PHILADELPHIA | FMC Tower @ Cira Centre South | 736 FT | 49 FLOORS - Page 100

boxbot · #**1981** Posted **Apr 8, 2015, 11:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmikeyphilly

This construction project (see below) in Chicago, reminds me so much of our FMC Tower. It has about the same height, the floor count is just about the same, it's near a river, and also built above train tracks. The architecture is similar too. It has that "sleek" smooth design. Has anyone else noticed?

CHICAGO | River Point (444 West Lake) | 730 FT | 52 FLOORS
(Located in "Construction" section here in SkyscraperPage Forum.)

They share some common measurements, but not much in appearance. I like the 444 West Lake design but I've always thought the inspiration came from a McDonald's apple pie package.

philatonian · #**1982** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 12:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

Not to mention the views they get of the CHOP/HUP buildings in UC that are going up and the CHOP research tower on the other side of the river. Plus the Dranoff condos at 24th and Locust.

It's wild, isn't it? I'm still hoping for Riverplace and the Marketplace Design Center Tower too. With all the UCity projects, we're transforming from a city bound by two rivers into one that straddles the Schuylkill.

When I moved here 12 years ago I never imagined the city would pop like it has. Part of me doesn't want the recognition we're getting because it means high rent and gentrification. But at the same time it's been amazing watching the city evolve so much.

philatonian · #**1983** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 12:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmikeyphilly

This construction project (see below) in Chicago, reminds me so much of our FMC Tower. It has about the same height, the floor count is just about the same, it's near a river, and also built above train tracks. The architecture is similar too. It has that "sleek" smooth design. Has anyone else noticed?

CHICAGO | River Point (444 West Lake) | 730 FT | 52 FLOORS
(Located in "Construction" section here in SkyscraperPage Forum.)

It reminds me even more of the proposed McGuire Office Tower in downtown LA...

colemonkee · #**1984** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 12:37 AM**

^ That's probably the best comparison.

Yackemflaber69 · #**1985** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 12:46 AM**

Is that still a real proposal?

philatonian · #**1986** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 1:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yackemflaber69

Is that still a real proposal?

The McGuire Tower in LA? Yeah, it was a few years ago. I don't know if it still is.

hammersklavier · #**1987** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 1:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmikeyphilly

This construction project (see below) in Chicago, reminds me so much of our FMC Tower. It has about the same height, the floor count is just about the same, it's near a river, and also built above train tracks. The architecture is similar too. It has that "sleek" smooth design. Has anyone else noticed?

CHICAGO | River Point (444 West Lake) | 730 FT | 52 FLOORS
(Located in "Construction" section here in SkyscraperPage Forum.)

Glad to see I'm not the only one who's had that same thought!

Quote:

Originally Posted by philatonian

It reminds me even more of the proposed McGuire Office Tower in downtown LA...

I hope they didn't pay anybody to put together that horrid Photoshop job...

philatonian · #**1988** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 1:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

I hope they didn't pay anybody to put together that horrid Photoshop job...

It's not the only one...

I kind of wonder if whoever was behind the McGuire proposal saw Cira Centre and just thought it'd look good in LA and hacked up an image. I don't think Cesar Pelli Cesar had anything to do with the rendering...at least I hope not.

1487 · #**1989** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 12:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by philatonian

It's wild, isn't it? I'm still hoping for Riverplace and the Marketplace Design Center Tower too. With all the UCity projects, we're transforming from a city bound by two rivers into one that straddles the Schuylkill.

When I moved here 12 years ago I never imagined the city would pop like it has. Part of me doesn't want the recognition we're getting because it means high rent and gentrification. But at the same time it's been amazing watching the city evolve so much.

But a higher national profile means more investment by companies that arent local. Since the recession we are seeing more development by companies that really have never built anything here. East Market comes to mind. In terms of the media, I dont think they are capable of understanding anything about Philadelphia that doesn't involve Rocky or cheesesteaks. I just saw a piece on ABC about the papal visit and naturally Rocky and cheesesteaks were mentioned. It was pretty disturbing to see how ignorant these talking heads are.

mmikeyphilly · #**1990** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 3:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxbot

They share some common measurements, but not much in appearance. I like the 444 West Lake design but I've always thought the inspiration came from a McDonald's apple pie package.

boxbot good eye! LOL! I wonder how many architects get some of their best inspirations? Over breakfast? haha

Quote:

Originally Posted by philatonian

It reminds me even more of the proposed McGuire Office Tower in downtown LA...

Yes, that is a really close comparison...Isn't that the same location where the Supertall Wilshire Grand Development is building? If not, it's very close proximity to that one.

shakman · #**1991** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmikeyphilly

boxbot good eye! LOL! I wonder how many architects get some of their best inspirations? Over breakfast? haha

Yes, that is a really close comparison...Isn't that the same location where the Supertall Wilshire Grand Development is building? If not, it's very close proximity to that one.

Wilshire Grand is the next block over.

MusicMan84 · #**1992** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 6:17 PM**

The cranes are beginning to be tall enough that you can see exactly where this building will have an impact in the skyline. I'm enjoying the opportunity when I see the cranes pop out in a new angle, of imagining the tower. This one is going to be really fun to watch rise.

jsbrook · #**1993** Posted **Apr 9, 2015, 8:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicMan84

The cranes are beginning to be tall enough that you can see exactly where this building will have an impact in the skyline. I'm enjoying the opportunity when I see the cranes pop out in a new angle, of imagining the tower. This one is going to be really fun to watch rise.

I drove by today, and you can begin clearly seeing the curved shape the building will take from the steel going up as well.

philatonian · #**1994** Posted **Apr 10, 2015, 1:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1487

But a higher national profile means more investment by companies that arent local. Since the recession we are seeing more development by companies that really have never built anything here. East Market comes to mind. In terms of the media, I dont think they are capable of understanding anything about Philadelphia that doesn't involve Rocky or cheesesteaks. I just saw a piece on ABC about the papal visit and naturally Rocky and cheesesteaks were mentioned. It was pretty disturbing to see how ignorant these talking heads are.

I completely agree. The city's either going to be warn Rocky nostalgia or national/international. We're trending towards the latter and I'm fine with that.

As for the local media, it is what it is and always will be. Even New York's local media is steeped in aging BS that the city's abundance of transplants don't care about of even get.

I think some politicians here are beginning to understand the importance of outside investment, but they understandably toe the line. It doesn't matter. Business is business and investors are taking note. Development and improvements around Amtrak's corridor, the industry leads that Comcast ferries in for meetings, and the national media's general (and mind boggling) love affair with Philadelphia are what's driving change. Like you said, it's the higher national profile, and right now Philadelphia is in the spotlight.

I don't want my rent to go up and I'd love to buy a house someday soon. But considering Philadelphia once had 2M residents and we're now a half mil shy of that, I'm pretty sure there'll be ample real estate and new neighborhoods to terraform for at least another decade.

I hate to use a Rocky metaphor, but right now that's exactly what we are. America spent the last four decades crapping all over the underdog, even though we never were that bad, and now they're all like, "wait, what??"