PHILADELPHIA | American Commerce Center | 1,510' Pinnacle / 1,210' Roof | 63 FLOORS - Page 74

OhGreatOne · #**1461** Posted **Sep 5, 2009, 8:29 PM**

I believe that A-Trains reference is to a "gentlemen's agreement that no skyscraper could be built that would be taller than the statue of William Penn, located on City Hall. the top of the statue is some 548 feet above street level. In the 1980's, several buildings were built that were in the 700 to 800 foot range, followed by One and Two Liberty Square, and more recently, the magnificent Comcast Tower. I, too would like to see this thing get built. It would be a fine addition to one of America's truly great cities.

Monsieur Goat · #**1462** Posted **Sep 5, 2009, 10:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The A Train

Wow.

Does the phrase "Gentlemen's Agreement" mean anything to you?

Sorry slip up there XD

Monsieur Goat · #**1463** Posted **Sep 5, 2009, 10:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theWatusi

you're wrong

gosh- so aggresive

justremember · #**1464** Posted **Sep 11, 2009, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monsieur Goat

Thats pretty much because (correct me if I am wrong) Philly had virtually no money until the 80s when the first skyscrapers started showing up.

Actually, as many have alluded to, somewhat of the opposite is true.

At the turn of the century, Philadelphia was constructing one of the most elaborate buildings in the world. Philadelphia's City Hall was built to be the tallest in the world, and if you go to it today, you'll realize that it's basically a museum in and of itself. When the building was complete, I believe only the Eiffel Tower and the Washington Monument were taller (I may be wrong, but this would have made City Hall the tallest BUILDING as opposed to just structures).

City Hall was such a dominate, important, and iconic building that it was decided, not by law but by the "gentleman's agreement" not to build buildings taller than City Hall. This is not a reflection of a lack of finances in Philadelphia, but of the grandeur of the city's main municipal building. Between the 1910s and the 1980s other buildings were build. The PSFS building comes to mind, which is considered by many to be the first building built in the international style.

So, Philadelphia's relative lack of height is do to historical tradition, and not this fake inferiority that some people like to paste on us.

I know I'm late on this, but some things really irk me.

Zapatan · #**1465** Posted **Sep 11, 2009, 4:01 AM**

bump

Zapatan · #**1466** Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 9:34 PM**

Was I imagining it or did I hear that there is supposed to be an observation deck in this tower?

apetrella802 · #**1467** Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 10:21 PM**

just one of the amazing things about city hall is that it is a totally load bearing masony structure(at 548 feet), an anachronism by the time it was finished since steel framed towers were developed during it's 30 year construction history. I give architectural tours for the Phila AIA(1218 Arch) and I have had the experience that architects are amazed at this feat.

cwd22 · #**1468** Posted **Sep 15, 2009, 1:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapatan

Was I imagining it or did I hear that there is supposed to be an observation deck in this tower?

They did add an observation deck to the plans a little while back.

Wheelingman04 · #**1469** Posted **Sep 15, 2009, 5:19 AM**

Yes there is an observation deck there. I was there back about 6 or 7 years ago.

philadelphiathrives · #**1470** Posted **Sep 15, 2009, 8:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by justremember

Actually, as many have alluded to, somewhat of the opposite is true.

At the turn of the century, Philadelphia was constructing one of the most elaborate buildings in the world. Philadelphia's City Hall was built to be the tallest in the world, and if you go to it today, you'll realize that it's basically a museum in and of itself. When the building was complete, I believe only the Eiffel Tower and the Washington Monument were taller (I may be wrong, but this would have made City Hall the tallest BUILDING as opposed to just structures).

City Hall was such a dominate, important, and iconic building that it was decided, not by law but by the "gentleman's agreement" not to build buildings taller than City Hall. This is not a reflection of a lack of finances in Philadelphia, but of the grandeur of the city's main municipal building. Between the 1910s and the 1980s other buildings were build. The PSFS building comes to mind, which is considered by many to be the first building built in the international style.

So, Philadelphia's relative lack of height is do to historical tradition, and not this fake inferiority that some people like to paste on us.

I know I'm late on this, but some things really irk me.

It was also geography. Philadelphia's mainland and mostly flat geography made really tall buildings less necessary. And the TV and radio towers were placed on the hills of Roxborough.

Also, the city's industrial economy caused a lot of manufacturing to be along the rail lines, and the manufacturers usually liked to have their headquarters in, or next to, their factories. Comparisons to Manhattan's development are not only tiresome, but specious because of Manhattan's very different geography: being an island surrounded by a lot of water and an economy that revolved around the port.

Zapatan · #**1471** Posted **Sep 15, 2009, 9:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelingman04

Yes there is an observation deck there. I was there back about 6 or 7 years ago.

You were on the observation deck of a tower that doesn't exist yet?

You must have some kind of superpowers

Anyways I've searched all over and can't find that much information on this building, which may not be a bad thing, it's already been approved and everything. But does anyone have any info. whether this thing is actually moving foward or not? That would be most helpful.

Wheelingman04 · #**1472** Posted **Sep 16, 2009, 1:11 AM**

^ I thought the person was talking about city hall? Dah. It was late at night, OK.

hammersklavier · #**1473** Posted **Sep 16, 2009, 3:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapatan

You were on the observation deck of a tower that doesn't exist yet?

You must have some kind of superpowers

Anyways I've searched all over and can't find that much information on this building, which may not be a bad thing, it's already been approved and everything. But does anyone have any info. whether this thing is actually moving foward or not? That would be most helpful.

planphilly.com, phillyskyline.com, acctower.com are most helpful...

You're going to have to trawl Phillyskyline, though, the original article dates from April of '07.

ethereal_reality · #**1474** Posted **Sep 16, 2009, 7:57 PM**

Since the recent posts have been about Philadelphia's City Hall,
I thought you Philadelphians might like to see this really cool graphic.

unknown

phillyscooter · #**1475** Posted **Sep 16, 2009, 9:25 PM**

Wow-ZA! Where can you get your hands on a poster size version of that? so cool!!!

er, 19/20th c.

ethereal_reality · #**1476** Posted **Sep 16, 2009, 11:00 PM**

^^^I don't know phillyscooter/ but I would try your historical society.
I've had this in my computer files for quite some time.

Funny, I almost didn't post it.
I'm glad I did.