The iconic Philadelphia skyline has dramatically expanded since the completion of One Liberty Place in 1987. Philly YIMBY presents exclusive massing renderings of the 1987 skyline, reflecting the beginning of a period that saw rapid development in Center City.
Philadelphia skyline 1987 looking southwest. Models and image by Thomas Koloski
Philadelphia skyline 1987 looking northwest. Models and image by Thomas Koloski
At the time, cladding work was nearing completion at One Liberty Place, the tallest skyscraper on the massing model, and lighting has been turned on. Designed by Murphy/Jahn and developed by Rouse and Associates, the tower is the centerpiece of a development that would eventually include a hotel, a mall, and second skyscraper. The building broke through the long-held 548-foot height limit set by the “Gentlemen’s Agreement” that prevented buildings from rising above City Hall, and many local figures opposed the tower’s construction.
Philadelphia skyline 1987. Models and image by Thomas Koloski
Philadelphia skyline 1987 looking northeast. Models and image by Thomas Koloski
The second tallest skyscraper at the time was the 565-foot-tall One Commerce Square, located four blocks to the west of One Liberty Place. The 41-story tower had topped out by the time One Liberty was still ascending into the skyline, and opened on October 23, 1987. Designed by I.M. Pei Architects and developed by Maguire Thomas Partners, the high-rise is a part of a twin tower complex, where the second tower was put on hold until 1990 when Conrail signed to lease space in the skyscraper.
Philadelphia skyline 1987 looking northeast. Models and image by Thomas Koloski
Philadelphia skyline 1987 from Belmont Plateau. Models and image by Thomas Koloski
The rest of the towers stand below City Hall’s pinnacle, topped by a 37-foot-tall statue of William Penn, the founder of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. From 1985 to 1990, scaffolding covered the top of the structure, as a a renovation replaced rotting wood with new steel, reinforcing the historic structure. Some of the most notable skyscrapers to stand below the height of City Hall are the 500-foot-tall 1818 Market Street, the 491-foot-tall PSFS Building (794 feet to the top of the antenna), the 491-foot One Meridian Plaza (demolished by the end of 1999), the 482-foot-tall Philadelphia National Bank Building (aka One South Broad Street), and the 384-foot-tall PECO Building at 2301 Market Street.
The Philadelphia skyline as it would have been seen from New Jersey in 1987. Photo and edit by Thomas Koloski
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3 things I remember from the 1987 skyline that stood out was as follows: 1. Liberty One was so much taller that the rest of the skyline that it looked like the Empire State Building and even though it wasn’t as tall it was so dramatic that it really changed what was a flat skyline up to that point. 2. Most of the buildings in the Philadelphia skyline at the time were dark colours; black, grey, brown, etc so Liberty One being blue glass really stood out a lot more than many may think. 3. The lighting of Liberty One at night was very dramatic.
Another skyscraper that had a similar and dramatic impact on the skyline was Cira Center, the first skyscraper built across the Schuylkill River.
Just wait until 3000 Baring Street rises!
THAT will be so tall, you will see it from the Philadelphia Zoo.
And, alas, these pics and renderings represent a much more elegant skyline than what we have today. There is a focal point at the center and a natural cascading to the east and west. It highlighted a unique, dense city.
As opposed to the garish cacophony of mismatched towers we have today, which have zero harmony with each other and – ironically – are smashed together into this tiny 10 block area in such a way that it makes the city look smaller. In Philly’s desperate and fruitless attempt to look like New York or Chicago, it had the opposite effect.
Should have never gone higher than City Hall.
You could say the same about Hudson Yards.
With those oddly shaped towers, I am glad that mess isn’t in Philadelphia.
Liberty Place stands it height for economic reasons as well. It’s not solely 946 feet to be pleasing to the eye. So, to comment it should have never gone higher befuddles me. It looks good, always looked good, with an exceptional architectural design by Helmut Jahn. A dramatic improvement from pre-1987. Liberty Place 1 and 2, Comcast towers and others now gives Philadelphia a contemporary international image and trademark. A top 10 skyline in the US.