PHILADELPHIA | Mural West @ 523 N. Broad | 363 FT | 32 FLOORS

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by City Wide

Regarding when this might start-----since this is in a tax opportunity zone my guess is when this gets built and what gets built will all be dependent on Blumenfeld's ability to tap into the market of people who are looking to take advantage of the new tax code.
The ground breaking might just be another chance to get some press, like what happened at 1911 Walnut St. The drawings that have been released certainly don't look like anything near being final.

I don't know about you, but those renderings are pretty final-looking to me...

[Knight Hospitaller]

^And the sketch of north broad posted back in October has a building that looks like the new render. It was commented at the time that it did not resemble the original "Bridge-like" proposal. They've been heading this direction for months.

[City Wide]

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

I don't know about you, but those renderings are pretty final-looking to me...

I like the look of this building. But the drawings that have been released are just 'cut and paste' presentation drawings, of the sort that are generally used early on in the design process.
But they do seem to be more thought out then the last batch of drawings, and I'm assuming there must be good reason to go to the expense of changing direction.
Developers for some reason are like card players, for reasons I don't understand they like to not show anything more then they have to. I'd be fine if construction for this tower with this design started this week, but I'm VERY doubtful about a July start----unless its a meaningless start.

[cardeza]

They are already doing some sort of exploratory digging on the site. I was near there yesterday. There is also some sort of wood structure up at the corner which I suppose will be used to mount a sign/rendering/ad for the planned building.

[mcgrath618]

God, I just keep looking at the skyline from my view at Towers Hall at Drexel and I can't help but geek out over how much this will change the skyline. The only thing anywhere close to this north of Vine is the Alexander. This thing is going to be awesome.

[3rd&Brown]

What's the status of 1300 Fairmount and Blumenthal's restaurants at the Divine Lorraine?

[cardeza]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

What's the status of 1300 Fairmount and Blumenthal's restaurants at the Divine Lorraine?

1300 fairmount has been under construction for many months- no crane on site though.

[mcgrath618]

This wasn't submitted to June CDR, so if Blumenfeld wants to keep his word, he's gonna have to submit it by July.

[summersm343]

Not surprised.

[Ogee Phantom]

I have a friend who is working on this project so I can offer some insight on this thread.

The tower was submitted for June Civic Design Review, but there were no spots available at the time of submission (seems to be a busy month). It’s already submitted for July review, so expect images and info soon.

I’ve seen a few new and updated renders. According to my friend, the video screen penthouse was removed because of its enormous cost, but everything else appears to be the same. I prefer the new penthouse as it has more of a carried through elegance as opposed to the top hat feel the screens create.

[Urbanthusiat]

Originally Posted by Ogee Phantom

I have a friend who is working on this project so I can offer some insight on this thread.

The tower was submitted for June Civic Design Review, but there were no spots available at the time of submission (seems to be a busy month). It’s already submitted for July review, so expect images and info soon.

I’ve seen a few new and updated renders. According to my friend, the video screen penthouse was removed because of its enormous cost, but everything else appears to be the same. I prefer the new penthouse as it has more of a carried through elegance as opposed to the top hat feel the screens create.

Nice info, thanks! Looking forward to the June CDR if it's full!

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by Urbanthusiat

Nice info, thanks! Looking forward to the June CDR if it's full!

It already got announced. A ton of good lowrise projects and the resubmissions of the CHoP building:
https://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/p...ignReview.aspx

Glad to hear that Blumenfeld wasn't bluffing. Sad to hear about the screen being removed; I think that Philly needs more clever lighting schemes. If the new crown is better, however, I probably won't be disappointed for long.

Unfortunately, I'll likely be in Britain when the July CDR comes out.

[summersm343]

July CDR submissions will be up on June 19th.

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by summersm343

July CDR submissions will be up on June 19th.

Sweet! Never mind, I'll still be in the states, just in Raleigh!

This tower is just what this intersection needs. I'm super excited to see how they incorporate the subway entrance into the final design of the base.

[PHLJD13]

https://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/p...ET_Reduced.pdf

CDR Submission.

[mcgrath618]

Final height will be 363'. 32 Floors.

[summersm343]

This building looks incredible.

[El Duderino]

i’m so down - build it tomorrow. it carries the center city feel so much and is a very solid design to boot. let’s get the massive lot across the street going too.

[Jawnadelphia]

Awesome, pages 48 and 50 of the CDR are the real money shots for me, as far as the huge impact this tower will have.

[cardeza]

spring garden is still rough. Hopefully this project spawns some more activity east of Broad. Broad to 6th is still full of vacant or poorly maintained buildings and several empty lots. 15th to the Parkway is like a totally different universe by comparison.