PHILADELPHIA | 30th Street Station District | 1,200 FT - 180 FT | 85 - 12 FLOORS

[Mr Saturn64]

So... is that going to affect the way the whole district plan looks now? As in, the buildings get new designs?

[gttx]

Originally Posted by Mr Saturn64

So... is that going to affect the way the whole district plan looks now? As in, the buildings get new designs?

Yes - most certainly. The district plan is a framework for developing the station district and rail yards. What each individual building ultimately looks like is up to individual developers and their design teams. The buildings shown in the district plan renderings are indicative of what could be possible (and, I might add, based on a pretty good understanding of the structural and programmatic constraints of each site). But they aren't an actual design proposal.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by gttx

Yes - most certainly. The district plan is a framework for developing the station district and rail yards. What each individual building ultimately looks like is up to individual developers and their design teams. The buildings shown in the district plan renderings are indicative of what could be possible (and, I might add, based on a pretty good understanding of the structural and programmatic constraints of each site). But they aren't an actual design proposal.

This could do with some coordination and master planning, though, and will hopefully get it from SOM in effectuating a cohesive vision. The towers in Hudson Yards have individual architects too, but Kohn Pederson Fox is still overseeing the process and has input in the tower designs and other elements.

[skyscraper]

Originally Posted by jsbrook

This could do with some coordination and master planning, though, and will hopefully get it from SOM in effectuating a cohesive vision. The towers in Hudson Yards have individual architects too, but Kohn Pederson Fox is still overseeing the process and has input in the tower designs and other elements.

We have more than just input in the tower designs, we are also actually the architects for two of the tallest towers plus the retail base. But we don't really control the other towers, like the SOM building that's going up.

[Boku]

Originally Posted by skyscraper

We have more than just input in the tower designs, we are also actually the architects for two of the tallest towers plus the retail base. But we don't really control the other towers, like the SOM building that's going up.

Oh, wow. At least two posters here have an active involvement in this development then. Any more information you can share without getting in trouble?

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by skyscraper

We have more than just input in the tower designs, we are also actually the architects for two of the tallest towers plus the retail base. But we don't really control the other towers, like the SOM building that's going up.

Thanks for the info!

[skyscraper]

Originally Posted by Boku

Oh, wow. At least two posters here have an active involvement in this development then. Any more information you can share without getting in trouble?

Unfortunately I don't work on the project, just know a bit about it from being around it in the office. Will share what I know when I can, but you may be disappointed.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by skyscraper

Unfortunately I don't work on the project, just know a bit about it from being around it in the office. Will share what I know when I can, but you may be disappointed.

So long as what you're sharing is forward progress, I can't imagine being disappointed by seeing any updates.

[McBane]

I think it's significant to have differing architects and diverse designs. What you don't want is something like RenCenter in Detroit.

[gjrip]

Originally Posted by McBane

I think it's significant to have differing architects and diverse designs. What you don't want is something like RenCenter in Detroit.

Awww I like the Ren Cen!

[City Wide]

Originally Posted by skyscraper

We have more than just input in the tower designs, we are also actually the architects for two of the tallest towers plus the retail base. But we don't really control the other towers, like the SOM building that's going up.

I'm confused, what's the status of this project? The Amtrak PDF talks about 30th St. Station development in the same terms as 4 or 5 other station possibilities. But the above sounds as if architects have been picked for part of the work.

The last concrete info seemed to be that Amtrak was looking for a developer for just the one site, where Cira 3 was talked about being built. Have things changed?

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by gjrip

Awww I like the Ren Cen!

RenCen is super internally oriented. Historically it didn't even try to be a good urban neighbor.

What we want is something more like Hudson Yards, redevelopment that's fully integrated into the surrounding neighborhood.

[skyscraper]

Originally Posted by City Wide

I'm confused, what's the status of this project? The Amtrak PDF talks about 30th St. Station development in the same terms as 4 or 5 other station possibilities. But the above sounds as if architects have been picked for part of the work.

The last concrete info seemed to be that Amtrak was looking for a developer for just the one site, where Cira 3 was talked about being built. Have things changed?

To be clear, I don't work on Hudson Yards or on the 30th Street Station project. But what I know about 30th Street is that it is not either / or with the other station developments. They are going ahead with 30th Street and with Schuylkill Yards, although these are going to take many years to complete. As far as the other station projects, I have no clue, but even if they do go ahead with those projects it shouldn't affect 30th street.

[City Wide]

Originally Posted by skyscraper

To be clear, I don't work on Hudson Yards or on the 30th Street Station project. But what I know about 30th Street is that it is not either / or with the other station developments. They are going ahead with 30th Street and with Schuylkill Yards, although these are going to take many years to complete. As far as the other station projects, I have no clue, but even if they do go ahead with those projects it shouldn't affect 30th street.

What I was trying to figure out is what is the present status of any of Amtrak's land, except the station itself, at and around 30th St. Station. I don't understand how any architects could be working on anything since RFP's haven't even been requested and there certainly isn't any developer working on the project.
Although I've expressed doubts about the usefulness of the most recent 'master plan' and am doubtful that anything will get built before there is at least one or two more additional master plans put together, I would be glad to be wrong. If DuPont or some other company announced their plans to move to the 30th Station area I'd be the first of many to sing their praises. But I just think that Drexel's plans will come together long before any elevated buildings get constructed over working train tracks.
So, I'm just fishing around hoping that someone knows more then I do, which is about zero, about what's next and when to expect the next step to start.

[gttx]

Originally Posted by City Wide

What I was trying to figure out is what is the present status of any of Amtrak's land, except the station itself, at and around 30th St. Station. I don't understand how any architects could be working on anything since RFP's haven't even been requested and there certainly isn't any developer working on the project.
Although I've expressed doubts about the usefulness of the most recent 'master plan' and am doubtful that anything will get built before there is at least one or two more additional master plans put together, I would be glad to be wrong. If DuPont or some other company announced their plans to move to the 30th Station area I'd be the first of many to sing their praises. But I just think that Drexel's plans will come together long before any elevated buildings get constructed over working train tracks.
So, I'm just fishing around hoping that someone knows more then I do, which is about zero, about what's next and when to expect the next step to start.

In addition to the RFP you mention (for 30th/JFK site) and ongoing work on Schuylkill Yards, there are a few different station projects underway in terms of planning and design. I won't say what they are specifically, other than you should look at what each principal announced when they made the plan public last June. It's safe to assume those are all moving forward.

I will agree to disagree on the usefulness of this 'master plan,' given my own involvement.

[christof]

Got to grease some wheels and line some purses before the 22nd...

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/po...-20170613.html

[PhilliesPhan]

PSA, for anyone interested in showing up:

[mcgrath618]

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan

PSA, for anyone interested in showing up:

I'll be out of town someone fill me in on the happenings

[summersm343]

Amtrak zeroes in on a 30th St. Station Plaza as district plan progresses

Read more here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/busines...-20170711.html

[McBane]

Finally! With all due respect to the Porch, that was a band-aid (and understandably so give the $75m price tag for this project!). This is a real fix and I'm very pleased that it will become a reality.