PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[summersm343]

^^Yes. I agree 100%. Aside from Jacob Adleman who writes most of the real estate development articles, I LOATH Philly.com.

It's always very lazy, ill-reported, and majority opinion pieces.

A perfect example is an article written Thursday about the Eagles that seems to have been taken down since. The terrible opinion piece called the signings of Alshon Jefferey and Torrey Smith as bad signings, and said that the wide receiver crops the Eagles had in 2016 had more upside.

Anybody who watches football would know that the Eagles had the worst receiving corps in the league last year, and that Alshon Jefferey could easily be a top 10 wide receiver, and Torrey Smith could easily be top 50 - which would rank better than every receiver the Eagles had in 2015 aside from Jordan Matthews. NFL analysts gave the Eagles an A grade for these free agency signings. Yet, our own dumb-ass Philly.com "journalist" bashed the moves. It really seems that Philly.com will write anything to get views.

In short, I agree with you wholeheartedly.

[TempleGuy1000]

I know lol. This is what I am referring too:

Connor Strong released this- http://www.connerstrong.com/resources/site1/news/Camden%20Investment%20Press%20Release.pdf

They specifically state which incentive program they are seeking. Which why the NJ.com had the details of the requirements.

http://www.njeda.com/financing_incentives/programs/grow_nj

I might be wrong though, like if you were eligible for multiple tax credits for different reasons maybe it does add all the way back up to the initial investments made up front by the companies. I guess the benefit is that these companies would further draw development and outside dollars to the immediate area that an office park in south jersey wouldn't otherwise.

I for one am excited to see it move forward with even more employers. It reminds me a bit of Newport, JC with how close it is to the PATCO and the lightrail running down Cooper St.

[SEFTA]

Originally Posted by summersm343

^^Agreed. Neither or great, but the Pennrose proposal is MUCH better. Less surface parking, more green space, the buildings are taller, and it's a mix of residential, office and hotel with retail.

The Parkway/CDC proposal are all shorter towers, and ALL residential uses with more surface parking and less green space... and a urban farm in the middle of Center City. WTF?

When I see a site like this, I think to myself, this could be the anchor of the entire Chinatown District. With Chinatown Station as the center. I see little in either proposal that implies the significance of this. I would have liked to have seen a project funded by Chinese investors. A Chinese hotel chain? Something imaginative considering the surroundings. There are some pretty theatrical neighbors allowing for a more fantastic approach to the design. A transit station w new pedestrian thoroughfares crossing the site. A direct connection between CC & Temple. This site has much going for it to settle for less. It deserves more of a commitment. So generic. Transit Oriented Development!

[Bernarder]

Hey all,

First time posting, but had to bring this up. I'm planning a trip to Central Asia and was looking around the region on google earth to check it out. Came across the city of Urumqi - some photos didn't seem quite right.

[jsbrook]

Jersey's approach to Camden doesn't make sense in pure economic terms or cost per job or anything like that. But they are trying to save the city, and this about long term investment. If they DON'T do this Camden will continue to degenerate even further into an urban hellscape. The State has decided it will try to stop that from happening and turn things around even at a very high cost.

Originally Posted by TempleGuy1000

I know lol. This is what I am referring too:

Connor Strong released this- http://www.connerstrong.com/resources/site1/news/Camden%20Investment%20Press%20Release.pdf

They specifically state which incentive program they are seeking. Which why the NJ.com had the details of the requirements.

http://www.njeda.com/financing_incentives/programs/grow_nj

I might be wrong though, like if you were eligible for multiple tax credits for different reasons maybe it does add all the way back up to the initial investments made up front by the companies. I guess the benefit is that these companies would further draw development and outside dollars to the immediate area that an office park in south jersey wouldn't otherwise.

I for one am excited to see it move forward with even more employers. It reminds me a bit of Newport, JC with how close it is to the PATCO and the lightrail running down Cooper St.

[allovertown]

Originally Posted by Bernarder

Hey all,

First time posting, but had to bring this up. I'm planning a trip to Central Asia and was looking around the region on google earth to check it out. Came across the city of Urumqi - some photos didn't seem quite right.

That's Zhong Tian Plaza, basically a replica of One Liberty. http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/rittenhouse/one-liberty-place-often-imitated-never-duplicated

[summersm343]

More aerial!


Philadelphia by yamchild, on Flickr


Philly from the air by Eric, on Flickr

[Hrytsyu]

Originally Posted by SJPhillyBoy

As each new rendering of the Camden Waterfront development is updated and released, it just becomes less inspiring, more generic, down graded in design and really nothing exciting. Plus NJ is giving away hundreds of millions in corp welfare to move NJ companies just a few miles into Camden, creating no new economy for NJ.


Conner Strong, other firms propose $245 million move to Camden
Three prominent South Jersey firms planning move to Camden

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_je...orcross-Michaels-245-million-Camden.html

Try to imagine the negative impact Camden, in its depressed state, has had on all the surrounding communities.

That entire area of south jersey is losing population. Real estate values are declining or not performing to historical standards. Sprawling development and haphazardly placed businesses accelerated that phenomenon.

It is no surprise that commercial centers such as Moorestown Mall are suffering. Look at the enormous amount of retail that exists in the area considering the actual population that exists to support it. What a disaster.

That entire region needs to be reevaluated and restructured for more sustainable growth.

