PHILADELPHIA | Broad & Lombard | 552 FT | 43 FLOORS

[arkitect13]

If im reading correctly, not only is this possibly breaking ground within the next few months, but. This will contain 468 units? AND commercial space? All in this firstphase with a possible 200-300ft tower for a 2nd phase? Thats a crap ton of people, and hopefully the 2nd phase is a hotel, because with so many events coming up, having more hotels in center city would be amazing.

[thoughtcriminal]

Originally Posted by arkitect13

If im reading correctly, not only is this possibly breaking ground within the next few months, but. This will contain 468 units? AND commercial space? All in this firstphase with a possible 200-300ft tower for a 2nd phase? Thats a crap ton of people, and hopefully the 2nd phase is a hotel, because with so many events coming up, having more hotels in center city would be amazing.

That is a lot of units, which tells me that these are rentals, not condos. And it's a pretty swanky building for just rentals.

[TK2001]

https://phillyyimby.com/2022/06/new-...nter-city.html

[skyhigh07]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

That is a lot of units, which tells me that these are rentals, not condos. And it's a pretty swanky building for just rentals.

Could be something like The Atlantic where units start at $3,000+. New apartment buildings in NYC that charge astronomical rents also tend to be pretty swank. There’s a significant emerging market for this.

[PHLtoNYC]

Originally Posted by skyhigh07

Could be something like The Atlantic where units start at $3,000+. New apartment buildings in NYC that charge astronomical rents also tend to be pretty swank. There’s a significant emerging market for this.

I can attest to that. Many of the new rental buildings in Midtown Manhattan are quite lux.

And Center City has some other swanky rental towers, 1919 Market comes to mind. And yes, The Atlantic is one of the nicest rental buildings I've see (even by Manhattan standards).

[Gatorade_Jim]

More action on the site today. Not sure what the big pipe is for but there’s probably 15 workers there doing something.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by thoughtcriminal

That is a lot of units, which tells me that these are rentals, not condos. And it's a pretty swanky building for just rentals.

I see that it's pretty much official that UArts is no longer involved, per this April article: University of the Arts raises $67 million in its first capital campaign. Here’s how it’ll be used. | Inquirer

The arts school entered the campaign hoping to build dorms, and at one point eyed becoming a partner in a larger development on the southwest corner of Broad and Lombard Streets. With rents going up in Center City, the question of student housing has become more urgent.

The plan now is for the university to try to sell Pine Residence Hall at 15th and Pine Streets and to use the proceeds to improve the school’s existing housing in several other buildings, said Yager.

[Jayfar]

PHC Architectural Committee yesterday recommended for approval by unanimous consent. Goes to the full commission on July 8. The only public comment came from a near neighbor who was enthusiastically supportive.
The committee recommended serious consideration be given to the materiality on the underside of the tower overhang to maximize reflected light into the gap between the two structures.
A notable minor design plus — no unsightly rooftop cooling equipment on the historic building as cooling for both buildings will be provided by equipment atop the tower.

[William Van Alen]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

PHC Architectural Committee yesterday recommended for approval by unanimous consent. Goes to the full commission on July 8. The only public comment came from a near neighbor who was enthusiastically supportive.
The committee recommended serious consideration be given to the materiality on the underside of the tower overhang to maximize reflected light into the gap between the two structures.
A notable minor design plus — no unsightly rooftop cooling equipment on the historic building as cooling for both buildings will be provided by equipment atop the tower.

Where would the supply air shaft from the tall building to the shorter one go? Not exactly a deal breaker, but just seems like that might be logistically difficult/unsightly. Shafts like that are typically upwards of 20" in diameter.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by William Van Alen

Where would the supply air shaft from the tall building to the shorter one go? Not exactly a deal breaker, but just seems like that might be logistically difficult/unsightly. Shafts like that are typically upwards of 20" in diameter.

I would think that ductwork would be placed within the envelope of the tower, which will connect to the historic building at the first floor rear and basement level. The plans show the existing ductwork to be removed from the existing building's rooftop.

Existing roof ductwork to be removed;
new ductwork to be run inside and
supplied from tower addition.

A great deal of detail in the submission to PHC: https://www.phila.gov/media/20220614...S-Broad-St.pdf

[helloworld]

today from looking in from broad

[Skang]

Is this project under construction ?

[Skang]

It’s just project under construction yet ?

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Skang

It’s just project under construction yet ?

Soon. It still needs final approval from the Historical Commission (meeting July 8) — which is a shoo-in in light of its positive reception by the PHC's Architectural Committee this week — and I think it hits the threshold to require a Civic Design Review as well.

All that aside, the amount of detail in the plans submitted to the PHC would seem to indicate that Goldenberg Group team is poised to move ahead ASAP.

[PHLtoNYC]

^ I wonder what Goldenberg's reasoning is to potentially start on this before their land at 8th & Market? Better economics, smaller footprint, less costly, etc.?

[William Van Alen]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

I would think that ductwork would be placed within the envelope of the tower, which will connect to the historic building at the first floor rear and basement level. The plans show the existing ductwork to be removed from the existing building's rooftop.

Existing roof ductwork to be removed;
new ductwork to be run inside and
supplied from tower addition.

A great deal of detail in the submission to PHC: https://www.phila.gov/media/20220614...S-Broad-St.pdf

Nice, thanks! Definitely a lot of detail in there. Didn't realize the two buildings were going to be physically connected.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by PHLtoNYC

^ I wonder what Goldenberg's reasoning is to potentially start on this before their land at 8th & Market? Better economics, smaller footprint, less costly, etc.?

I'm pretty sure the selection of the development team by the PIDC requires a certain timeline for completion.

[Skang]

Drove around this Site today , there were activities going on

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Skang

Drove around this Site today , there were activities going on

Right, but that's just geological pre-construction drilling, such as for determining the depth of bedrock and/or analyzing the soil. No permits have been issued for construction yet. Patience.

[Jayfar]

This is on the Historical Commission's 'consent agenda' for their July 8 meeting, meaning essentially they will rubber stamp the Architectural Committee's recommendation of approval: https://www.phila.gov/media/20220701...a-20220708.pdf

There will of course be a future CDR meeting (not July), but ahead of that the Center City Residents' Association will have an online RCO meeting in connection with the CDR process on Wednesday, July 13. The dropbox link in their announcement includes the CDR submission pdf.

As part of the City's Civic Design Review process, Center City Residents' Association will be hosting a Zoom meeting to discuss a proposed development at the intersection of Broad and Lombard Streets. The development team will make a presentation and answer questions.
Some details on the proposal can be found at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6631l2frn...iNhJCl7szqHU0a
Please feel free to send questions in advance of the meeting to centercity@centercityresidents.org.
The meeting will be held on July 13, 2022, at 6:00 PM EDT. The Zoom link is as follows: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86084992104