This is a city, not a museum. If you disagree, I don't think you're on the right website.

As others have said, it's kind of silly expecting an empty lot in a highly desirable area on one of the city's main streets to not be developed. Also, I wouldn't expect to get much pity on a development forum, and one named "skyscraperpage" at that.

Save that NIMBY jazz for philly.com comments.

This is in the middle of a city and not in The Sunbelt. Check yourself.

You know, people usually aren't that naive or stupid when buying real estate. If you buy in this building, you'd have to assume that the lot would eventually be redeveloped. If your building was across from a lot that was zoned for a 3 story building and they built a 20 story building, I might have some sympathy....but this is Market Street in Center City, man?!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...cbaf673e_c.jpg


Look at it this way, Kev. You'll have the same view as the other two sides of your condo building....a view of the building across the street.

I think you actually are pretty lucky. This building is going to be somewhat iconic. Judging by the renderings, I think the street facades will be handled with great care and interest. It will be an amazing addition to the immediate area. It could have been much worse.

I fully agree that no one should have any expectations for a parking lot on Market St to not be built on, and for a number of reasons I hope the south face of the new building isn't largely blank. I guess it all depends on where the elevator shafts and the rest of the core is located.

Is there a strong sense that this project is a go, or are there still a lot of "ifs" floating around that sidetrack this getting built?

It’s 100% a go.

Speaking of Parkway, anyone know if this one from them is gonna be developed anytime soon? This is such a prime lot that I'm surprised that no one has step up to develop it.

https://www.parkwaycorp.com/real-est...-cherry-street

That lot has been tied to potential future PAFA developments, no?

i mean...they also own (or are in partnership with) what's now the most conspicuous lot in Center City - the lot 80ft off Rittenhouse Square at 20th/Walnut. Almost across the street from the Laurel...

I don't recall hearing any public expansion plans for PAFA on that lot. Did you?

Yeah, 20th/Walnut is also prime location. It's a smaller lot. Maybe more McMansions in the sky on a smaller scale. But, we have a lot of luxury units coming online in the future. Not sure what else could work there. Thoughts?

That lot sat 15th and Cherry is big enough to support a supertall. Obviously not an appropriate place for a building that size but my point is that it’s BIG. It’s also outside of City Hall height limits IIRC, so a 400’er would do nicely.

This is going right across the street:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=237248

WTH? We do not protect pristine views in perpetuity. It is the rare place that has zoning laws that protect a view. People are free to move there. When you buy in a city, it is with the expectation that things will always be changing and other buildings may be built that block a view. Except for the rare parcel that is situated such that it's possible for a view blocking building to go up next door or across the street.

And calling that view "pristine" is a stretch. It's a view of a parking lot that looks out onto another parking lot.

I agree. Just speaking generally. Even moreso much ado about nothing in this case.

Yeah, there is no view anyway. There is nothing to look at across the street as well. I’d be excited if I lived there. 10 years ago there was a bunch of adult xxx crap around there.

Hey, just a product of the times, there wasn't internet porn back in the day. HEY NOW!

Honestly. What's with people.

This type of uproar almost killed the Society Hill/dock street project. And it did kill a good looking hotel project on Race and 2nd street that would have completely transformed the east side of Old City.

It's so short-sighted and selfish. I can't believe what people say out loud sometimes.

I'm now anxious to see renderings of the East and South facades.

^^^^^^
Not that I don't believe some have those views especially recognizing it's in the core and on a main street, but I believe the dude was trolling to get a rise out of you guys, which happened.

I mean, the account had been created that day. It was kind of obvious looking back at it.