PHILADELPHIA | THE LAUREL @ 1911 Walnut | 604 FT | 48 FLOORS - Page 43

Knight Hospitaller · #**841** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 4:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch+Eng

I am against this project. Unless of course they put a Wendy's on Rittenhouse Square.

Perfect use for the Warwick, if you'll accept one on Sansom. I'm sure that everyone hopes that the coffee shop becomes a Starbucks or, even better, a Dunkin' Donuts.

Cro Burnham · #**842** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 5:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Perfect use for the Warwick, if you'll accept one on Sansom. I'm sure that everyone hopes that the coffee shop becomes a Starbucks or, even better, a Dunkin' Donuts.

I was hoping for a Wendy's.

Knight Hospitaller · #**843** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 5:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

I was hoping for a Wendy's.

Something more exotic like "Five Guys" or "Krispy Kreme" would better help this project to stand out.

Cro Burnham · #**844** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 7:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Something more exotic like "Five Guys" or "Krispy Kreme" would better help this project to stand out.

Popeye's or Church's would be good. Shoney's. Checker's. Taco Bell.

Maybe little mini kiosks for each. with bright orange domed trash bins and plastic bucket sidewalk seating, perfect for large homeless encampments, just to piss off the the wealthy neighbors. Thoughts, 1487?

iheartphilly · #**845** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 8:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraper

Wendy's will probably apply for historic preservation status.
But maybe hammersklavier will settle for just keeping the facade.

This deserves historic preservation:

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9540851,...rwdyEE2RC6vIg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Arch+Eng · #**846** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 8:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

Popeye's or Church's would be good. Shoney's. Checker's. Taco Bell.

Maybe little mini kiosks for each. with bright orange domed trash bins and plastic bucket sidewalk seating, perfect for large homeless encampments, just to piss off the the wealthy neighbors. Thoughts, 1487?

I was actually looking for a Crown Fried here

br323206 · #**847** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 8:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

This deserves historic preservation:

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9540851,...rwdyEE2RC6vIg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Since everyone always wants to compare us to NYC...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8180237,...A2-OlRSySnSDNFhX9ngVw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Arch+Eng · #**848** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 8:56 PM**

Do you guys want mixed used McDonalds?

Knight Hospitaller · #**849** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 9:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

Popeye's or Church's would be good. Shoney's. Checker's. Taco Bell.

Maybe little mini kiosks for each. with bright orange domed trash bins and plastic bucket sidewalk seating, perfect for large homeless encampments, just to piss off the the wealthy neighbors. Thoughts, 1487?

Food court! Brilliant! One thing we truly need is a Tim Horton's and a Bojangles. Two of the few things that I miss when I'm home.

Knight Hospitaller · #**850** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 9:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by br323206

Since everyone always wants to compare us to NYC...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8180237,...A2-OlRSySnSDNFhX9ngVw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

No, we want you to compare us with Dallas.

hammersklavier · #**851** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 10:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Hey, there are white collar criminals and druggies too. I'm always afraid of being mistaken for one when I go to Wendy's for a Frosty.

But that sweet, sweet Frosty high...so worth it

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

This deserves historic preservation:

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9540851,...rwdyEE2RC6vIg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Heh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

Food court! Brilliant! One thing we truly need is a Tim Horton's and a Bojangles. Two of the few things that I miss when I'm home.

Don't forget the In-n-Out and Skyline Chili!

Cro Burnham · #**852** Posted **Dec 17, 2015, 11:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

But that sweet, sweet Frosty high...so worth it

Heh.
Don't forget the In-n-Out and Skyline Chili!

I mean, Rittenhouse definitely needs more diversity, and a fast food court would bring it . . . at least according to a couple forumers here. Lord knows there's nothing else around Rittenhouse that could possibly interest a more diverse array of people as much as fried chicken, biscuits, and gravy. Bring it on.

Boku · #**853** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 12:32 PM**

Inga chimes in: http://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/columnists/inga_saffron&id=362814131

SJPhillyBoy · #**854** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 12:56 PM**

Inga is spot on.

From her Philly.com review...

