Excavation on the first Schuylkill Yards tower is underway at 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in University City, West Philadelphia. Developed by Brandywine Realty Trust, the mixed-use building, also known as Schuylkill Yards West, will rise to a height of 361 feet and 28 stories, clad in glass and stone. The building is designed by the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, which has also designed the red Schuylkill Yards tower that will stand to the west at 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Once topped out, the tower will have a major presence on the skyline as the fourth tallest building in West Philadelphia.
3025 John F. Kennedy (left) and the Center City skyline. Photo by Thomas Koloski
3025 John F. Kennedy site looking east. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The February update mentioned that permits were submitted in December and that the design eliminated the arches at the bottom, replacing them with blocky columns, and added balconies to the top near the parapet. The March update showed that the groundbreaking took place on March 15, though the ground was already torn up days earlier.
3025 John F. Kennedy site looking north. Photo by Thomas Koloski
3001 John F. Kennedy site looking towards 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The portion of the site that used to be a parking lot is now completely gone and below-ground excavation is now in progress. So far, digging looks to be down to around 10 feet tall below the street level, with many excavators scattered around the site along with a foundation drill rig. The ground for Schuylkill Yards East and Schuylkill Yards West will be dug down for two basement levels. The site for 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard is now closed off due to the site being used to store the piles of rocks and soil from the excavation at 3025 John F. Kennedy and for parking for the workers.
An on-site sign states the building will be completed by September 2023.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Is unfortunate concerning supposed arch elimination. The building’s tight rectilinear form desperately needed visual relief. However, I do not recall that element in original design. I believe it is an element of 3001, to the east.
Notice soils covered and bermed as depicted in last image; have they found contamination?
I specialize in the documentation & preservation of real estate – through the art of film.
I would like to connect with someone regarding the construction progress & documentation of this building!