Ever since 2016, word had circulated about the new Schuylkill Yards development in University City. Flash forward to 2019, two new developments for the district were finally, officially unveiled: a shorter building at 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard and the 512-foot 3001-John-F-Kennedy-Boulevard just a parcel to the east.
3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Credit: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism
3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Credit: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism
3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Credit: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism
3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Credit: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism
3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Credit: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism
Current site of 3001 JFK. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Current site of 3001 JFK. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Current site of 3001 JFK. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The current site of the tower consists of a large parking lot for businesses in the area, and possibly for workers finishing up the renovation for the Bulletin Building. While the only street entrance will be to the south at John F. Kennedy Boulevard, the rest of the property is bordered by SEPTA Powelton Yard and the West Philadelphia High Line. Under the High Line between the two properties will be a new elevated park, soon to be open to the public possibly once the two towers finish up construction. Construction was bound to start this year, but no tenants or a new announcement for construction has not been released yet.
3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard is bound to attract everyone’s eyes due to its amazing aluminum and red terracotta cladding standing out from the typical blue glass buildings. Incredible two-story high arches at ground level that will connect to the first office floor is among the centerpiece features of the tower, where each arch is pushed back and connects to the others. The part of the arches that are flush with the shape of the tower look like regular beams, yet they are stretched and pushed back to form an impressive lobby covered in red terracotta. The tower is shaped as three stacked boxes, with the southeast edge of the bottom box pushed out and the southwest edge of the top box pushed out further to form this unique shape. Red aluminum panels that outlines all 32 floor plates above the lobby with another band on top.
The skyscraper is expected to be completed by 2024.
The following are YIMBY’s own, unofficial renderings of how the tower would contribute to the skyline (of course, these renderings are speculative and subject to potential change during the design process):
3001 JFK from Market Street. Rendering and photo by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY
3001 JFK and skyline from New Jersey. Rendering and photo by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY
3001 JFK and Cira Center complex from New Jersey. Rendering and photo by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY
3001 JFK. Rendering by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY, image by Google Earth
3001 JFK. Rendering by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY, image by Google Earth
3001 JFK. Rendering by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY, image by Google Earth
3001 JFK. Rendering by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY, image by Google Earth
3001 JFK and 3025 JFK. Rendering by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY, image by Google Earth
3001 JFK. Rendering by Thomas Koloski of Philadelphia YIMBY, image by Google Earth
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This tower looks like it’s part of the Schuylkill Yards master plan.
BTW, the master plan was featured prominently in 30th street station 21 years ago in 1999.