PHILADELPHIA | THE LAUREL @ 1911 Walnut | 604 FT | 48 FLOORS

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by DudeGuy

How have you found the Fitler Club so far? I was considering joining but the wait list seems super long at this point.

I didn't join. I have a lot of friends who have and thought about it. Still may. But I'm in the suburbs until the end of 2020 (probably), and it hasn't really seemed worth it. I also am not thrilled with the wannabe Soho House vibe that I don't think can deliver. I was a member there in New York, and while it was not economically diverse, there were a lot of creatives I enjoyed (I was one of the few token lawyers left after what was effectively a "purge"of the "suits" around the 2010 timeframe). Not through any fault of its own, Philly just doesn't have the same kind of crowd of well-heeled folks who can pay the dues they want to charge in the fields of marketing, acting, media, PR, the photographers, producers, artists (who can and are inclined to pay the dues), models etc...I don't really need more networking or socializing with lawyers, and real estate folks, and executives. I'm already in that world. Not to say there are no creatives. I just understand that this is not the dominant vibe.


For what it's worth, I have some good friends who I consider sufficiently non-douchey who are liking it. I just haven't been wowed enough to pull the trigger, at least during this year when I'm not going to use it that much. Also, FYI, I think the wait list is fake and if you know Gutstadt or members there, you can probably get in a lot quicker. Looks like Londonee is actually a member, and I'm sure he has his take. I'd bet a lot of Laurel Rittenhouse residents will join...

[Londonee]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

I didn't join. I have a lot of friends who have and thought about it. Still may. But I'm in the suburbs until the end of 2020 (probably), and it hasn't really seemed worth it. I also am not thrilled with the wannabe Soho House vibe that I don't think can deliver. I was a member there in New York, and while it was not economically diverse, there were a lot of creatives I enjoyed (I was one of the few token lawyers left after what was effectively a "purge"of the "suits" around the 2010 timeframe). Not through any fault of its own, Philly just doesn't have the same kind of crowd of well-heeled folks who can pay the dues they want to charge in the fields of marketing, acting, media, PR, the photographers, producers, artists (who can and are inclined to pay the dues), models etc...I don't really need more networking or socializing with lawyers, and real estate folks, and executives. I'm already in that world. Not to say there are no creatives. I just understand that this is not the dominant vibe.

Obviously no place, maybe on the planet, has the mix you're describing in spades like NYC, but I'm a creative and a member at FC and will attest that it has a pretty substantial creative contingent. They went out of their way to "recruit" agency heads, creative directors, production company management and other creative leaders to be part of the first wave of members - specifically to foster the vibe you're describing.

Also, NYC is always walking a fine line in places like this with the never-ending, deep pocketed swarm of Wall Street barbarians banging on the gates at all times. Places like SoHo House are one poor management/membership decision away from looking like a Meatpacking District club on Saturdays.

[iheartphilly]

^^
But, it's not always like that...

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/2015012...-you-rub-shoulders-with-powerful-people/

[thisisforreal]

Drove by this morning on Walnut Street and the lane shift adjustments and striping were in place - don't remember them being there last week.

[TK2001]

https://instagram.com/stories/brianmemmons?igshid=th7n3odtf7vu

[iheartphilly]

Originally Posted by thisisforreal

Drove by this morning on Walnut Street and the lane shift adjustments and striping were in place - don't remember them being there last week.

Yes, from webcam, it looks like it got re-paved with a new coat of asphalt and re-stripped to account for the project.

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Yes, from webcam, it looks like it got re-paved with a new coat of asphalt and re-stripped to account for the project.

Walnut was repaved from Broad to 24th I believe.

[TK2001]

Talked to a worker on Instagram, he said that the tower should be at ground level by March

[TK2001]

He also told me that the crane should be a T top. Not sure which model exactly but it could be similar to Arthaus's or 3720 Chestnut's crane

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by TK2001

He also told me that the crane should be a T top. Not sure which model exactly but it could be similar to Arthaus's or 3720 Chestnut's crane

THey are typically used for concrete buildings when there are going to be thousands of bucket pours. Steel buildings use the other type where lift speed is more critical than lateral speed of the load.

[TK2001]

Originally Posted by cardeza

THey are typically used for concrete buildings when there are going to be thousands of bucket pours. Steel buildings use the other type where lift speed is more critical than lateral speed of the load.

Yes, I know. But I thought they would use the same type of crane the W/Element had because of its height

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by TK2001

Yes, I know. But I thought they would use the same type of crane the W/Element had because of its height

I assume the issue with the W was the proximity of the RARC- the "T" type crane needs a lot of clearance to rotate- likely not viable at that site. The crane they did use could be one reason the project took so long.

[City Wide]

Originally Posted by cardeza

THey are typically used for concrete buildings when there are going to be thousands of bucket pours. Steel buildings use the other type where lift speed is more critical than lateral speed of the load.

I think that many/most new builds use pumps instead of the buckets that you used to see flying through the air. I'm sure buckets are used in certain spots but I'd be surprised if any major large building relies on them for the majority of the concrete placement. Even in steel frame construction where the floors are poured over steel decking the old way of craning a bucket up to a gas powered buggy to move the concrete to where its needed is something I haven't seen in a while. A pump can delivery the concrete right to where its needed.

I have long been curious as to when one of the styles of cranes is used vs the other. The comment about the swing of a fixed boom crane makes sense.

