PHILADELPHIA | W Hotel & Element by Westin | 617 FT | 51 FLOORS

[Thoroughbred]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Pic I took from today. Asked a suit on site who said they were relocating utilities and then bracing the foundation of the building next door and then excavation will be commencing. The parking lot will not be reopening

Very reliable sources have told me that, indeed, the work underway now is strictly limited to relocating utilities....unfortunately, the lot will be re-opened in a couple of weeks...financing is not yet in place..

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Thoroughbred

Very reliable sources have told me that, indeed, the work underway now is strictly limited to relocating utilities....unfortunately, the lot will be re-opened in a couple of weeks...financing is not yet in place..

Ugh...really? That is awful. Why are they even doing that part now?

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

Ugh...really? That is awful. Why are they even doing that part now?

And why would they put up the L&I sign with the rendering, which indicates to the contrary (i.e., that the actual building IS now under construction)? That really makes no sense, and would actually MISLEAD the public--which is the exact opposite of what those signs are supposed to do.

Just to refresh everyone's memory, the L&I-mandated sign is very explicit, and is clearly not something you'd put up for only a few weeks just to move utilities, and if you aren't even sure that you'll even have financing for the actual building. Unless, perhaps, the document at the bottom to the left of the rendering indicates that they're only doing utility work? Maybe someone can go by and take a closer look at that (and perhaps even get a close-up photo)?



Photo credit: MikeNigh

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

And why would they put up the L&I sign with the rendering, which indicates to the contrary (i.e., that the actual building IS now under construction)? That really makes no sense, and would actually MISLEAD the public--which is the exact opposite of what those signs are supposed to do.

Yeah, I'm not ready to believe that this is tabled based on whatever information was provided to Thoroughbred...I myself am having a drink with a very reliable source next week who knows what's going on with this project. I will report back.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

Yeah, I'm not ready to believe that this is tabled based on whatever information was provided to Thoroughbred...I myself am having a drink with a very reliable source next week who knows what's going on with this project. I will report back.

See the paragraph--and especially the sentences in bold font--that I added to my post while you were posting.

[McBane]

If the anticipated completion date in the L&I sign is a reliable indicator, then this should be the preliminary site prep activity. For context, RATR began construction in June 2006 and was completed in Jan 2009 = 30 months. October 2017 is about 32 months away. The work being done is consistent with that timeframe. The question is, how reliable is that sign?

One point to consider: Museum Towers II has not yet broken ground but the L&I sign on that site has an anticipated completion date of August 2016 (which does not seem very realistic). http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=6910450

EDIT: W Hotel's website shows the Philadelphia location as opening in Jan 2018. I suppose if the building is completed by October, they need time to hire and train staff, purchase furnishings, and have some buffer time in case there are delays? http://deal.whotels.com/?PS=LGEN_AA_DNAD_CGGL_TBRD Is this a new development? I don't recall the Philadelphia W being on the website before.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by McBane

If the anticipated completion date in the L&I sign is a reliable indicator, then this should be the preliminary site prep activity. For context, RATR began construction in June 2006 and was completed in Jan 2009 = 30 months. October 2017 is about 32 months away. The work being done is consistent with that timeframe. The question is, how reliable is that sign?

One point to consider: Museum Towers II has not yet broken ground but the L&I sign on that site has an anticipated completion date of August 2016 (which does not seem very realistic). http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=6910450

EDIT: W Hotel's website shows the Philadelphia location as opening in Jan 2018. I suppose if the building is completed by October, they need time to hire and train staff, purchase furnishings, and have some buffer time in case there are delays? http://deal.whotels.com/?PS=LGEN_AA_DNAD_CGGL_TBRD Is this a new development? I don't recall the Philadelphia W being on the website before.

No, that opening date for the Philly W has been on the website for awhile. At least a couple months. I really don't know WHAT is going on with this project or what to think. I'm going to try and find out next week. For now, I guess I will enjoy the other towers going up and all the other great Philly projects.

[spacevator]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

And why would they put up the L&I sign with the rendering, which indicates to the contrary (i.e., that the actual building IS now under construction)? That really makes no sense, and would actually MISLEAD the public--which is the exact opposite of what those signs are supposed to do.

