PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX - Page 529

DrachenFire · #**10561** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 1:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

Wha . . . . ????

http://media.philly.com/images/rsz_2_neighborhood_built_schuylkill_yards.jpg

The new and improved Drexel Shaft!

Plokoon11 · #**10562** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:23 PM**

Oh my GOD!!----!!!!!!!!!

Flyers2001 · #**10563** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:31 PM**

That building in that pic seems to be well above what's needed for a super-tall. Love the rendering, curious what companies may need space in the next 5 years.

**Do they go Mix/Use or residential?

looper121 · #**10564** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:34 PM**

That is definitely qualified to be a Supertall, that would make Center City look a little smallish!

Those ugly ass buildings along Market street can't be demolished fast enough. I'll go grab a shovel if I need to.

Philly Fan · #**10565** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:36 PM**

Here's the article from whence that rendering comes:

Drexel chooses developer for massive project

And note this (emphasis added):

Quote:

The 125-year-old university and Philadelphia's biggest office landlord plan to build about 8 million square feet of floor space - equal to about six-and-a half Comcast Center towers - over the next several decades, beginning with the redevelopment of a strip of parking lots and industrial buildings north of Market Street.

In other words, beginning with the area in that rendering with the tallest buildings. On the other hand, that could just be referring to this:

Quote:

The project will begin with the creation of a 1.3-acre park on what's now a parking lot west of the train station. The former offices of The Bulletin newspaper, a 1950s building since redubbed One Drexel Plaza, is also soon to be renovated.

McBane · #**10566** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:38 PM**

My jaw is on the floor!

I wonder how come the project formerly known as the Innovation District is being re-dubbed as the Schyukill Yards? I don't see it being built over the train tracks. I thought this was a separate project involving Amtrak and the railroad tracks between Arch and Spring Garden.

I see lots of fluff - a park, streetscape improvements, etc. But as others have noted Brandywine has unloaded a ton of properties and is sitting on a a lot of capital. But Brandywine is a property developer, not a bank. Something's gotta give. Hopefully at today's press conference, Brandywine announces an actual tower, fingers crossed it's the supertall.

The supertall appears to be built on the site of 3101 Market, immediately west of the Bulletin Building. The odd, tri-colored building next to it, looks to be as tall as the FMC. And the reddish-hued building looks to be built on the site of the rumored Cira II. None of the new buildings appear to be less than 400 feet.

Speaking of Cira II, I don't see anything that resembles it here. It looks like that project is finished after FMC. Seeing the potential with this project, that's fine with me!

Does anyone know what time the press conference is? All I see is Wednesday afternoon.

japmes · #**10567** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:38 PM**

[QUOTE=Cro Burnham;7355419]Wha . . . . ????

Is this just somebody's wet dream or is it an official Brandywine rendering?

summersm343 · #**10568** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:41 PM**

[QUOTE=japmes;7355472]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

Wha . . . . ????

Is this just somebody's wet dream or is it an official Brandywine rendering?

It's official.

summersm343 · #**10569** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:42 PM**

Drexel chooses developer for massive project

Quote:

Drexel University has selected Brandywine Realty Trust to develop an expanse of mostly school-owned property between its campus and 30th Street Station into an enclave of offices, academic buildings, homes, shops and parks.

The 125-year-old university and Philadelphia's biggest office landlord plan to build about 8 million square feet of floor space - equal to about six-and-a half Comcast Center towers - over the next several decades, beginning with the redevelopment of a strip of parking lots and industrial buildings north of Market Street.

Drexel President John Fry and Brandywine's chief executive officer, Jerry Sweeney, were set to formally announce their plans for what will be known as Schuylkill Yards together at a Wednesday afternoon event.

"Drexel has always believed there's a superior use for this unique location - essentially the 50-yard-line of the Eastern Seaboard - as a neighborhood built around collaboration and innovation," Fry said in a statement ahead of the formal announcement. "The time is right to put this vision into action."

Development of the project, which Drexel had previously referred to as its Innovation Neighborhood plan, will take place in multiple phases, combining existing buildings and new tower structures, according to the release.

Work will occur on 14 acres - a space about twice the size of Rittenhouse Square - on the eastern edge of Philadelphia's University City district of educational, medical and research institutions.

The project will begin with the creation of a 1.3-acre park on what's now a parking lot west of the train station. The former offices of The Bulletin newspaper, a 1950s building since redubbed One Drexel Plaza, is also soon to be renovated.

Radnor-based Brandywine Realty Trust will oversee a team that includes residential developer Gotham Organization Inc. of New York and life-sciences specialists Longfellow Real Estate Partners of Boston. Schuylkill Yards will be the first project in Philadelphia for both firms.