A couple weeks ago there was a short discussion here about why more then one crane is seldom used around here. Over the week end in the reporting about the under construction hotel collapse in New Orleans I noticed they were using 2 tower cranes set up not too far apart. This was a 12 story hotel over a 4 or 5 story parking base, so not what we'd call a huge building.

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by City Wide

I think that many/most new builds use pumps instead of the buckets that you used to see flying through the air. I'm sure buckets are used in certain spots but I'd be surprised if any major large building relies on them for the majority of the concrete placement. Even in steel frame construction where the floors are poured over steel decking the old way of craning a bucket up to a gas powered buggy to move the concrete to where its needed is something I haven't seen in a while. A pump can delivery the concrete right to where its needed.

I have long been curious as to when one of the styles of cranes is used vs the other. The comment about the swing of a fixed boom crane makes sense.

A couple weeks ago there was a short discussion here about why more then one crane is seldom used around here. Over the week end in the reporting about the under construction hotel collapse in New Orleans I noticed they were using 2 tower cranes set up not too far apart. This was a 12 story hotel over a 4 or 5 story parking base, so not what we'd call a huge building.

Good point about the pump, but something has to be moved laterally more frequently in concrete buildings- I think a lot more "stuff" has to be placed to pour a floor on a concrete high rise than on a steel building. I was told this info by a former boss who worked for Cornell earlier in his career. He said on steel buildings there are many more ground to top floor lifts and the speed of the lift was more critical. On concrete the lateral speed of the lifting mechanism is more critical and T cranes can cover lateral distances faster than love and jib cranes. You almost never see T type cranes on steel office buildings. I think the key issue is that T cranes rarely have to do a pick from street level where as the other type CONSTANTLY have to make lifts from street level.

[RWSMADCONC]

"Tee-Top" or fixed jib tower cranes are less costly than luffing jib cranes--they also are faster, as noted previously. Looks like the crane will be set in the 3-story portion east of the tower--so the initial setup has to be tall enough to swing around and not smack into the Rittenhouse Plaza at 1901 Walnut (230 ft high) and free-standing---a crane similar to what is at 3720 Chestnut can free stand up to about 280 feet above the foundation. That would allow the tower to get up to about the 19th floor before the crane needs to be tied to the tower, and then jacked up higher. Luffing cranes are needed when you just cannot free stand tall enough to clear the neighboring buildings when it needs to weathervane---which is the condition that existed at W. Positioning the crane next to the tower also means that the crane can be jacked down with the jib parallel to the long face of the tower, perpendicular to Walnut, to allow an easy dismantle from Walnut at a reasonably low elevation.

[RWSMADCONC]

Positioning the crane inside the tower footprint would result in a frighteningly expensive takedown, with rooftop temporary derricks, and costs and delays to fill in the hole for the mast. Siting the crane through the lower portion is a win from a takedown and infill standpoint.
Two cranes are sometimes used---remember FMC? The decision becomes a cost formula-cranes are super-expensive, and to make them pay they need to be working full time, all the time. Unless there is enough crane demand to keep two cranes going full-tilt all day long, the additional cost is not warranted. Obviously, if the floor plate is so large that there is enough work, then it may be needed---Revel had 3 tower cranes going like mad all day long but that was for a floor plate that was greater than 30,000 SF per floor. FMC had two cranes for the first 28 levels, but had two distinct activities (Core and steel frame) going that each needed a crane full time. At Hard Rock, they seem to have felt that the building was large enough that two cranes were needed, and the height of the building was such that they could dismantle them with a big-— truck crane from Canal Street.
Pump vs. no pump---again, cost formula, but speed plays a role in the formula. A pump and pipeline plus a placing boom that rises with the building is a costly endeavor, but if the crane is working full time moving other stuff, and does not have time to hoist buckets of concrete without huge amounts of overtime, then the pump and boom may be needed.

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by RWSMADCONC

"Tee-Top" or fixed jib tower cranes are less costly than luffing jib cranes--they also are faster, as noted previously. Looks like the crane will be set in the 3-story portion east of the tower--so the initial setup has to be tall enough to swing around and not smack into the Rittenhouse Plaza at 1901 Walnut (230 ft high) and free-standing---a crane similar to what is at 3720 Chestnut can free stand up to about 280 feet above the foundation. That would allow the tower to get up to about the 19th floor before the crane needs to be tied to the tower, and then jacked up higher. Luffing cranes are needed when you just cannot free stand tall enough to clear the neighboring buildings when it needs to weathervane---which is the condition that existed at W. Positioning the crane next to the tower also means that the crane can be jacked down with the jib parallel to the long face of the tower, perpendicular to Walnut, to allow an easy dismantle from Walnut at a reasonably low elevation.

Always good to hear from an insider. Very good information and this definitely explains the situation at the W. I am very surprised they have 2 cranes at 1300 fairmount but it must have something to do with the size of the building. Your explanation also makes it clear why you dont see a lot of fixed jib cranes in crowded cities such as NYC.

[City Wide]

^^^^
thanks for the crane and other info. Climbing up and down a 280' ladder every day must be a lot of fun, especially in less then ideal weather.

[TK2001]

Remember when the CTC had 4 cranes when they were switching one of them? That's rare to see in Philly. Back in the late 80's when Two Liberty was under construction the concrete core had a white T top crane and the steel was being erected by 2 Cornell cranes. IBX Tower also had a white T top crane on the concrete core

[TK2001]

19880422 32 SEPTA Market-Frankford El @ 52nd St. by David Wilson, on Flickr