Quote:

There is nothing wrong with a building showing some height, especially in this location, but if 1911 Walnut is going for the record, it needs to earn its place in the sky - and on the ground.

Like so many Center City high-rises, 1911 Walnut is being threaded into a tight weave of historic buildings. That includes the brownstone John Notman church across the street and a clutch of early-20th-century high-rises.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/...__on_the_ground.html#34cFCuPyRxeFM6Tg.99

Jayfar · #**855** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 1:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxbot

From the comments, the parapet wall of the Warwick was repointed and a new roof and framing were put on in 2007.

I *knew* I'd seen that with my own eyes when the brick work was being done! The commenter provides proof in linking to the actual 2007 building permit. Actually I seem to recall that they repointed more than just the parapet wall.

Quote:

Permit Details

Permit Number
52180
Application Type
ALTERATION PERMIT
Permit Type
ALT-MINOR ALTERATION
Status
COMPLETED
Date Issued
1/25/2007
Last Updated
8/23/2007
Work Description
REMOVAL OF EXISTING ROOF AND SELECTED ROTTED SHEATHING AND FRAMING MEMBERS AND REPLACEMENT OF FRAMING AND INSTALLATION OF NEW EPDM ROOF. REPOINT PAREPET WALL AS NEEDED
Contact Information
DATUM RESTORATION INC
35 S 02ND ST
LANSDOWNE, PA 19050
Contact Type
CONTRACTOR
Contractor Information
DATUM RESTORATION INC
35 SOUTH SECOND STREET
P O BOX 1213
LANSDOWNE, PA 19050

BenKatzPhillytoParis · #**856** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 2:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayfar

I *knew* I'd seen that with my own eyes when the brick work was being done! The commenter provides proof in linking to the actual 2007 building permit. Actually I seem to recall that they repointed more than just the parapet wall.

The entry court is really problematic. If you look at the site use plan, it's about half the size of the Walnut-fronting lot the tower is going on. So, we eliminate an empty lot, but demolish a historic structure to create a different anti-urban use that's a large fraction of the lot getting the tower. Obviously, it's not totally a wash. But, it does sort of head in that direction. If we replicated this development plan throughout the city, street life would be constantly interrupted. I think the standard we have to hold projects to is "how would this look if this overall use pattern were repeated throughout the city." And in that respect, while I think it's great this lot if finally going to be developed and I'm excited about the height, I agree with most of Inga's points that some changes are necessary. From the article, though, sounds like CCRA is focused on the right issues, i.e. entry court and historic structures, and not height.

McBane · #**857** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 3:17 PM**

I like the tower. The base could be more integrated with the tower and I'm never a fan of setbacks. (By the way, we now two towers that are set back from major commercial streets and instead massed along tiny Sansom Street - I don't get that.) But overall, the renderings show a really well designed building.

I'm not sure what else Inga wants though. This is Philadelphia. Developers here are very conservative as is, but on the Square? Forget about it - no one is going to put something as bold as the Bridge or the Cira Centre at this location. No one. The better glass towers in Philly are classy and conservative with enough flair to be more than a box, but not so much to offend our Quaker sensibilities. Just like the Comcast Center, Evo, RATR, and 500 Walnut. (Cira Centre, Murano, FMC are a step above, in my opinion)

1487 · #**858** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 3:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJPhillyBoy

Inga is spot on.

From her Philly.com review...

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/...__on_the_ground.html#34cFCuPyRxeFM6Tg.99

I dont see the big deal, generally speaking. Not that I expected her to be a fan of the proposal regardless of the details.

Arch+Eng · #**859** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 4:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJPhillyBoy

Inga is spot on.

From her Philly.com review...

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/...__on_the_ground.html#34cFCuPyRxeFM6Tg.99

I agree with everything she says except, we need to leave moravian open. We can still have the trash & loading docks & car court entrance on moravian street with it staying open.

Also, they need some diversity in that sansom street facade. Nobody wants the same design for half a block.

Knight Hospitaller · #**860** Posted **Dec 18, 2015, 4:32 PM**

I think Inga was decidedly "fair and balanced." She's not trashing the project, she's simply pointing out that there's room to make it not just a good building for the site, but a great one. She's simply raising discussion points.