At number nine on Philly YIMBY’s December 2020 Development Countdown is 204 South 12th Street in Washington Square West, Center City. Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and Bower Lewis Thrower Architects and developed by Midwood Investments and Development, the building will rise 445 feet and 32 floors and include 448 residential units. The tower will replace a group of low-rise buildings and add color to the area with its bright design.
The building will rise prominently above its surroundings and will significantly boost the skyline to the east of City Hall, an area long dominated by the iconic 491-foot-tall PSFS Building (now Loews Philadelphia Hotel) a few blocks to the north. The proposal’s height is surprising for how far away it is from the core skyline of Center City.
204 South 12th Street looking north. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The design was first revealed in August. While the development is a positive boost for the area, it would also involve the destruction of the A Tribute to Gloria Casarez mural that is on the side of one of the buildings planned to be demolished.
204 South 12th Street looking northwest. Photo by Thomas Koloski
In October, demolition permits were issued for the existing properties. YIMBY’s recent walk by the site revealed no demolition progress aside from fences around some of the properties.
204 South 12th Street looking southwest. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The existing buildings on site were expected to be demolished by the fourth quarter of 2020, with a projected construction timeline of 31 months and an anticipated completion of summer 2023. Given the lack of progress so far, it’s likely that timeframe will be pushed back slightly.
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I wonder if the cOVID-19 pandemic had anything to do with it.
32 stories?!? Is that necessary? It’s going to tower above everything in a 5 block radius.
Nice comment!
A tower between the St. James and the PSFS building and the upcoming Arthaus on S. Broad Street is just the beginning.
A by right project.