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Philadelphia archdiocese moves forward with vision to redevelop cathedral campus near Logan Square

A year after the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced its vision for building sleek high-rise towers beside the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, it is officially seeking requests from developers interested in taking on the project.

In a Request for Qualifications issued in late October, the archdiocese said it expected “several” developers to express interest in the project, which aims to develop the 2.3-acre property surrounding the Center City cathedral. Once developers’ qualifications are received, the archdiocese said its expects to bid the project out in early 2018.

To whichever developer is ultimately selected, the archdiocese will extend a 60-year lease for the L-shaped parcel running to the north and east of the 1864 cathedral, located on the 1700 block of Race Street, next to Logan Square. Ultimately, the archdiocese aims to redevelop or demolish three buildings that surround the cathedral: the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center (222 N. 17th St.), the Holy Family Center (227 N. 18th St.), and a former convent on the parcel (adjacent to the rectory at 1701-1711 Race St.). The cathedral, its adjacent chapel, and the rectory will remain untouched.

It is still unclear what might be built in place of the three properties. In renderings presented to members of the Logan Square Neighbors Association last year, the archdiocese envisioned the construction of two sleek, high-rise buildings that would house mostly residential units, the archdiocese said. The building to the north, which appeared in the initial rendering as a 44-story glass tower, would feature ground-floor retail and restaurant space, the archdiocese imagined. To the east, it envisioned a 33-story tower that could accommodate archdiocesan administrative offices on its lower floors. Between both buildings, landscaped paths dotted the area.

In an email in October, however, Ken Gavin, a spokesman for the archdiocese, said the renderings were “merely conceptual” and were used to provide “the community and a potential developer with a sense of what’s possible on the site.”

“Ultimately, the plan will be the developer’s, but we will retain some control over what we permit,” Gavin said. “Presumably, market conditions will influence what’s done.”

The final plan, Gavin said last week, “would need to provide accommodation for the … resident priests and offices.” He said the archdiocese also envisions “that housing for the Archbishop of Philadelphia would be transferred to the current cathedral rectory.”

Drew Murray, president of the Logan Square Neighbors Association, said the archdiocese unofficially presented its initial renderings last year to members of the group, and ultimately gave church officials a “pretty positive” reception.

“What they showed us, it opened up the block and had open public areas, which is what we look for in the community,” said Murray, who said he looked forward to seeing future plans for the space. “We were very happy when they came to us early the last time, and that they wanted to show the community conceptual plans.”

“That’s something really important to the Logan Square Neighborhood association,” Murray continued. “We want to have a positive relationship.”

Read more here:
http://www.philly.com/philly/busines...-20171031.html