PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[Stg4100]

Originally Posted by reparcsyks

I hope everyone who hasn't chimed in on this whole Amazon situation jumps in now.

Amazon would be cool.

[acenturi]

Originally Posted by JohnIII

Okay, I've said very little about Amazon since the search started but this topic has gone on for some time and its all based on speculation is seems so I'll jump in................

I've been living in a sort of cloistered environment for awhile and don't really know too much about this. Do Philly people really want to win a contest where the first prize is an all expense paid trip to a Jungle?

[JohnIII]

Oooooh, someone claimed to have inside information; didn't get the memo.

I don't know if anyone else is talking about Amazon coming here; I know we mention it hear but I haven't heard it from many other places. If something happens I'll listen to you folks because most people I think have forgot about it.

[McBane]

Someone here says he has inside knowledge, true. But what he has shared seems to jive with what other people have heard. Together, Amazon HQ2 to suburban DC seems like a decent possibility, although no one here knows for sure. But it's at least appearing that suburban DC is the strongest contender.

Also, I just want to point that some people did doubt Sayitso's claims from the start; but most others seemed on board until he reported that Philly got cut. Now suddenly, everyone's like oh this guy's full of shit. That's at least what it feels like from my perspective. I wasn't actually taking count, so don't take my observation too strong.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by acenturi

I've been living in a sort of cloistered environment for awhile and don't really know too much about this. Do Philly people really want to win a contest where the first prize is an all expense paid trip to a Jungle?

Man, you really have been under a rock. I haven't been paying that close attention either, but its fairly well known that first prize is to bring a second Amazon here. That likely means a drudging of the Schuylkill and a reforestation effort for Fairmount Park.

[TechTalkGuy]

I’m not biased for any city because I don’t live in Philadelphia or New York City.
I’m calling it like I see it.

There’s a benefit to both cities; however Larry Silverstein has 2 WTC waiting 17 years to secure a major lease with the bonus of a major transit hub with direct building access.

Walking distance to SoHo, what’s not to like?

Philadelphia has a major master plan in place for the Schuylkill Yards in the shadows of Drexel U.

As both cities have much to offer Amazon, they could surprise us and choose Brooklyn.

I’m not married to Philadelphia or NYC.
I personally won’t benefit from an Amazon decision.
But who knows?

I highly doubt that the decision makers are reading this forum, so nothing we say will influence their ultimate decision.

Thoughts?
Opinions?

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by TechTalkGuy

I’m not biased for any city because I don’t live in Philadelphia or New York City.
I’m calling it like I see it.

There’s a benefit to both cities; however Larry Silverstein has 2 WTC waiting 17 years to secure a major lease with the bonus of a major transit hub with direct building access.

Walking distance to SoHo, what’s not to like?

Philadelphia has a major master plan in place for the Schuylkill Yards in the shadows of Drexel U.

As both cities have much to offer Amazon, they could surprise us and choose Brooklyn.

I’m not married to Philadelphia or NYC.
I personally won’t benefit from an Amazon decision.
But who knows?

I highly doubt that the decision makers are reading this forum, so nothing we say will influence their ultimate decision.

Thoughts?
Opinions?

It wasn't part of their proposal, so this is just a waste of me typing b/c it's not even being considered.

But...WTC2 is only about 2.5million square feet of space - and Amazon is looking for sites where it can build 8millionsf of space. So unless there's 3-4 more of these going up soon, this building would barely satisfy 30% of their requirements.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Londonee

It wasn't part of their proposal, so this is just a waste of me typing b/c it's not even being considered.

But...WTC2 is only about 2.5million square feet of space - and Amazon is looking for sites where it can build 8millionsf of space. So unless there's 3-4 more of these going up soon, this building would barely satisfy 30% of their requirements.

Right (and people already said this). Does anyone know what Lower Manhattan sites were contemplated, though? Lower Manhattan, more broadly, was presented as an option, I believe. Not that I think there is any chance Amazon sets this up in Manhattan.

[TechTalkGuy]

Thanks for the replies.
I had no idea how much space was needed by Amazon.

With that information considered, the Schuylkill Yards seems like a much better fit for Amazon.

[Tatts]

Amazon in Schuylkill Yards might make for pretty sunsets.
Taken last evening...