New York's SHoP Architects will develop the project's streetscape and architectural standards, while Dutch firm West 8 designs its landscapes.

Brandywine has already made a substantial mark on the area with projects that include the Cira Centre building, the redevelopment of the former 30th Street Main Post Office, and the now-under-construction FMC Tower.

Those projects "will provide a synergistic connection to Schuylkill Yards, creating a seamless access point to Center City and strengthening the eastern edge of University City as a whole," Sweeney said in the release. "Together, we will create a dynamic and world-class innovation hub to attract the brightest minds to our region."

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20...massive_project.html#yOtQ5Y6GapI70Scv.99

summersm343 · #**10570** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBane

My jaw is on the floor!

I wonder how come the project formerly known as the Innovation District is being re-dubbed as the Schyukill Yards? I don't see it being built over the train tracks. I thought this was a separate project involving Amtrak and the railroad tracks between Arch and Spring Garden.

I see lots of fluff - a park, streetscape improvements, etc. But as others have noted Brandywine has unloaded a ton of properties and is sitting on a a lot of capital. But Brandywine is a property developer, not a bank. Something's gotta give. Hopefully at today's press conference, Brandywine announces an actual tower, fingers crossed it's the supertall.

The supertall appears to be built on the site of 3101 Market, immediately west of the Bulletin Building. The odd, tri-colored building next to it, looks to be as tall as the FMC. And the reddish-hued building looks to be built on the site of the rumored Cira II. None of the new buildings appear to be less than 400 feet.

Speaking of Cira II, I don't see anything that resembles it here. It looks like that project is finished after FMC. Seeing the potential with this project, that's fine with me!

Does anyone know what time the press conference is? All I see is Wednesday afternoon.

No, Cira II, as far as I know, is still something Brandywine is looking to do eventually.

I wish I had the site overview of the development, but that building you say is in the spot of Cira II is not. It is in the spot of the parking lot just north of the Bulletin Building. Cira II spot will be built over the hole over the train tracks which is still left open. You can see the site here on Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Philad...6b7d8d4b54beb:0x89f514d88c3e58c1!6m1!1e1

Jawnadelphia · #**10571** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:49 PM**

Remember those rumors that Brandywine wanted a supertall - taller than CITC. That rendering is definitely taller than the CITC lantern. I'm guessing 1250 or so. Stunning.

When and where is the news conference??

summersm343 · #**10572** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 2:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cro Burnham

Wha . . . . ????

http://media.philly.com/images/rsz_2_neighborhood_built_schuylkill_yards.jpg

Just amazing.

The tallest looks to be 1200 feet, EASILY. Second tallest looks to be about 700 feet. The third tallest looks to be about 500 feet. The remaining *I think* 5 towers look to be between 380-450 feet.

Amazing

christof · #**10573** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 3:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrachenFire

The new and improved Drexel Shaft!

Glad to see a supertall as part of the proposed project!

Boku · #**10574** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 3:10 PM**

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but it clearly states, and even if it didn't it should be obvious, that this is to be built over several decades...and seeing how fragile a plan to build just one building can be (I see you SLS and 1911 Walnut), what are the odds that all of this comes to fruition?

christof · #**10575** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 3:11 PM**

May I propose that it is time to start a Drexel Innovation Neighborhood separate page?

summersm343 · #**10576** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boku

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but it clearly states, and even if it didn't it should be obvious, that this is to be built over several decades...and seeing how fragile a plan to build just one building can be (I see you SLS and 1911 Walnut), what are the odds that all of this comes to fruition?

Okay Debby-downer. Go home!

Let's say "several decades" is 30 years, that's 1 tower built here every 3-4 years seeing how there seems to be 8 towers. That's not too bad if you ask me.

If "several decades" means 20 years, that's 1 tower built every 2-3 years.

summersm343 · #**10577** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by christof

May a propose that it is time to start a Drexel Innovation Neighborhood separate page?

Yes, I will today after the press conference since we'll likely see more information then.

RonnieStevens · #**10578** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 3:32 PM**

I dont know.... the wind and the shadows these towers will create. Is it even worth it?

Cro Burnham · #**10579** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 3:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonnieStevens

I dont know.... the wind and the shadows these towers will create. Is it even worth it?

I will only support it if Brandywine guarantees that there will be a Wendy's and a wig shop.

jonahwilliam · #**10580** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 3:45 PM**

First time poster here (long time lurker) and this would be HUGE. I've been trolling Brandywine's Instagram account for months hinting at what's next. Glad to see them really investing so much in Philly