PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

I remember reading something long ago about a factory that used to be on that site. I don't know why I'm thinking batteries, or paint, or something along those lines. I do agree though, as the land surrounding gets more valuable it'd be only a matter of time before it becomes feasible to develop.

As for 15th Street - I think even if they extended the line you'd still see cars cutting across 4 lanes. The cars coming south on 15th to make a right on Vine to get to 676, and the cars getting off the exit cutting left to make a left onto the south side of vine street.

Yeah, a barrier would be better. To clarify my earlier comment, they should probably put the driveway on Wood and change the flow to eastbound.

[Outta here]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

You messing with us, perhaps? Somebody transported Two Prudential (aka Aon) from Chicago to some spot along W. Arch and gave it growth hormone.

No , to close to Christmas to be messing . At first I thought it was a
" steroid " version of the World Industry Center , but this bitch appears
to be a shit load taller than that fantasy 875' project . I just found it and
never saw it before ..... No poop here .

[br323206]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

As happy as I am to see the lots at Broad & Callowhill developed I weep for those commuters (coming & going) that need to use the 676 on ramp. That spot is already madness with multiple cars exchanging lanes to get on and off the ramp, not to mention the backup to get into the Hahnemann garage off 15th. I believe from the plans I saw the building's own garage will also enter off of 15th street near wood. That 1-2 blocks is bound to become a permanent clusterf*ck. (To those who plan on responding, "Well maybe people should drive less" just hold your breath - please be realistic, not everyone can walk/bike to work like you - and many people that live in the spring garden/fairmount area live their specifically due to the access of the highways in and out of the city)

1. Well, maybe people should drive less?

2. It wouldn't surprise me if the unpredictability actually makes the area safer. It probably makes people more cautious. I don't hear of many accidents there.

3. I live in the area and take the train to work most days. When I do have to drive I don't mind dealing with the clusterf***k of traffic because I recognize that its the price I pay to live where I live. The convenience of taking the train most days and being able to walk to amenities outweighs the negatives. Also, I recognize that this project is great for the area so I'll deal with the issues.

4. Well, maybe people should drive less?

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by Outta here

No , to close to Christmas to be messing . At first I thought it was a
" steroid " version of the World Industry Center , but this bitch appears
to be a shit load taller than that fantasy 875' project . I just found it and
never saw it before ..... No poop here .

[EDIT: I had to delve into the fantasy section of this site, but now I understand your WIC reference]. This looks like it would be on the site of Comcast III or the rental car lot (and maybe over the tracks) at 20th and Arch. It's got to be pure fantasy, right (begins to salivate as the supertall bell has been rung)?

[PhillySteaks]

Originally Posted by br323206

1. Well, maybe people should drive less?

2. It wouldn't surprise me if the unpredictability actually makes the area safer. It probably makes people more cautious. I don't hear of many accidents there.

3. I live in the area and take the train to work most days. When I do have to drive I don't mind dealing with the clusterf***k of traffic because I recognize that its the price I pay to live where I live. The convenience of taking the train most days and being able to walk to amenities outweighs the negatives. Also, I recognize that this project is great for the area so I'll deal with the issues.

4. Well, maybe people should drive less?

1.) lol
2.) good point
3.) I feel this way too - similiar setup myself. Still...I hate the backup there when I hit it, it's going to get a lot worse. Will definitely become a traffic hot spot.
4.) I'd sell my car tomorrow if I could get a competitive job doing what I do in center city

[Plokoon11]

Guys that bldg is photo shopped from that one chicago bldg.

[DIESELPOLO]

Awesome! But correct me if I'm wrong, but the Innovation Center neighborhood is still a parking lot right now. The only existing building in the Innovation neighborhood is 3001 Market.

Originally Posted by summersm343

Big Center City law firm moving into Drexel's new innovation space



http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...-law-drexel-innovation-neighborhood.html

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by DIESELPOLO

Awesome! But correct me if I'm wrong, but the Innovation Center neighborhood is still a parking lot right now. The only existing building in the Innovation neighborhood is 3001 Market.

They're leasing office space in 3001 Market. Which is good. This building should be about full by now which may drive Drexel to move forward with constructed the first building.

PS - it seems they are opening a new office, and still keeping the one on Market Street, not moving all of their offices there.

[summersm343]

Office Sector News - Cushman & Wakefield: CBD Office Space 91.3% Occupied

The overall occupancy rate for the Philadelphia central business district (CBD) increased to 91.3% in the third quarter of 2015, up from 88.4% in the second quarter, with an average asking rent of $27.77 per square foot (SF), according to Cushman & Wakefield’sMarketbeat Office Snapshot Q3 2015, Philadelphia CBD. The primary reason for the increase was the withdrawal from the market of the 607,000-SF One Franklin Plaza building. PMC Property Group purchased the building for $43 million and is renovating approximately 66% of the space as apartments.

The largest transaction was the $58 million sale of the Public Ledger Building by LNR Partners to Carlyle Development Group.

In suburban Philadelphia, the occupancy rate was 85% in the third quarter, with an average asking rent of $24.29, the report noted.

What does this mean? It pretty much means that anybody looking for more than 100,000 square feet of continuous space is going to have to go into a newly constructed building. However, there will be space coming online in BNY Mellon when BNY Mellon leaves and FMC goes to their new tower. There will also be space in the new FMC tower when completed, and there will be some space in Three Logan Square when Comcast vacates it's space for their new tower in 2018. However, I could definitely see this as a driver towards a new office tower or two being developed in Center City within the next few years.

http://www.centercityphila.org/pressroom/ccnews120115.php

[summersm343]

Residential Market News - Regional House Prices Flat; City’s on the Rise

House prices in the suburbs remained flat as Philadelphia-region home values increased a negligible 0.3% during the third quarter of 2015, slowing from the previous quarter’s 5.8% increase, according to Kevin C. Gillen, Senior Research Fellow with the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University, in a report released on November 24.