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by TechTalkGuy

Thanks for the replies.
I had no idea how much space was needed by Amazon.

With that information considered, the Schuylkill Yards seems like a much better fit for Amazon.

Of course an important caveat is that they need only 500,000+ sq ft initially, scaling up to possibly 8,000,000 much later.

Building Requirements
Initial Square Foot Requirement
500,000+ Sq. Ft. Phase I (2019)

Total Square Foot Requirement
Up to 8,000,000 Sq. Ft. Beyond 2027

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/Anything/test/images/usa/RFP_3._V516043504_.pdf

[BonoboZill4]

How much possible square footage will there be in the Schuylkill Yards project for office space?

[SJPhillyBoy]

Originally Posted by BonoboZill4

How much possible square footage will there be in the Schuylkill Yards project for office space?

http://www.schuylkillyards.com/pdf/brandywine_marketing_book.pdf

14 Acres

6.9M Square Feet Total

6.5 M SF of Greenspace & Improved Streetscape

2.8M SF Office

1M SF Lab
1.6 M SF Residential
247 K SF Hotel

This would be the best choice for Amazon
http://www.schuylkillyards.com/

[mja]

Originally Posted by McBane

Someone here says he has inside knowledge, true. But what he has shared seems to jive with what other people have heard. Together, Amazon HQ2 to suburban DC seems like a decent possibility, although no one here knows for sure. But it's at least appearing that suburban DC is the strongest contender.

Also, I just want to point that some people did doubt Sayitso's claims from the start; but most others seemed on board until he reported that Philly got cut. Now suddenly, everyone's like oh this guy's full of shit. That's at least what it feels like from my perspective. I wasn't actually taking count, so don't take my observation too strong.

Eh, I feel like it's the contrary. More people were calling bullshit early on but cutting Philly out makes his claim more credible, if anything, because if he was just stringing people along you'd think he'd want to string them along until the bitter end. In the end, he's cut things down to just three sites, so he's out on a limb and if he's wrong, he'll lose any credibility whatsoever.

Besides, this is exactly how this shit leaks, stupid stuff with employees, etc. I've gotten wind of some of the problems at CTC both from here and because one of my colleague's husband worked on the site. There are too many people working on these things to keep everything wrapped up tight with zero leaks.

[City Wide]

Be careful what you wish for! (noted, not comparing apples to apples)

https://www.urbanophile.com/2018/08/14/what-happened-after-the-last-hq2-competition/

[Londonee]

^^That's also short term. The article mentions that a new tenant has leased the facility so it's revenue generating again. The bonds issued could be 30 years which means they'll be paid off in the next few years and the built facility will be a straight money earner. If you extend the timeline long enough this will be a win for Indy. Without the initial structural investment in the facility, this would not be possible.

Same with HQ2. If we get $5billion worth of skyscraper investment over 10 years - completely transforming a derelict section of the city into a state-of-the-art office complex - and Amazon up and leaves in 20, we'll probably be out a significant chunk of public money, but we'll still have, ya know a state-of-the-art office complex which can slowly be re-leased up.

[nimshady]

Something is happening at city hall. Went for a walk from work and they are closing it down. I asked a worker what was going on and he said private event. I asked my bosses boss who is very high up in SEPTA and I'm friendly with him and he said its top secret but I'll probably fond out eventually. Curious what it could be that they are closing the whole area around city hall off for?

[Urbanthusiat]

Originally Posted by nimshady

Something is happening at city hall. Went for a walk from work and they are closing it down. I asked a worker what was going on and he said private event. I asked my bosses boss who is very high up in SEPTA and I'm friendly with him and he said its top secret but I'll probably fond out eventually. Curious what it could be that they are closing the whole area around city hall off for?

Amazon HQ 2 decision viewing event /s

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by nimshady

Something is happening at city hall. Went for a walk from work and they are closing it down. I asked a worker what was going on and he said private event. I asked my bosses boss who is very high up in SEPTA and I'm friendly with him and he said its top secret but I'll probably fond out eventually. Curious what it could be that they are closing the whole area around city hall off for?

The actual building or do you mean Dilworth Park is being closed down? The park is closed down more than you'd think (tents, etc.) for private events.

[nimshady]

Both, and I know it's weird because they are kicking people out now and they still wont tell me what event is happening. It's the secrecy that is suspect