PHILADELPHIA | W Hotel & Element by Westin | 617 FT | 51 FLOORS - Page 147

City Wide · #**2921** Posted **May 10, 2018, 5:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBane

The building can be "complete" and the hotel can open with this exposed concrete wall, right? If so, then I doubt they will divert resources from work that is required to get the hotel opened in order to do some cosmetic exterior work. I'm not saying it's not important, just that the builders are rightfully focused on all work needed to open the hotel on time. Of course, I say this based on the discussion - I haven't actually seen the wall. Can anyone post a picture?

"on time", this project was had so many delays and surprises, I have no idea what on time would mean any more. Scheduled opening was back in 2015 or before. I understand you point that having a glossy finish on this wall might not technically get in the way of the hotels opening, but depending on what was shown on their building permit application, they might not be able to get a Statement of Occupancy until whatever they planned is complete.
For such a highly designed building, I have a hard time believing that it's back yard won't be decent looking. But I've got no idea what that will be. How about a nice neat wall of Philly red brick.

Knight Hospitaller · #**2922** Posted **May 10, 2018, 5:18 PM**

^ I'd go for a huge mural.

boxbot · #**2923** Posted **May 10, 2018, 5:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

^ I'd go for a huge mural.

A billboard for vitamin D supplements targeting the RARC tenants who will never see the sun again makes sense.

Baconboy007 · #**2924** Posted **May 10, 2018, 5:49 PM**

I took a picture when I walked by today. The picture is from 15th street. You can't really see it in the picture and it's pretty hard to tell from the street level but it does look like there is some kind of hook or something to attach cladding.

JorgeGeorgy · #**2925** Posted **May 10, 2018, 6:26 PM**

I hope you're right about that. The developer of the adjacent Ritz detailed the back of the building with brushed metal panels even though they knew the abutting parcel would be developed.

City Hall tower deserves an elegant back drop. And that wall looks hideous from the South apron of City Hall (photo on previous page, 3rd down from the top).

TechTalkGuy · #**2926** Posted **May 10, 2018, 10:31 PM**

Don’t worry, a huge video monitor shall be attached to the wall & no one will ever see it.
Seriously, you folks worry about a hidden wall that will never be seen.

SEFTA · #**2927** Posted **May 10, 2018, 11:47 PM**

I find it hard to believe they would be allowed to leave it raw like that. Particularly in such an iconic spot with such high visibility. That would be tragic.

boxbot · #**2928** Posted **May 11, 2018, 2:06 AM**

I am 100% confident the north facade will not be left as exposed concrete. I have also scoured the internet, however, and there are no renderings of that side. Like at all. Which is weird.

JurassicPhilly · #**2929** Posted **May 11, 2018, 2:36 AM**

I really like this building and it does wonders for South Broad but I have to say if they leave the north side a blank wall of concrete it will look, like, "not so good."

thisisforreal · #**2930** Posted **May 11, 2018, 11:35 AM**

Why is everyone getting so worked up?

I bet they're going to take all the hidden surprises from the excavation and weld a mural honoring the fine print of contracts and hang it off the north side of the building.

R5Ryder · #**2931** Posted **May 11, 2018, 12:30 PM**

There’s 0% chance it stays a wall of concrete. Let’s get real here. Even I am not worried at all about that.

I’m really surprised how big this building looks when viewed from south broad. I kind of expected it to be a wash since it’s not that much bigger than the building it’s replacing in that view (RATR), but it actually appears much bigger than I thought. Hopefully it peaks out enough from the opposite view to make an impact there as well.

From here on up is the parts that will be in the darker glass, right? Looks like the renderings show the upper mechanical floors clad in black or darker blue glass.

Jawnadelphia · #**2932** Posted **May 11, 2018, 2:21 PM**

https://www.instagram.com/p/BilEvCaByVM/?tagged=phillyskyline

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiXwDXsHuTc/?taken-by=asb21224

JohnIII · #**2933** Posted **May 11, 2018, 2:27 PM**

I feel a bit mixed about the blank wall.

1st Buildings are works of art; I can't really criticize the art before its complete. This building isn't complete; I don't know the final appearance of the structure so I can't really criticize the blank wall in good faith because I have no idea what they'll do with it if they choose to do anything at all I guess.

