surpass in the city by more than 500 feet — Walnut Street’s project aims to extend the underground concourse and be certified as a green project.

[Swinefeld]

• Video Link

[Ninjawho]

LOL!


that is pure win swinefeld....

hahaha

[Swinefeld]

One of my all time fave movies too.

"I didn't know men could build such things."

[We Got Five]

Tomorrow is one of the most important days in Philadelphia's history. I wish WSC the best in their presentation.

Let's go ACC.

[TechTalkGuy]

I sincerely hope this tower gets approved for construction soon!

[Don098]

Originally Posted by fish

I sincerely hope this tower gets approved for construction soon!

So do the developers, I can imagine, as material costs continue to soar. They've already had to bump the price tag up $200 million, or another 25%.

[pwp]

Originally Posted by We Got Five

Tomorrow is one of the most important days in Philadelphia's history. I wish WSC the best in their presentation.

Let's go ACC.

Seriously. Good luck everyone.

[NYC4Life]

How can this tower have a roof height of 1,210 feet, yet only have 63 floors? Are the ceilings that high? In any case, this tower would dramatically change the Philadelphia skyline and greatly compliment the Comcast Center.

[cityguy]

With America's current economic problems,it's hard to believe this project will go ahead,maybe the next construction cycle.

[shakman]

Originally Posted by cityguy

With America's current economic problems,it's hard to believe this project will go ahead,maybe the next construction cycle.

(I' M BACK!!!)

I may not have posted in awhile but I have been keeping tab on things...

With the current economic cycle, it is quite possible this gets built. There plenty of other highrises under construction during the current economy.

[skyscraper]

Originally Posted by NYC4Life

How can this tower have a roof height of 1,210 feet, yet only have 63 floors? Are the ceilings that high? In any case, this tower would dramatically change the Philadelphia skyline and greatly compliment the Comcast Center.

this building will have a pretty substantial floor plate area. one thing that will facilitate its leed rating is to have high ceilings to allow daylight to reach as far into the building as possible. the higher the ceilings, the deeper into the building light gets. the comcast center has floor-floor heights over 17 feet, and has smaller floor areas, and is leed certified. the acc would have floor-floor heights over 19 feet with larger floor plates.

[skyscraper]

Originally Posted by cityguy

With America's current economic problems,it's hard to believe this project will go ahead,maybe the next construction cycle.

as I've said before, skyscraper economics 101 dictates that recessions/depressions are good times to build skyscrapers because labor is typically cheaper, materials are slightly cheaper (although labor is the governing cost)and because of the length of time it takes to build the building it will hopefully be completed as the economy is rebounding and needs buildings like this to accomodate that recovery (that is, expanded buisinesses, more residents, and tourists needing hotels, etc.).
the skyscrapers completed in Philadelphia in the late 80s/early 90s are testimony that boom times are bad times to build trophies like the mellon building and the bell atlantic building. they were occupied by their namesake companies but few others when they opened. when the local economy went sour in the early/mid 90s, those buildings did not fill up much (I don't have the exact occupancy numbers, just going by my recollection).

[SJPhillyBoy]

http://www.kyw1060.com/Panel-Reviews-Phila--Skyscraper-Proposal/2594640

Posted: Tuesday, 15 July 2008 2:11AM

Phila. Planning Panel Reviews Skyscraper Proposal

by KYW's Mike Dunn

The Philadelphia Planning Commission was taking its first hard look on Tuesday at plans for what could end up being the tallest building in the city -- a 63-story skyscraper proposed for 18th and Arch Streets, in center city.

Peter Kelsen, attorney for developers Walnut Street Capital, says the "American Commerce Center" would rise above the nearby Comcast Tower, with a spire that would rise to 1,500 feet:

"I think it would be about the fourth tallest building in North America."

And he says they'll pack a lot in to the project:

"It will involve retail commercial space, a five-star hotel, and a world-class office component. The office component will contain about 1.3 million square feet. And it's going to bring a tremendous amount of activity and architectural integrity to Philadelphia."

Underground, a concourse with more retail will connect with SEPTA's commuter concourse.

Kelsen (right) says they hope to attract as lead tenant an out-of-town corporation:

"Our intention is to use this building to attract a headquarters user from outside of Philadelphia. And there are expressions of interest from outside organizations that would like to look at Philadelphia as their headquarters city."

Unlike the construction of the Comcast Tower, these developers are not looking for city or state tax breaks, at least not yet. But residents of condos in the area are concerned that this would only add to traffic congestion, and a blocked skyline from their windows. They were expected to sound off to the Planning Commission on Tuesday.

More sessions are likely before the commission votes, and then the zoning questions will go to City Council.

(Graphics from Walnut Street Capital. Kelsen photo from Blank Rome.)

[Lecom]

But residents of condos in the area are concerned that this would only add to traffic congestion, and a blocked skyline from their windows.

Boo-hoo, cry me a river.

[aaron38]

Originally Posted by skyscraper

this building will have a pretty substantial floor plate area. one thing that will facilitate its leed rating is to have high ceilings to allow daylight to reach as far into the building as possible. the higher the ceilings, the deeper into the building light gets. the comcast center has floor-floor heights over 17 feet, and has smaller floor areas, and is leed certified. the acc would have floor-floor heights over 19 feet with larger floor plates.

Okay, so you save energy on lighting during daylight hours, but how do you heat it? Are there ceiling fans to keep the heat from being 10 feet above your head?
It seems to me that more energy will be spent pushing air around than would be needed for lighting. How is overall energy use lower?

That doesn't even include the energy needed to manufacture 6-7 additional feet of structure for every floor.