PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX - Page 504

jjv007 · #**10061** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 7:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StreetsDept

Hey guys!

Had the incredible opportunity to go to the top of the Comcast Center last night, and I took a ton of photos as the sun set. Thought that might be of interest to some of y'all!

Check out all the photos on my blog here: http://streetsdept.com/2015/12/29/the-view-from-the-top-of-the-comcast-center/

Beautiful pics, StreetsDept. Thanks for sharing!

Welcome to the forum.

Boku · #**10062** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 1:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

I love the other two points, but I can't see Brandywine staking $100s of millions on Chemours, a spin-off legally engineered to shield the rest of DuPont assets from billions in potential environmental liabilities. I mean is seems like that entity is designed to fail. It'd be like wooing an AIG HQ after the 2008 collapse.

Now, this GE idea is fascinating. I wonder if any other tech giants are looking at University City?

GE is interesting. One other huge company that's been in the back of my mind for a while is HSBC, which is ready to leave London and looking at the US for new headquarters. Obviously New York would be first and most obvious, but why not have Philadelphia throw its hat into the ring? In NYC, they'd be just another player. In Philly, they'd rule the roost. Not very likely, but hey, you can't win if you don't play!

Human Scale · #**10063** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 2:00 PM**

My bet is still on Vanguard moving into the city, realizing that's where the talent wants to live.

TempleGuy1000 · #**10064** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Human Scale

My bet is still on Vanguard moving into the city, realizing that's where the talent wants to live.

That's an interesting thought too. I personally, and I think most would agree, would like an outside company to move in. Not just a reshuffling of the deck in SE PA.

Those pictures are epic too Streetsdept. Thank you for sharing.

br323206 · #**10065** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 2:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TempleGuy1000

That's an interesting thought too. I personally, and I think most would agree, would like an outside company to move in. Not just a reshuffling of the deck in SE PA.

Those pictures are epic too Streetsdept. Thank you for sharing.

Of course we'd rather see large companies move from elsewhere, but getting Vanguard to move to the city would also be HUGE. It would bring with it tons of new residents and tax dollars. I know several people who work at Vanguard that would prefer to live in the city but are not willing to take on the commute.

Cro Burnham · #**10066** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 3:46 PM**

If Vanguard moved in, a lot of regional companies would probably follow. That would be a giant move. It would really put the Center City / UC on the map in a way that it hasn't been for many, many years. It would be a real statement.

On the other hand, most of the folks I've met from Vanguard (not too many, TBH, and mostly in the 40s age range) seem to be wholly "suburban" in mentality.

Plus I kind of sense that Jack Bogle, bless his upstanding soul, is the kind of guy who just doesn't like corrupt, gritty (and costly) cities like Philly that much.

But, beyond a major Amazon or Google-like presence, I can't think of a better outcome for the city than getting Vanguard down here.

br323206 · #**10067** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 4:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

If Vanguard moved in, a lot of regional companies would probably follow. That would be a giant move. It would really put the Center City / UC on the map in a way that it hasn't been for many, many years. It would be a real statement.

On the other hand, most of the folks I've met from Vanguard (not too many, TBH, and mostly in the 40s age range) seem to be wholly "suburban" in mentality.

Plus I kind of sense that Jack Bogle, bless his upstanding soul, is the kind of guy who just doesn't like corrupt, gritty (and costly) cities like Philly that much.

But, beyond a major Amazon or Google-like presence, I can't think of a better outcome for the city than getting Vanguard down here.

It's all anecdotal but the people I know at Vanguard are in their 20's and 30's and would much prefer that it move to the city.

ePlanningPhila · #**10068** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 5:04 PM**

Wow the GE speculation really got me thinking about the domino effect Philadelphia would have if the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (#1) and the city (#2) could modify the corporate tax structure. The cost savings would be quite alluring and also geographically satisfying for some major corporate players to put Philadelphia back on the map of potential places to set up shop. Once we have another MAJOR corporate presence (especially more tech/innovation focused) I think we will create a business synergy in this city that will be unfathomable.