Just to refresh everyone's memory, the L&I-mandated sign is very explicit, and is clearly not something you'd put up for only a few weeks just to move utilities, and if you aren't even sure that you'll even have financing for the actual building. Unless, perhaps, the document at the bottom to the left of the rendering indicates that they're only doing utility work? Maybe someone can go by and take a closer look at that (and perhaps even get a close-up photo)?



Photo credit: MikeNigh

the Phillymag article states that the January 2015 update to the construction permit is for, among other things, a mat slab foundation...pretty significant.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by spacevator

the Phillymag article states that the January 2015 update to the construction permit is for, among other things, a mat slab foundation...pretty significant.

True. I'd still love to know what's on that L&I permit on the sign. If I were in Center City right now, I'd go over there and take a look myself (and snap a photo for you guys).

[MikeNigh]

Sorry forgot I don't need to be at home to get images off the phone

[MetroSplash]

Busy day today. Every new hole brings us one step closer to building this thing. (Sorry about the reflections, but it's too cold to actually open the window to take pictures.)

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

Sorry forgot I don't need to be at home to get images off the phone

MikeNigh to the rescue, once again!

So, to reiterate, posting this sign and permit with the intention of only doing some utility work and then reopening the parking lot--and with project funding not yet in place and the project not yet assured--would violate the letter and the spirit of the new L&I regulations regarding these signs, in my (legal) opinion.

[iheartphilly]

It's more than just utility work. The posted permit is for the work leading to a mat slab foundation which is significant in the start of the construction of this project. Keep in mind the cost to achieve this part of the construction is $11.5 million.

Also, a basic way of defining the mat slab foundation below.

Mat-slab foundations, also called on-grade mat foundations for expansive soils, are used to distribute heavy column and wall loads across the entire building area, to lower the contact pressure compared to conventional spread footings. Mat-slab foundations can be constructed near the ground surface, or at the bottom of basements. In high-rise buildings, mat-slab foundations can be several meters thick, with extensive reinforcing to ensure relatively uniform load transfer.

[boxbot]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

It's more than just utility work. The posted permit is for the work leading to a mat slab foundation which is significant in the start of the construction of this project. Keep in mind the cost to achieve this part of the construction is $11.5 million.

My questions, then, are 1)whether they would start this aspect of the work if all the funding to build the tower was not in place and 2)if they would ever repave a parking lot over completed foundation work.

I suspect the answer to both is in the negative, but I'm not exactly an expert.

[McBane]

You can also view on L&I website: http://www.phila.gov/data/Pages/default.aspx?entity=locationhistory&eid=752420

Unfortunately, it does not mention anything about constructing a building. Look at this permit from 1601 Vine: http://www.phila.gov/data/Pages/default.aspx?entity=permits&eid=567365

I suppose a permit can still be pulled for the construction but as of now, there is not one filed w/ L&I.

[loves development]

It would be my guess that if this was full bore, there would be a full construction fence on site along with vacated parking on the northside with concrete barriers on Chestnut st. Plus Parkway would have removed the parking booth.

I thought financing was in place, as several posts referenced above?

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by loves development

It would be my guess that if this was full bore, there would be a full construction fence on site along with vacated parking on the northside with concrete barriers on Chestnut st. Plus Parkway would have removed the parking booth.

I thought financing was in place, as several posts referenced above?

The parking booth at the new Comcast Tower site wasn't removed until a few weeks into excavation. 1919 Market also went through the same process. They dug a small hole to relocate utilities and brace the IBX parking garage, then filled that hole in. Then two or so weeks later they began with foundation work.

I asked a suit on site who said they were relocating utilities then bracing the foundation next door and then foundation construction would commence. I would imagine this guy would know what he was talking about.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by summersm343

I asked a suit on site who said they were relocating utilities then bracing the foundation next door and then foundation construction would commence. I would imagine this guy would know what he was talking about.

Depends. What brand of suit was it?

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

Depends. What brand of suit was it?

Couldn't tell! He was wearing a coat over it! Lol.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Couldn't tell! He was wearing a coat over it! Lol.

Then how do you even know he was wearing a suit??? Ha! Gotcha!