The Philadelphia skyline continues to expand its boundaries, and a new proposal on the northern fringe of the skyline will be a major game changer. Today, YIMBY explores the most recent information on Exeter Property Group’s Cathedral Place Phase 2 at 1700 Vine Street, a high-rise that would stand directly north of the iconic Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Logan Square. Massing renderings released by architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz show a bulky, 685-foot-tall tower containing a prodigious amount of office space, as well as ground floor retail and dining. The massing diagram was released earlier this year alongside the unveiling of Cathedral Place Phase 1, which is currently further along in its design.
Cathedral Place Phase 2. Model by Thomas Koloski
Cathedral Place Phase 2. Model by Thomas Koloski
Cathedral Place Phase 2. Model by Thomas Koloski
Cathedral Place Phase 2. Model by Thomas Koloski
1700 Vine will eventually replace the four-story Holy Family Center as well as a large parking lot, both part of the block-spanning archdiocesan campus. The development promises to generate a substantial revenue stream for the cash-strapped archdiocese, which first started accepting proposals for both Cathedral Place sites in 2017. The desirable location just off the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Logan Square should prove beneficial to luring prospective tenants.
Archdiocesan campus block map. Credit: Barbara Hagan via Catholic Philly
The tower would be, by far, the tallest building north of the Parkway, and would be highly visible from numerous vantage points, including the Parkway, the Art Museum, and the Vine Street Expressway. The building would dramatically extend the Center City skyline to the north, and thusly, an iconic design is both warranted and anticipated for the site.
An estimated completion date has not yet been announced.
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It takes a bold vision to develop on this area.
If this tower were built in the central skyline area, it would be seen, but mostly lost due to its height.
However, in this particular vicinity, not only will this tower be seen, it could easily attract future development of skyscrapers in this area.
Philadelphia is attracting allot of development outside of NY and that’s a good thing for the city.