PHILADELPHIA | FMC Tower @ Cira Centre South | 736 FT | 49 FLOORS

[summersm343]

Philly Skyline by Wes A, on Flickr

[philatonian]

I was down in South Philly this afternoon and could see this bad *** from everywhere. Best addition to the skyline since Liberty Place flipped the bird to the Gentlemen's Agreement...IMO.

[TechTalkGuy]

I have no sympathy for the late Ed Bacon!
His vision of the city was just plain wrong.

[philatonian]

Originally Posted by TechTalkGuy

I have no sympathy for the late Ed Bacon!
His vision of the city was just plain wrong.

LOL he was a visionary for his era, but that era is finally retiring to Bucks County. He had some wildly ridiculous ideas in his time, and we can thank the gods of the economy that most never came to fruition.

But he was an urbanist through and through, it just depends on what generation was defining urbanism. A lot of his midcentury ideas were more a reaction to the era's needs than a personal desire to suburbanize Philadelphia. If he could have taken cars off the streets of Center City in 1960, I don't doubt he would have.

He didn't die a dinosaur, and I think he liked the changes we're making now better than those he made himself.

[TechTalkGuy]

I don't know who came up with the idea of building the FMC on Schuylkill west, but it's a welcome extension of the skyline.

Without mentioning names, there are some online forums that have threads that compare cities (I'm sure SSP mods wouldn't approve), but I'd love to see if Chicago or NYC helped influence the skyline shift to the west.

The FMC will most likely not be the tallest on the west, so don't fear the worst.
This is like when Liberty Place was initially built.
Now you see the change.

It's too bad that the east side has not been influenced to build taller.
I would love to see 432 Park Ave on Market east.

Hopefully, the FMC will help influence future development.

[R5Ryder]

Originally Posted by mmikeyphilly

It's certainly looking like it. I don't see any indications that the steel will rise any further. (Darn)

Summers: Great Series of photos!

We all love tall buildings and want to see them in the city (where appropriate), but this one is the perfect height for its location considering the current lack of other highrises in the area. A supertall would look way out of place next to Evo, with nothing directly south, and only 1Riverside and Schuylkill projects even in the same view (sometimes.)

The thing is, with this thing up at its current (perfect) height, now a supertall would look great within the context of the neighborhood. Think of it as selecting the supporting cast before the star. We just drafted Scottie Pippen. Maybe Jordan will join soon.

[allovertown]

Originally Posted by TechTalkGuy

Without mentioning names, there are some online forums that have threads that compare cities (I'm sure SSP mods wouldn't approve), but I'd love to see if Chicago or NYC helped influence the skyline shift to the west.

Brandywine Executive 1: Have you seen Chicago or NYC?

Brandywine Executive 2: Chicago or NYC?

Brandywine Executive 1: Yea, you know, have you seen their skylines?

Brandywine Executive 2: What about them?

Brandywine Executive 1: I don't know. They're like... long. Big. Sort of like Philadelphia, but more tall buildings.

Brandywine Executive 2: More tall buildings eh?

Brandywine Executive 1: Yea! And not just more of them, they're covering a larger area. Spread out.

Brandywine Executive 2: An interesting concept...

Brandywine Executive 1: What do you say we do the same thing in Philadelphia, build a tall building all the way on the other side of the Schuylkill River?

Brandywine Executive 2: I think you're on to something! Let's do it!

Brandywine Executive 1: Huzzah!

Brandywine Executive 2: Consider us influenced by the NYC and Chicago skylines!

[R5Ryder]

Is it confirmed that the FMC logo is going on the building (and will be illuminated) or is that just on the renders?

[thisisforreal]

Originally Posted by TechTalkGuy

I don't know who came up with the idea of building the FMC on Schuylkill west, but it's a welcome extension of the skyline.

My turn, allovertown...

Brandywine Executive 1: Look at this parcel of land across the river. It's cheaper than center city, but get this, it's really close to the train station.

Brandywine Executive 2: Do the trains from the station go anywhere?

Brandywine Executive 1: New York, DC, Boston, etc.

Brandywine Executive 2: Hey intern, run our spreadsheet numbers on how to make full use of the parcel.

Intern: 730' ought to do it.

Brandywine Executive 1: I've got a great idea. Let's put a 730' tower there.

Brandywine Executive 2: Excellent idea, old chap.

Brandywine Executive 1: Indubitably.

[Schmidt519]

Originally Posted by R5Ryder

Is it confirmed that the FMC logo is going on the building (and will be illuminated) or is that just on the renders?

