Skyline continues to evolve.

Plan Promising to Transform Riverfront Greenlit

Penn’s Landing, a US$3.5-billion, 3.5-million-ft2 proposal from The Durst Organization of NYC, was approved in September by Delaware River Waterfront Corp. (DRWC), paving the way for transformation of a 7.4-acre swath of land on the riverfront that “the highway cleaved from the city center more than a half-century ago,” The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The government-affiliated, nonprofit DRWC chose Durst’s plan over others, including one from National Basketball Association team the Philadelphia 76ers, for its easy integration with tax-funded public amenities like bike paths and parks, lack of reliance on public funds and pledge to prioritize minority participation and economic impact. No building heights were provided, but at least three of the nine towers appear to be of significant height. Construction would take place in phases over roughly nine years, with 1,800 residential units, a 225-room hotel and 95,000 ft2 of office space planned for the tallest towers.

Slender, Mixed-Use Tower Planned

A developer has revealed plans for a 445-ft-tall mixed-use tower at 204 South 12th Street in Washington Square West, Philadelphia YIMBY reported in September. At 32 stories, the slender building would tower over the surrounding blocks. The plans call for three floors of retail space at the bottom, topped by 448 apartment units. Permits have been filed to demolish some structures on the site and commence with the new construction. Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and BLT Architects are behind the building’s design, and Midwood Investment and Development is the developer. The design calls for several open-air terraces near the top, and metal louvers will enclose the rooftop mechanical equipment. The existing structures are expected to be demolished by the end of 2020, and construction of the tower is expected to be complete in summer 2023.

Schuylkill Yards Tower Construction Timelines Released

Construction timelines for a trio of 28-, 34- and 14-story towers making up the Schuylkill Yards megadevelopment in West Philadelphia’s University City have been released, Philadelphia YIMBY reported in September. The first building scheduled to break ground is a 28-story tower at 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Aiming to start construction this fall and be complete in 2023, the structure will feature a “sleek gray façade” that will stand out on the Philadelphia skyline. After it’s completed, the tallest, 34-story tower is set to break ground at 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, with the third, 14-story tower expected to break ground around the same time. Brandywine Realty Trust is the developer of the project, with 6 million ft2 of residential, commercial, retail, green and laboratory spaces on the drawing board.