[PHLtoNYC]

Philadelphia architectural panel recommends changes to proposed hotel at 7th and Chestnut

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...-historic.html

Plans to build a hotel at 7th and Chestnut streets were given a recommendation for approval, with key conditions, by the Philadelphia Historical Commission's Architectural Committee on Tuesday.

The ruling means the proposal can advance, but the project still awaits final approval from the full Historical Commission.

Despite concerns, the committee unanimously recommended approval of the demolition of 704 Chestnut St., which housed the closed Las Vegas Lounge, as long as the entire project is approved by the Historical Commission. The committee recommended denial of the design concepts that were presented Tuesday after arguing the additions to the buildings would overshadow the existing building and the would-be rebuilt building.

Committee members also raised questions about the overbuild portion of the proposal. The additions on top of the historic parts of the building would feature a mix of a white limestone color and a dark color.

Detwiler said the overbuild is “chaotic” and called it the “least successful” part of the proposal. Other committee members agreed, saying the additions to the building would be more eye-catching than the historic elements. Committee member Amy Stein said the overbuild design is too dominant and recommended farther setbacks.