PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX - Page 413

RonnieStevens · #**8241** Posted **Jul 31, 2015, 2:24 PM**

Since Philly is growing so fast and the immediate downtown keeps spreading we do need to keep in mind that a few years ago the lots between 18th and 20th along Arch were essentially the North Western border of the so called financial district. Now with CITC, possibility of the 3rd Comcast tower and inevitable development of the lot with AVIS CAR rental, 1900 Market will be a college dorm like structure surrounded by architectural giants. Its definitely better than a parking lot; but we could have probably had something nicer there to fit in with the overall grandiosity of the cities tallest structures at the moment. Just my 2 cents

br323206 · #**8242** Posted **Jul 31, 2015, 2:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ePlanningPhila

I was the original poster regarding the PMC riverwalk purchase and the concern over their potential development at the site, because the parcel is highly visible from 30th St. Station and their track record for quality development is abysmal. Seeing how the comment sparked a wide ray of involvement on this topic, I can firmly state, design aesthetics in this city need to be addressed.

Government does have the power to dictate design principles. There are hundreds of municipalities across the nation that do this.

Example: I have family who lives in Phoenix (sprawl city). I do not particularly like Phoenix. They live in an area right outside Phoenix, called Gilbert. When there last, I commented on

1) The amount of development going on; because it truly was astounding the number of projects being coordinated in this town of 200,000; meaning they had adopted pro - development policy that developers could get behind!!

2) The design aesthetics were all coordinated, medium to high quality. The quality of landscaping alone was astounding. And for these to be developed independently, but to feel so cohesive astounded me.

So I asked my cousin. How do they do this? Because in Pennsylvania you rarely see anything of the sort. And he told me the municipality adopted minimum design guidelines that all developers must follow. These guidelines dictate what materials cannot be used. (cheap cladding, etc). He informed me it sets a standard that developers know they must adhere to if they want to develop in Gilbert. This is all a part of their zoning code. And trust me, they were developing. They had no problem adding extra landscaping, using higher quality materials, etc. Because they knew the ROI was still there.

In no way whatsoever do I believe final design variances should be given to city council (this is a HUGE MISTAKE). As Cro - Burnham stated we need the following:
1) Clear transparent zoning (we sort of have; not really)
2) Minimum Design Guidelines (we do not have)

We do not need city council having their hand in every project, this is unnecessary.

Final note:
I do not think one poster in this forum is expecting a trophy tower at Riverwalk. We all want to see the parking lot elevated to a higher use. (this is a pro - development forum). I for one do not expect every project to be some billion dollar tower. What I do expect is a company turning hundreds of millions in profit from their projects, to reinvest a small % of their gains, into the built environment (the aesthetics/design) that we the citizens of Philadelphia will have for a lifetime. PMC will still develop if the city adopts minimum guidelines. I guarantee it, because there is just too much opportunity here. The vacancy rate is 1.6%, we are a pro - development town right now. So let's use that as an opportunity to set the tone, to say hey, if you want to develop in Philadelphia, that is great. But your project needs to be quality.

That simple.

This is how you have proper investment. And this is how you elevate Philadelphia to World City Status. Which I know we all aspire to do.

Well, part of Phoenix's growth might be because of pro-development policies but there are tons of factors at play (weather, immigration, etc.) so it's not as easy as just saying that it's because "they adopted pro-development policies that developers can get behind."

But aside from that, no one is disputing that government can regulate design. Sure they can. Many cities and towns have adopted form-based codes and design guidelines. Narberth is an example right here in our suburbs. BUT, the time to do that is way before a development proposal comes in for zoning approval and the process of adopting a new zoning code or other ordinance takes years. So no we won't be able to regulate the design of current by-right proposals. Could we in the future? Yes, but it's a long process to get to that point. Also, I'm not sure Philly, with it's many policies that already discourage development and its location in the Northeast, wants to do anything else that might seem burdensome for developers.

jjv007 · #**8243** Posted **Aug 2, 2015, 3:34 AM**

I know it's been asked many times but how to post pics?

hammersklavier · #**8244** Posted **Aug 2, 2015, 8:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjv007

I know it's been asked many times but how to post pics?

1. Upload your image on a site such as Imgur or Flickr.
2. Get the file link. This link ends with the image file extension (i.e. JPG, PNG, GIF). A good test as to whether the link you have is the right one is to open the file in its own tab; if you see the image and only the image, you have the right link.
3. Click on the "Insert Image" icon. This should open a box where you can paste your image file. Click OK.
4. You'll see some code in the WYSIWYG box. Relax! When you hit the "Submit" button, the image will come out properly.
5. This side doesn't automatically resize links, so please make sure you have your image properly sized before you link to it here. About 1000 pixels wide will do the trick -- horizontal scrolling is more annoying than vertical scrolling.

