PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread X

[Gatorade_Jim]

Originally Posted by TempleGuy1000

While not much of an update, I think it's a positive step for 8th and Market.

Really hope something happens with this lot. Something that really activates that side of the street would be great. Have to think it would help the FD feel less sketch sometimes. Would love to see the Sixers move their arena there but not sure how likely that is.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by Gatorade_Jim

Really hope something happens with this lot. Something that really activates that side of the street would be great. Have to think it would help the FD feel less sketch sometimes. Would love to see the Sixers move their arena there but not sure how likely that is.

If someone in charge would de-incentivize holding on to a sink-hole in the middle of the most important retail corridor in Philly, that would be a great start.

[McBane]

As long as it's a parking lot, at least there's hope. Honestly, one of my biggest fears for this lot is we end up with something like 1919 Market, which isn't the worst building but it dramatically underwhelms for a lot as large and prominent as 19th and Market. Likewise, 8th and Market deserves something grand and I'll wait another decade if need be.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by McBane

As long as it's a parking lot, at least there's hope. Honestly, one of my biggest fears for this lot is we end up with something like 1919 Market, which isn't the worst building but it dramatically underwhelms for a lot as large and prominent as 19th and Market. Likewise, 8th and Market deserves something grand and I'll wait another decade if need be.

I'd take a not-so-tall Post Bros./Wash. Ave. type project over another 10 years of asphalt.

[McBane]

Actually, when I was writing my post, Broad/Wash crept into the back of my mind as an acceptable low-rise structure that I could reconcile with, over time. Or even something like the Piazza. But I still think it's a shame not to use this lot to add a skyline altering duo or trio of buildings. Doesn't have to be a super tall or anything but at least one tower over 500 feet? I wonder if that's even too much to expect, considering the location is not that great (relative to University City for life sciences; CBD for traditional office space; or Rittenhouse for residential). In any case, whatever is built here should have the same transformational affect that East Market had on the 1100 and 1200 blocks.

[iheartphilly]

Washington Ave from Grays Ferry to Broad Street have transformed over the years all before this project got off the ground. However, this project will create density and get rid of the eyesore lot as a dumping ground for so many years. And, it is not all that far down from Arthaus and the other new project coming online soon on this side of Broad St. Overall, I'm glad it finally got off the ground and caught most of us off guard that something was even going to get built on this corner giving its history with Bart and the community. Not a 500 footer-but certain a win-win in my book.

[Knight Hospitaller]

Originally Posted by McBane

Actually, when I was writing my post, Broad/Wash crept into the back of my mind as an acceptable low-rise structure that I could reconcile with, over time. Or even something like the Piazza. But I still think it's a shame not to use this lot to add a skyline altering duo or trio of buildings. Doesn't have to be a super tall or anything but at least one tower over 500 feet? I wonder if that's even too much to expect, considering the location is not that great (relative to University City for life sciences; CBD for traditional office space; or Rittenhouse for residential). In any case, whatever is built here should have the same transformational affect that East Market had on the 1100 and 1200 blocks.

I agree on all points, we just can't have a "why didn't they build the American Commerce Center" attitude toward this lot. Tall is great. "Transformational/activating" is essential.

[TonyTone]

Who developed the properties where Ironhill and the Wawa are?

Those are good examples of how it should be retail/commercial at the bottom (No brainer)

with 20 stories of residential and office above 🞵🞵🞵🞵 add a hotel on top of it too.

Another bonus would be to connect the back area with a alley street into the new development with the walkway and entrances at the other development making this area a double corridor on the front middle and back.

I do think a 76ers arena would kill it here and cause improvements of everything in the area including the 8th and Market stop.

Maybe even maybe we could bring that Disney plan back to

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by Knight Hospitaller

I agree on all points, we just can't have a "why didn't they build the American Commerce Center" attitude toward this lot. Tall is great. "Transformational/activating" is essential.

Woah woah woah let's not get into this we DID build the ACC.

The Comcast center is clearly a dumbed down version of it.

