The Schuylkill Yards development is on the verge of breaking into the University City skyline in West Philadelphia. Permits for a new 361-foot, 28-story, mixed-use office and residential tower at 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard were approved in early December 2019. The tower is one of many slated for the 14 acres of land just to the northwest of FMC Tower. A new park, Drexel Square, was completed last year just east of the Bulletin Building.
Current site of Schuylkill Yards, 3025 JFK will be on the left of the frame. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Similar angle to the photo above. Photo by Brandywine Realty Trust
3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard will rise to the west of another Schuylkill Yards tower, the red-clad 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard that was also unveiled in 2019. Like 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, the site is currently occupied by a huge parking lot used by businesses in the area. Though the lot is bigger than the lot to the east, the tower will stand 151 feet shorter than the proposal on the smaller site.
3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard will have a somewhat basic shape, fitting into a skyline already dominated by blocky buildings. The tower will sit on a large, nine-story podium with the east face angled and aligned with the “High Line”-style just to the east. The project will leave space for a new elevated park between the two proposed towers. Amenity space will sit above the ninth level for use by both the office and residential parts of the building, with the office having a grassy terrace while the residential has an open, pool-equipped deck facing the south along. Above the amenity level, a slim tower above will rise 19 stories, flush on the north side with a two-story parapet on top, while the east face is pushed back but not on an angle like the podium. While the color of the brown building is not quite impressive, the first two stories will gain added appeal from protruding terracotta arches.
Completion at 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard is anticipated completion is 2024.
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The rendering on skyscraper center show how well this tower will add much needed density to the growing skyline. ??