PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX - Page 38

Kidphilly · #**741** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 9:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILovePhilly

It looks like its evoking 1616 Walnut (which is going by The Icon now)

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6093806&postcount=58

skyscraper · #**742** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 9:52 PM**

They need to put a miniature Billy Penn statue on top.

Initially, I was a little taken aback by this, and not in a good way. I thought it lacked grace, that the setbacks at the top were a little aggressive, and that the cross-bracings seemed overbearing. But the more I look at the renderings, especially the cross-section, the more I like it. This is going to be a very sophisticated building, one that will require more study.
Prediction: Inga hates it.

PhiLaw · #**743** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 9:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidphilly

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6093806&postcount=58

It's a more asymmetrical Tower III with neo-deco elements. I love it. I'm glad it's not 1 whoppinh 1,400 ft. The prominence of our other tall buildings remain.

relnahe · #**744** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 9:55 PM**

I like the design but I thought there was something missing and realized it was something I've never said before about a skyscraper....the spire/antenna needs to be taller!

I usually hate antenna's or excessively large spires as I always think they look like ugly add-ons. But for this one I think the addition should be about 80-100ft taller.

PhiLaw · #**745** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 9:56 PM**

BTW I am absolutely convinced that Corbett's release of the school funds were because of the pending announcement. $ 30 million in state funding/$10million in city funding would have galvanized too much negative publicity for Comcast, who probably asked Corbett to "see what he can do" about the school district issue.

ILovePhilly · #**746** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 9:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by relnahe

I like the design but I thought there was something missing and realized it was something I've never said before about a skyscraper....the spire/antenna needs to be taller!

I usually hate antenna's or excessively large spires as I always think they look like ugly add-ons. But for this one I think the addition should be about 80-100ft taller.

I thought so to BUT I think the understated height of this spire adds positively to the Art Deco flair. If the spire were taller it wouldn't have the same classic 1920s proportion in the top section.

Londonee · #**747** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 10:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraper

Prediction: Inga hates it.

She may not gush about it, but I doubt she'll hate it. She generally nit-picks Jane Jacobsian things--curb cuts, blank street wall, poor pedestrian experience, etc.--and less architectural design unless it's truly disharmonious (eg. Symphony House).

Foster thinks through his designs so incredibly deeply and the way they're talking about the building at ground level and beyond as a "room"--an extension of the city that draws people in and through it? Unless the Arch Street experience (not sure if we see that in the renders) is incredibly poorly integrated, I can't imagine she'll be too critical.

This is, in fact, Lord Foster.

sayitaintso · #**748** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 10:08 PM**

This building was meant to be viewed from the river. It's starting to grow on me from that angle. The neo-art deco really pops. Are there other examples of neo art deco on this scale in modern architecture/skyscrapers?

skyscraper · #**749** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 10:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Londonee

She may not gush about it, but I doubt she'll hate it. She generally nit-picks Jane Jacobsian things--curb cuts, blank street wall, poor pedestrian experience, etc.--and less architectural design unless it's truly disharmonious (eg. Symphony House).

Foster thinks through his designs so incredibly deeply and the way they're talking about the building at ground level and beyond as a "room"--an extension of the city that draws people in and through it? Unless the Arch Street experience (not sure if we see that in the renders) is incredibly poorly integrated, I can't imagine she'll be too critical.

This is, in fact, Lord Foster.

I love Foster, and I agree with you about how he thinks through his designs. And she can be incredibly picayune about what she decides to criticize.

ps: I'm glad you said that about Symphony House. My thesis project was a mixed use skyscraper for that site, just before SH was built. One of my jurors was one of the architects of SH. At the risk of sounding less than objective, I think my building was much better.

summersm343 · #**750** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 10:28 PM**

Love the height. Hoping for a redesign. Something skinnier would be nice. Don't know why they didn't stick with the two towers plan. A skinnier tower would probably make this look better and have a taller roof height.

Oh... And screw all the haters that doubted my insight haha. And sayitaintso's for that matter as well

flyflyfly · #**751** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 10:35 PM**

Don't forget that this building is being designed with a very well thought-out INTERIOR spacial philosophy, rather than being a generic office building to house law firms, banks, consultants, etc. Too much height or multiple towers would disrupt the idea that these creative people are supposed to be working in close proximity and seamlessly. Too many floors or multiple towers would quarantine off from one another and defeat this philosophy.

volguus zildrohar · #**752** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 10:39 PM**

I love the asymmetrical character of the building - a rarity for a tall Philadelphia structure. The renderings give the building a bulky look but thinking of the size of the plot it isn't going to be much wider than Comcast Center. Visually, which is about as much as any of us are going to be interacting with the building, it's not bad.

The nerd in me kind of wishes they went for that 70-story mark.

iheartphilly · #**753** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 10:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyflyfly

Don't forget that this building is being designed with a very well thought-out INTERIOR spacial philosophy, rather than being a generic office building to house law firms, banks, consultants, etc. Too much height or multiple towers would disrupt the idea that these creative people are supposed to be working in close proximity and seamlessly. Too many floors or multiple towers would quarantine off from one another and defeat this philosophy.

Honestly, this is a very 'industrial' looking design and something pretty different for the brethren of Philly's highrises. It took us this long to get a Supertall and a multibillion dollar company to do so. Philly should be proud to have this in its backyard.

Chriss · #**754** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 10:55 PM**

I think it needs for the lower part of the building to come a little further towards the existing CC, so that there's a step-back along that axis as well. That would really accentuate the art deco elements and make more of a contrast with the core/spire at the other end.

acenturi · #**755** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 11:10 PM**

This whole discussion about the spire is certainly not a precedent in Height advertising:
Willis Tower 376 Spire
1WTC 424 Foot Spire
BofA Plaza (Atlanta) 107 Foot Open Frame to reach 1040 Ft
Wilshire Grand (LA) 166 Foot Spire to reach 1100 Ft
AND if anyone thinks this design is less than great, have a look at the WGLA.

Even though this is a building Forum, IMO, the key aspect of this development is that it's being scoped as a VERTICAL SILICONE VALLEY and that is really the biggest potential increment for the city. Placing a 4 Seasons on top was a stroke of genius as it will provide for a 24 hour capture of visiting Comcast employees. Unfortunately, it may also make it very difficult for outsiders to book during the week.

I'd love to see Google take 5-10 Floors or this.

Salonica city · #**756** Posted **Jan 15, 2014, 11:19 PM**

I just think igna acts alot like a nimby. So it really doesn't matter what she says at least to me i gave up on her after discovering this thread. I love the fact that we are breaking one thousand feet folks!!! And when I got a hint from one of the photographers from Comcast and summer confirmed that it would be over 1000 alot of people said it was a pipe dream but no more my friends the standards for this city have drastically changed after this go Philly !!! What a great day there will be cranes in the sky for a while and kudos to four seasons for there new amazing location what a great idea to put a hotel there .