We have the #3 and arguably #1 best business school in the world and nation respectively, not to mention other top educational programs in other fields. All the talent is here, once we have the jobs to retain them, the renaissance we all are seeing now, will appear as pocket change, for what is to come for this city.

I have said for some time, once the new Comcast Tower is built we move into Philadelphia 2.0. Philadelphia 1.0 (2000 - present) set the foundation to make the city attractive again for residents by investing in amenities (arts, parks, transit, infrastructure, safety) that thereby attracted investment for residents (housing, restaurants, nightlife, retail, etc.) Once Philadelphia 2.0 arrives, all the cards will be in place to start attracting jobs, and once that happens, this region and the city will fulfill its potential to be THE top city in the nation.

The momentum is there, and I have to say, now is an exciting time to be living in this great city. I can not think of anywhere else I rather be.

br323206 · #**10069** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 6:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ePlanningPhila

I have said for some time, once the new Comcast Tower is built we move into Philadelphia 2.0. Philadelphia 1.0 (2000 - present) set the foundation to make the city attractive again for residents by investing in amenities (arts, parks, transit, infrastructure, safety) that thereby attracted investment for residents (housing, restaurants, nightlife, retail, etc.) Once Philadelphia 2.0 arrives, all the cards will be in place to start attracting jobs, and once that happens, this region and the city will fulfill its potential to be THE top city in the nation.

If 2000 to present is Philadelphia 1.0, what was 1682 to 1999? That's over 200 years of Philadelphia erased.

summersm343 · #**10070** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 7:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StreetsDept

Hey guys!

Had the incredible opportunity to go to the top of the Comcast Center last night, and I took a ton of photos as the sun set. Thought that might be of interest to some of y'all!

Check out all the photos on my blog here: http://streetsdept.com/2015/12/29/the-view-from-the-top-of-the-comcast-center/

Superb pics! Thank you sir!

cjPhilly · #**10071** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 11:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by br323206

If 2000 to present is Philadelphia 1.0, what was 1682 to 1999? That's over 200 years of Philadelphia erased.

Eh, just think of it as 200+ years of beta testing.

It always takes a little while to work out the bugs; just ask Microsoft!

Frontst17 · #**10072** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 11:43 PM**

Over 300* but who's counting ha

PhillySpec1983 · #**10073** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 11:48 PM**

For Brandywine ... I think everyone is getting ahead of themselves. It's a possibility they have Chemours ready to sign on the dotted line but to liquidate the cash cow that was with the IRS building would be a huge risk. I'm thinking Drexel and Brandywine are getting ready to announce the private partnership of the technology neighborhood. A friend mentioned Drexel wants quite a financial partner in the project.

UPenn18 · #**10074** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 11:49 PM**

If we're playing the speculation game, let's hope the top-secret Brandywine project is a Liberty Place scaled project at 8th and Market with GE occupying a ton of space, a hotel, retail, and a redeveloped 8th Street Station. That could explain their "hedging on the future" purchase of the garage at 6th and Market. One can only dream

PhillySpec1983 · #**10075** Posted **Dec 30, 2015, 11:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343

Superb pics! Thank you sir!

Streets...Great pictures. Is it true there is a billy penn statue on the roof ?

Human Scale · #**10076** Posted **Dec 31, 2015, 12:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPenn18

If we're playing the speculation game, let's hope the top-secret Brandywine project is a Liberty Place scaled project at 8th and Market with GE occupying a ton of space, a hotel, retail, and a redeveloped 8th Street Station. That could explain their "hedging on the future" purchase of the garage at 6th and Market. One can only dream

I'm gonna say they're reviving American Commerce Center and it's crystalline form to go with their crystalline neighborhood across the river. At 1500 ft. it far surpasses CITC and makes BRT big dog instead of LPT. There is a lot that matches 1800 Arch at 30th and Chestnut.