Synergies will develop with business concentration in Camden that will provide a refocus for that larger area.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by allovertown

That's Zhong Tian Plaza, basically a replica of One Liberty. http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/rittenhouse/one-liberty-place-often-imitated-never-duplicated

Then too, an apocryphal story has it that One Liberty Place was actually a dusted-off, unbuilt Helmut Jahn design for a project in a different city.

EDIT: Apparently true and originally meant for Houston, according to Paul Goldberger, writing for the NY Times in 1990:

ARCHITECTURE VIEW; PHILADELPHIA CARVES OUT A NEW SKYLINE | NYTimes.com

"It's a variation of a design that Mr. Jahn created originally for Houston and that was never built, so this building might be described as bringing to Philadelphia a Chicago architect's vision of New York as filtered through Houston."

While I'm at it, I may as well link Goldberger's 1987 review of Liberty Place:

ARCHITECTURE VIEW; Giving New Life to Philadelphia's Skyline | NYTimes.com

"The skyline of Philadelphia, far from being destroyed by One Liberty Place, is in fact given new life by this building. The skyline has been transformed from one of the flattest of any American city to one of the richest."

[Knight Hospitaller]

^ I remember a comment at the time, likening the skyline to a hill town surrounding a castle.

[Matthew]

The designs for One & Two Liberty Place date back to 1982 and was also proposed for a "never built" 71-storey World Trade Center in Indianapolis in the 1980s. The original Houston skyscraper was a combination of the designs that became One and Two Liberty Place. The Houston design was closer to Two Liberty's design and the Indianapolis design was closer to One Liberty's design. One Liberty Place is a design that improved, with each version, over the years.

[summersm343]

With cuts looming, feds close Ben Franklin print shop, Jefferson’s Declaration House

Read more here about the effects the upcoming Fed budget cuts could have on Philadelphia:
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Trump-...sing-Ben-Franklin-Jefferson-EPA-IRS.html

[Gonzo the Great]

2015 estimate 1,567,442 +2.7% Slow growth but not bad .
I think 1.700,000 is doable and a nice plateau . Hope there are
enough decent paying positions to support that type of growth in the
next fifteen years .

[Human Scale]

Delete

[SEFTA]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Then too, an apocryphal story has it that One Liberty Place was actually a dusted-off, unbuilt Helmut Jahn design for a project in a different city.

EDIT: Apparently true and originally meant for Houston, according to Paul Goldberger, writing for the NY Times in 1990:

ARCHITECTURE VIEW; PHILADELPHIA CARVES OUT A NEW SKYLINE | NYTimes.com

"It's a variation of a design that Mr. Jahn created originally for Houston and that was never built, so this building might be described as bringing to Philadelphia a Chicago architect's vision of New York as filtered through Houston."

While I'm at it, I may as well link Goldberger's 1987 review of Liberty Place:

ARCHITECTURE VIEW; Giving New Life to Philadelphia's Skyline | NYTimes.com

"The skyline of Philadelphia, far from being destroyed by One Liberty Place, is in fact given new life by this building. The skyline has been transformed from one of the flattest of any American city to one of the richest."

Interesting articles. Philadelphia has caught my attention by just what they are talking about. Cities around the world are talking about "transit oriented development" and "walkable" neighborhoods are attracting Millennials. The World is finding out that Philly has been there all along. Philly is a very unique experience. Sometimes more appreciated by travelers than locals.
I do think that if they kept the height restriction Philly would be an even more truly unique city, but, it was missing something with out a real skyline. Appearing to sleep. Suddenly there are numerous icons (and a butt load o bling) that will help define the city. I believe there will be many more to come.

Lots of buzz. Philly is getting constant attention on news shows. Can't wait til CC 2 is finished and they're using the new skyline on the news programs.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Gonzo the Great

2015 estimate 1,567,442 +2.7% Slow growth but not bad .
I think 1.700,000 is doable and a nice plateau . Hope there are
enough decent paying positions to support that type of growth in the
next fifteen years .

We'll be getting population estimates for 2016 at the end of this month. I'm expecting the population increase between 2015 and 2016 to be about 10,000.

[EastSideHBG]

Loving the aerial skyline pics but sometimes I wish it grew following the river(s) like many cities do, as when you view from some of the more natural and popular angles you can't see just how long it really is.

[Boku]

Originally Posted by summersm343

We'll be getting population estimates for 2016 at the end of this month. I'm expecting the population increase between 2015 and 2016 to be about 10,000.

Probably to be surpassed by Phoenix for the number 5 spot. Then we can talk about annexing some suburbs again!

[Daario]

I don't know if this is the best place to put this, but I just want to thank you guys. The fact that this forum has managed to withstand all the political/cultural wars is amazing, and kudos to summersm for keeping this place about Philadelphia and the built environment. It's great finding niches of my interest online that manage to withstand all the bs online.

On another note, this forum has really pushed my interest in Architecture and Urban Planning. I'm going to be studying Architecture at Philadelphia University this fall. I'm honestly really hype.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Boku

Probably to be surpassed by Phoenix for the number 5 spot. Then we can talk about annexing some suburbs again!

I don't think Phoenix will overtake us this year, but if they do, I will be mighty mad.
I honestly think the first places to be annexed would be Chester and Upper Darby, as both of those are pretty much the city already