[skyhigh07]

Unpopular opinion on here probably, but I like Comcast Center better - it’s an overall better proportioned, cleaner design. The massing of ACC seemed clunky. Also, the cantilevered arch/raised terrace feature was a fad that kind of disappeared after the 2000’s.

[Gatorade_Jim]

Anybody else notice that 1213 Walnut is missing a piece of its facade towards the top on the East side? Didn’t get a pic but I noticed it on my walk home from work today.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

Who developed the properties where Ironhill and the Wawa are?

Those are good examples of how it should be retail/commercial at the bottom (No brainer)

with 20 stories of residential and office above 🞵🞵🞵🞵 add a hotel on top of it too.

Another bonus would be to connect the back area with a alley street into the new development with the walkway and entrances at the other development making this area a double corridor on the front middle and back.

I do think a 76ers arena would kill it here and cause improvements of everything in the area including the 8th and Market stop.

Maybe even maybe we could bring that Disney plan back to

National Real Estate Development. They did a fantastic job with that project.
They recently focused their attention to developing the area between Old City and Northern Liberties.

I wish they had control of the South side of Market all the way to 8th Street.
And I wonder what the deal is with the South side of the 1000 block, it's in awful shape.

[William Van Alen]

Originally Posted by skyhigh07

Unpopular opinion on here probably, but I like Comcast Center better - it’s an overall better proportioned, cleaner design. The massing of ACC seemed clunky. Also, the cantilevered arch/raised terrace feature was a fad that kind of disappeared after the 2000’s.

Agreed. Comcast Center is far from perfect, but it's way better than the ACC would have been in my book.

The ACC would have had the "one very tall building effect" where one building (think Burj Khalifa, CN Tower) makes what's otherwise a pretty good skyline look way smaller than it actually is. The ACC would have been like 500 feet taller than everything else at the time.

[jaysb]

Originally Posted by TonyTone

I do think a 76ers arena would kill it here and cause improvements of everything in the area including the 8th and Market stop.

That would be incredible but would an arena fit there??

[Gatorade_Jim]

Originally Posted by jaysb

That would be incredible but would an arena fit there??

I think you’d have to consolidate the entire block, not just the parking lot section. If you included Jefferson’s building on Chestnut in the plan (no idea if that’s feasible) then I think you’d have space. It’d be the whole block from 8th to 9th, Market to Chestnut.

[BroadandMarket]

Originally Posted by jaysb

That would be incredible but would an arena fit there??

The handsome building on the southwest corner of the lot would have to be demolished but yes an arena would fit. Without changing the scaling on Google Maps, I cut the Wells Fargo Center out and laid it on top of the lot.




It would be a bummer to lose that building but this lot and few blocks of Market around here are not great, especially at night when they are sketchy. Now imagine an arena hosting 20,000 people on a Tuesday night for a Sixers game or concert. Think what that would do for Septa, Patco, Jefferson Station, Fashion District and other businesses. It would be transformative for the city and finally bridge old city with center city.

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

National Real Estate Development. They did a fantastic job with that project.
They recently focused their attention to developing the area between Old City and Northern Liberties.

I wish they had control of the South side of Market all the way to 8th Street.
And I wonder what the deal is with the South side of the 1000 block, it's in awful shape.

I think PREIT purchased several of those properties to hold for future development that would compliment fashion district. I doubt there is any chance we will see anything happen there without a sale to new owner.

[mcgrath618]

Or put it on the block the Roundhouse currently occupies. Keep the historic building at 9th and Chestnut.

[TonyTone]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Or put it on the block the Roundhouse currently occupies. Keep the historic building at 9th and Chestnut.

I don't think the Neighbors in that area would be happy about that However it does have the new PATCO station direct highway access and plenty of connections for traffic distribution.

On the other hand at least Market st is the "Entertainment corridor"

Plus this will liven Market up on those dead weekdays.

I wonder if anyone has actually looked at putting an Arena at that location on Market.

[DeltaNerd]

Putting the arena on 8th and Market would be the better version of the MSG plus you don't have to destroy a beautiful train station.

Though the trucking logistics would be super tight especially for the bigger concerts.
Also I would be concerned about the busiest bus route the 47 detouring every time there is a concert or basket ball game.