If all goes well, it should upload like this:

flickr.com

Human Scale · #**8245** Posted **Aug 2, 2015, 11:49 AM**

There must be some really good techie reason why adding images isn't an easy function?

cafeguy · #**8246** Posted **Aug 2, 2015, 2:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Human Scale

There must be some really good techie reason why adding images isn't an easy function?

if its too easy, the site would end up crashing as it hosts WAAAAY too many photos year after year.

hammersklavier · #**8247** Posted **Aug 3, 2015, 6:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Human Scale

There must be some really good techie reason why adding images isn't an easy function?

Not really. Some vBulletin applications do have both photo upload and automatic image resizing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cafeguy

if its too easy, the site would end up crashing as it hosts WAAAAY too many photos year after year.

Not really. SSP is a much, much smaller forum than f.ex. SSC, much less major fandom fora!

jjv007 · #**8248** Posted **Aug 3, 2015, 9:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

1. Upload your image on a site such as Imgur or Flickr.
2. Get the file link. This link ends with the image file extension (i.e. JPG, PNG, GIF). A good test as to whether the link you have is the right one is to open the file in its own tab; if you see the image and only the image, you have the right link.
3. Click on the "Insert Image" icon. This should open a box where you can paste your image file. Click OK.
4. You'll see some code in the WYSIWYG box. Relax! When you hit the "Submit" button, the image will come out properly.
5. This side doesn't automatically resize links, so please make sure you have your image properly sized before you link to it here. About 1000 pixels wide will do the trick -- horizontal scrolling is more annoying than vertical scrolling.

If all goes well, it should upload like this:

flickr.com

Wow, I have a new-found appreciation for all who take the time to post pics with that process!

JawKneeQuest · #**8249** Posted **Aug 4, 2015, 2:50 AM**

Just moved into a new place on Tasker. 3rd Floor, with a Bay window facing north in the bedroom. Can't wait to watch the skyline grow from this view.

Link to Larger Version

Williard Mouse · #**8250** Posted **Aug 4, 2015, 5:55 PM**

According to Philly Mag Properties, the rights and plans to the aborted 20 story modular residential tower are available for $20 Million.

http://http://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/08/04/south-broad-street-condo/

Larry King · #**8251** Posted **Aug 4, 2015, 7:16 PM**

........

jjv007 · #**8252** Posted **Aug 4, 2015, 10:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JawKneeQuest

Just moved into a new place on Tasker. 3rd Floor, with a Bay window facing north in the bedroom. Can't wait to watch the skyline grow from this view.

Link to Larger Version

Great pic! That's a nice view you have.

volguus zildrohar · #**8253** Posted **Aug 5, 2015, 1:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by allovertown

Damn dude. Those are fighting words. Haddington.

Really? I grew up on 62nd & Race.

allovertown · #**8254** Posted **Aug 5, 2015, 2:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by volguus zildrohar

Really? I grew up on 62nd & Race.

Simpson & Girard!

summersm343 · #**8255** Posted **Aug 5, 2015, 5:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Williard Mouse

According to Philly Mag Properties, the rights and plans to the aborted 20 story modular residential tower are available for $20 Million.

http://http://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/08/04/south-broad-street-condo/

Great find!!!

I created a thread for this here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=218235

Parkway · #**8256** Posted **Aug 5, 2015, 1:42 PM**

So apparently a crane I going up at The Study today. This inspired me to do a crane count so here it is:
CTIC 3
FMC 2
Dalian 2
One Water 1
1919 1
ARC 1
PCAM 1
The Study 1

Thats a decent amount of activity and I know there are projects I missed.

Londonee · #**8257** Posted **Aug 5, 2015, 2:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parkway

So apparently a crane I going up at The Study today. This inspired me to do a crane count so here it is:
CTIC 3
FMC 2
Dalian 2
One Water 1
1919 1
ARC 1
PCAM 1
The Study 1

Thats a decent amount of activity and I know there are projects I missed.

Don't forget Castle Blatstein

This has to be the most expensive residence in the city.

Larry King · #**8258** Posted **Aug 5, 2015, 2:43 PM**

......

Thoroughbred · #**8259** Posted **Aug 5, 2015, 3:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parkway

So apparently a crane I going up at The Study today. This inspired me to do a crane count so here it is:
CTIC 3
FMC 2
Dalian 2
One Water 1
1919 1
ARC 1
PCAM 1
The Study 1

Thats a decent amount of activity and I know there are projects I missed.

Soon to be followed by:
Museum Tower II-late August
500 Walnut-late September
One Riverside-October
76ers-Camden-September

Parkway · #**8260** Posted **Aug 5, 2015, 3:50 PM**

Speaking of Camden I just moved over here for law school. I was wondering if anyone on here has the skinny on the projects in the pipeline over here? I think the 76ers practice facility is what is going in down by the Susquehanna Bank Center?