PHILADELPHIA | The Alexander | 370 FT | 32 FLOORS - Page 37

Mr Saturn64 · #**721** Posted **Nov 21, 2016, 2:29 AM**

Honestly, Franklin Square is my least favorite of the bunch. It just seems really touristy to me. Not only that, but it is true that it rarely sees any development. Rittenhouse is the nicest as a park, and that's got 1911 Walnut possibly coming up. Of course Logan Square has all of the aforementioned projects, and it's very nice in general with the surrounding architecture, both modern buildings and traditional ones like the Basilica and the Free Library. Washington Square may not see much development since the St James was built, but at least it has the historic surroundings and doesn't look like a tourist trap. Center Square is hard to judge because it is no longer a park, and Dilworth "Park" isn't really much of a park. City Hall is a timeless classic, though.

Human Scale · #**722** Posted **Nov 21, 2016, 5:13 AM**

OH MY GOOSHNESS!! I feel so stupid. When I saw Franklin Square I thought Washington Square. OF COURSE Franklin is in an unfortunate location AND CLEARLY the worst. Could be fixed tho, with like 1.5 Billion and free reign.

thisisforreal · #**723** Posted **Nov 21, 2016, 2:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Saturn64

Washington Square may not see much development since the St James was built...

Not to wander too far off topic, but this caught my attention. The St James construction predates my arrival to Philly. Are you saying that its construction hampers development around Washington Square? Was there a backlash from it? Did it help organize NIMBY groups? Or did I misread what you were trying to say?

McBane · #**724** Posted **Nov 21, 2016, 3:21 PM**

I think what Saturn is simply saying that the St. James was the last major development around Wash Square. Of course there were NIMBYs against it, but at present, there's no "easy" development sites here. To any sensible person, the Independence Place parking lot fronting the Square is the most obvious, but the residents there would flip their shit if a high rise was ever proposed there. And there are some nice 3 story buildings on the 700 block of Walnut that would have to be incorporated into any new development because no one would allow them to be demolished outright.

Logan Square is nice, but don't get me started on the Ben Franklin Highway. It's the WORST pedestrian experience in all of Center City, except maybe Columbus Blvd.

Knight Hospitaller · #**725** Posted **Nov 21, 2016, 3:44 PM**

Don't forget that Toll Brothers is trying to build something right of of Washington Square and there are some surface lots nearby (on which we'd rather that they build instead of Jewelers' Row).

McBane · #**726** Posted **Nov 21, 2016, 3:57 PM**

Yup - that is correct. My statement was limited to development actually on or immediately right off the square.

Knight Hospitaller · #**727** Posted **Nov 21, 2016, 4:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBane

Yup - that is correct. My statement was limited to development actually on or immediately right off the square.

Somewhere along the way, I don't know when exactly, we started referring to entire quadrants of the city by the name of the closest square. That's more the case with Rittenhouse and Logan, than with Washington and Franklin, however. I think Toll is close enough to Washington to qualify under any standard, however.

philatonian · #**728** Posted **Nov 23, 2016, 2:53 AM**

I just noticed this was named The Alexander. I dig it, but that name will always make me think of the hotel at 12th and Spruce.

MJPhilly · #**729** Posted **Nov 26, 2016, 3:36 PM**

From the Ben Franklin Bridge walkway today. Judging from the rendering, I think the top floor in this photo is the lower of two floors that are slightly set back from the others. So I think there is one more to go, then it's topped out.

Larry King · #**730** Posted **Nov 26, 2016, 4:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBane

I think what Saturn is simply saying that the St. James was the last major development around Wash Square. Of course there were NIMBYs against it, but at present, there's no "easy" development sites here. To any sensible person, the Independence Place parking lot fronting the Square is the most obvious, but the residents there would flip their shit if a high rise was ever proposed there. And there are some nice 3 story buildings on the 700 block of Walnut that would have to be incorporated into any new development because no one would allow them to be demolished outright.

Logan Square is nice, but don't get me started on the Ben Franklin Highway. It's the WORST pedestrian experience in all of Center City, except maybe Columbus Blvd.

Dilworth's old house on the square is a potential development site though it has been tough to get the zoning. Would love to see a high end skinny tower there

therealdawk · #**731** Posted **Nov 28, 2016, 1:59 PM**

I was always worried about the location of Franklin Square since the big redevelopment a decade ago. I wondered about families wanting to cross Race St. with little kids at their side.

Folks have found a way though. I must say, that winter/light festival thing they are doing has really taken off this year. I've taken my kids to that park for years and the Saturday of the Marathon was the busiest I have ever seen. Jammed packed...kids everywhere!
We literally left to find food in a different place because the line at SquareBurger stretched at least 1/3 around the fountain, if you can picture that. It was insane.