2nd I find myself considering the site; this is the site they wanted to build a Comcast Tower or Center City Tower that was suppose to be 1050'; they there was a fight over this site between the 2 developers, if memory serves me right that was back when this current sight was called 1441 Chestnut; the battles delayed the construction of both site we are now seeing for years so in the scope of all the troubles that have occurred for this site; I'm just glad we have something finally built because even it the wall is a problem it can be fixed somewhere in the future I guess and its better then an empty parking lot. I guess its a case of a problem that is fixable or even a problem barely seen; versus a problem that was horribly obvious to everyone driving, walking, or visiting Philadelphia and being near City Hall which was a lot. To see the wall we have to look up, look from a specific direction, and then around City Hall tower which most won't do; and its fixable.

But then; well this topic has taken place so now have me pondering this topic. In the grasp of the entire sweep of the skyline; with other projects changing the skyline from Comcast Tech to FMC to maybe say a Mellon Independence Tower which I hope gets built. As the skyline spreads and rises; I want this blank wall to change but also I'm not to sure this blank wall will be seen against the overall grandeur of the skyline.

McBane · #**2934** Posted **May 11, 2018, 2:31 PM**

^ Is there a recent precedent for a building being "complete" and then someone coming back years later and fixing a cosmetic issue? The worst offender are the unfinished tops of Waterfront Square. Is there any hope that will be fixed?

My guess is that for the concrete wall to be "fixed", it would need to be done during this construction period. If all the equipment leaves and the concrete is left exposed, then we're stuck with it.

Where is Blenfest? He can easily clear this up.

JohnIII · #**2935** Posted **May 11, 2018, 2:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallCoolOne

https://www.instagram.com/p/BilEvCaByVM/?tagged=phillyskyline

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiXwDXsHuTc/?taken-by=asb21224

These are really great photos; they don't just show the W well but they show good scale. The 1st photo shows a good angle that shows the effect that the tower at 13th and Market would have. the 2nd photo shows the effects the SLS International would have on South Broad Street with the W on the skyline.

jonesrmj · #**2936** Posted **May 11, 2018, 4:53 PM**

Not trying to self promote myself, but I just recently drew this building on skyscraper diagrams if any of you are interested:

http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=39819

My Diagram:
http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?memberID=26229

Also, I really like the look of this building too!

iheartphilly · #**2937** Posted **May 11, 2018, 5:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesrmj

Not trying to self promote myself, but I just recently drew this building on skyscraper diagrams if any of you are interested:

http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=39819

My Diagram:
http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?memberID=26229

Also, I really like the look of this building too!

Horn tooting is allowed around here. Nice work on your diagram!

Marcos · #**2938** Posted **May 11, 2018, 5:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesrmj

Not trying to self promote myself, but I just recently drew this building on skyscraper diagrams if any of you are interested:

http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=39819

My Diagram:
http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?memberID=26229

Also, I really like the look of this building too!

Hey, can you draw the back of it finished so we can all figure out what it's gonna look like

JohnIII · #**2939** Posted **May 11, 2018, 5:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McBane

^ Is there a recent precedent for a building being "complete" and then someone coming back years later and fixing a cosmetic issue? The worst offender are the unfinished tops of Waterfront Square. Is there any hope that will be fixed?

My guess is that for the concrete wall to be "fixed", it would need to be done during this construction period. If all the equipment leaves and the concrete is left exposed, then we're stuck with it.

Where is Blenfest? He can easily clear this up.

The question for me isn't really about a precedent of a building being built, "Complete" and then someone coming back years later and fixing a cosmetic issue because this building isn't complete as of yet.

I can't be critical of a building that isn't complete yet; its not topped out yet, most glass panels aren't in yet so in most cases they're no exterior walls yet. So if the building isn't complete then how can they go back to do cosmetic work? They're still doing work on the original structure.

Now, there are instances where a building was complete, topped out and made completely functional and yet someone came years later to do cosmetic work; you can see this near by at the KPMG Building or 5 Penn Center which is what it was when it was built; its at 16th and Market on the northwest side. When that building was build in 1970 the street level of the building was complete different but when styles changed after the year 2000; they completely came back and reworked the cosmetics; the building had been complete for over 30 years by that point.

However with this building its not even complete; other than construction workers the hotels aren't functioning yet.

JohnIII · #**2940** Posted **May 11, 2018, 5:27 PM**

I'll though this in the discussion just for fun. Has anyone seen a detailed the north and south elevation of the building because if we see that we can know if it will look like a blank wall or if something unique is planned for it. Its not a big deal to me but now you all have me a bit curious how will they work this out?