Seemingly, it appears that logo will be apart of the new structure, have not heard anything in opposition to it. Although I believe there is a general disposition to oppose the signage on towers. I remember reading Cigna wanted a sign on Liberty 2, which was blocked, and Unisys had plans to move from Blue Bell but condominium owners in Liberty 2 opposed that as well. Bright signs half way up Liberty 2 would have been a travesty. Its already fugly, lets not draw more attention to it. That's just mean putting a hairy mole on the plump Liberty sister.

But then why Aramark Tower and IBX Tower have logos.. Perhaps part of the deal of FMC commitment to this new tower would guarantee their logo which will be great advertisement for them in the region.

[Andy123]

The almost completed Cira Centre South with the FMC tower's crown being built.

[R5Ryder]

Originally Posted by Schmidt519

Seemingly, it appears that logo will be apart of the new structure, have not heard anything in opposition to it. Although I believe there is a general disposition to oppose the signage on towers. I remember reading Cigna wanted a sign on Liberty 2, which was blocked, and Unisys had plans to move from Blue Bell but condominium owners in Liberty 2 opposed that as well. Bright signs half way up Liberty 2 would have been a travesty. Its already fugly, lets not draw more attention to it. That's just mean putting a hairy mole on the plump Liberty sister.

But then why Aramark Tower and IBX Tower have logos.. Perhaps part of the deal of FMC commitment to this new tower would guarantee their logo which will be great advertisement for them in the region.

I'm against signage because I don't want advertisements in the photos that I take. Plus they can change every few years, like how stadiums named for banks do. It is hard to develop an iconic look when things change. Something like PSFS is an exception since that's land marked and won't change (it in and of itself is iconic) but it would be a travesty for any of the glamour buildings in the city to have signs.

It's also a slippery slope. Could AT&Tc who has no stake in the building, make a deal with FMC or Brandywine to put their logo on it just as a billboard? Comcast (since they don't have theirs on either of their buildings)?

The FMC one (at least how it looks in the drawings) isn't too bad, all things considered, but I'd rather it not be there.

[mmikeyphilly]

Originally Posted by R5Ryder

I'm against signage because I don't want advertisements in the photos that I take. Plus they can change every few years, like how stadiums named for banks do. It is hard to develop an iconic look when things change. Something like PSFS is an exception since that's land marked and won't change (it in and of itself is iconic) but it would be a travesty for any of the glamour buildings in the city to have signs.

It's also a slippery slope. Could AT&Tc who has no stake in the building, make a deal with FMC or Brandywine to put their logo on it just as a billboard? Comcast (since they don't have theirs on either of their buildings)?

The FMC one (at least how it looks in the drawings) isn't too bad, all things considered, but I'd rather it not be there.

I'm old enough to remember "IVB" (Industrial Valley Bank) aka. 1700 Market, and the red "CP"( Central Penn) on 5 Penn Center for years. Also, the complications of removing "First Pennsylvania Bank" that was engraved in the cement on Centre Square, and "Arco" (Atlantic Richfield) on the smaller Centre Square Tower. Look at PSFS; that sign (obviously) will be up on top until the Building gets demolished 500 years from now.
I worked in 1818 Market in the early '80s, and there was no address or logo on that. Now it has a "Beneficial Bank" sign (that looks tacky). How did they arrange that? Money, probably, it's a bank. You know, money.
I really wonder if there is a rule in Philadelphia, for or against signage. I guess who ever is elected as Mayor, City Council, or just because it's the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
The FMC logo, to me anyway, isn't really that offensive. Look at L.A., I can count 10 buildings just in the downtown district that have some form of "sign". Not comparing Philly to L. A., but again, no big deal. Love it or hate it, it's not going to stop the signage confusion, that sometimes works, or sometimes it doesn't. So, just sit back and watch the show.

[TechTalkGuy]

I want to chime in with signage.

Yes, I miss the "CP" logo!
I also miss the gold TRUMP from the CBS building on 5th Ave (before Apple built their 5th Ave iconic "cube") across from The Plaza.

I actually like the "FMC" logo!!

[PHL10]

Saturday:

[summersm343]

^^Nice shot!

[summersm343]

Update from Building Philly



https://www.facebook.com/BuildingPhilly

[summersm343]

Update from Building Philly



https://www.facebook.com/BuildingPhilly

[TechTalkGuy]

SomeSkylineShots

[mattejb]

Saw this building as I was flying out of Philadelphia last night.
Looks great with all the bright lights! Would fit right in Shanghai.
Sorry for no photo.