House prices in the city, however, continued to appreciate by 1.3% during the quarter. Before surpassing the suburban index in mid-2014, the city’s housing index had lagged behind the suburban since 1984, the report noted.

There were 263 sales of $1.0 million dollars or more in the third quarter, up from 189 in the previous quarter and breaking the all-time historic record of 240 $1.0 million-plus sales set in 2008.

http://www.centercityphila.org/pressroom/ccnews120115.php

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

The lot at Franklintown & Callowhill won't be developed anytime soon. It has environmental issues. (Praying I'm wrong, because I'd love to see it developed)

As happy as I am to see the lots at Broad & Callowhill developed I weep for those commuters (coming & going) that need to use the 676 on ramp. That spot is already madness with multiple cars exchanging lanes to get on and off the ramp, not to mention the backup to get into the Hahnemann garage off 15th. I believe from the plans I saw the building's own garage will also enter off of 15th street near wood. That 1-2 blocks is bound to become a permanent clusterf*ck. (To those who plan on responding, "Well maybe people should drive less" just hold your breath - please be realistic, not everyone can walk/bike to work like you - and many people that live in the spring garden/fairmount area live their specifically due to the access of the highways in and out of the city)

I wonder if the clover could ever be capped and built upon. Seems like a waste of street frontage to vine street - especially since the Mormon Tower will have some retail. Either way that clover was so poorly designed, there really should be a light off callowhill so you can enter/exit 676 coming from either the north or south. It'd alleviate a lot of congestion at 15th & Vine - not to mention the 4 lane cross overs that happen all the time.

http://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/clover/gwdvGc6r0B

Not a bad idea, except I'd suggest making the 1500 block of Callowhill two-way. (This preserves the overarching circulation pattern. Also, having traffic exiting the VSE go through a light at 15th & Callowhill certainly does kill the weave movements. Finally, the intersections at 15th and 16th & Callowhill would be designed to incorporate refuge islands.)

The end result would be two rectangular parcels on either side of the VSE slip ramp. Each can then be sold off for development, and the slip gets buried, unobtrusive, in the city fabric.

Edited to add: Expanding on your solution.

[Outta here]

The Philadelphia 76ers' long wait for a win is over. After 18 games of ineptitude, frustration, and blown leads, the Sixers finally got off the schneid with a 103-91 victory over the West-worst Los Angeles Lakers at the Wells Fargo Center. The 1-18 Sixers ensured that they will merely share the record for worst start to a season with the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets, who finished that campaign 12-70. Tuesday's win also ends a U.S.-record 28-game losing streak that began last season.

This is so funny , I want to cry . nite , nite , Kobe .

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by br323206

When I do have to drive I don't mind dealing with the clusterf***k of traffic because I recognize that its the price I pay to live where I live. The convenience of taking the train most days and being able to walk to amenities outweighs the negatives.

To affirm Steaks post, I completely understand why going through Center City along 15th through 20th Street can be a traffic nightmare but not in the particular case of 15th -Broad and Vine. The people coming off the eastbound expressway are then trying to get left by crossing two lanes of traffic in a single block. Also the two through lanes to get onto the eat bound expressway at Broad are hindered by people making lefts onto Broad which can only hold a dozen cars between the traffic lights on Broad. This is all bad design/traffic engineering. I understand city traffic but even a better traffic light scheme would greatly improve efficiency. It’s the equivalent of saying that you are in favor of potholes since it will naturally slow vehicle speeds.

[br323206]

Originally Posted by PHL10

To affirm Steaks post, I completely understand why going through Center City along 15th through 20th Street can be a traffic nightmare but not in the particular case of 15th -Broad and Vine. The people coming off the eastbound expressway are then trying to get left by crossing two lanes of traffic in a single block. Also the two through lanes to get onto the eat bound expressway at Broad are hindered by people making lefts onto Broad which can only hold a dozen cars between the traffic lights on Broad. This is all bad design/traffic engineering. I understand city traffic but even a better traffic light scheme would greatly improve efficiency. It’s the equivalent of saying that you are in favor of potholes since it will naturally slow vehicle speeds.

Well my response was half joking, but I do think there is something to be said for the confusion=safety part. It's different than potholes and I think that's obvious. I am, however, completely in favor of speed humps where appropriate--which basically slow traffic just like potholes, but in a safer manner.

[PhilliesPhan]

For all of those interested, there will be a public open house regarding "refined" designs of the 30th Street Station District Master Plan.


WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 16, 2015
4:00pm - 7:00pm

Amtrak 30th Street Station
(behind Amtrak ticket office)
2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

[BenKatzPhillytoParis]

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan

For all of those interested, there will be a public open house regarding "refined" designs of the 30th Street Station District Master Plan.


WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 16, 2015
4:00pm - 7:00pm

Amtrak 30th Street Station
(behind Amtrak ticket office)
2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Great, I'll be there. I like this dynamic of this forum serving more to get us engaged in public meetings and avenues for impact in real world. I'm moving back to Philly this Saturday so I'll be able to attend a lot of these things.

[summersm343]

3601 Market - Completed
28 floors - 320 feet - luxury apartments and ground floor retail

Will be moved to the completed threads archive soon.

A few images from my last two posts:

[summersm343]

Posted a ton of photo updates today

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Posted a ton of photo updates today

Thanks. The end of my workday was totally unproductive.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Thanks. The end of my workday was totally unproductive.

That's okay. I used a vacation day today and went and took pictures haha. Productivity for the win