The Philadelphia skyline has generally maintained its aesthetically appealing, iconic look at least since its major outward and upward expansion in the 1980s. High-rise buildings stack up gradually to the tallest skyscraper in the city, the Comcast Technology Center, which, at 1,121 feet tall, is Philadelphia’s first supertall. A number of other large skyscrapers also rose during the recent construction boom. In the next four years and beyond, Center City and the surrounding neighborhoods will gain yet more tall high-rise buildings. In this feature, Philadelphia YIMBY compares the 2020 skyline to how it will likely look in 2025.
Philadelphia 2020 west elevation. Model and image by Thomas Koloski
Philadelphia 2020 south elevation. Model and image by Thomas Koloski
Philadelphia 2020 east elevation. Model and image by Thomas Koloski
Philadelphia 2020 north elevation. Model and image by Thomas Koloski
In 2020, the refreshed skyline was looking terrific from multiple angles. The second Comcast tower had just been completed during the past summer, and the 617-foot-tall W/Element Hotel was nearing completion. Another dominating addition is the 736-foot-tall FMC Tower, which stands in University City opn the west bank of the Schuylkill River. The skyline’s expansion heightened its similarity to that of New York City, albeit at a smaller scale. Also during that year, a number of proposals were revealed, which will bring a new look to the cityscape.
Future Philadelphia east elevation. Models and images by Thomas Koloski
Future Philadelphia south elevation. Models and images by Thomas Koloski
Future Philadelphia west elevation. Models and images by Thomas Koloski
Future Philadelphia north elevation. Models and images by Thomas Koloski
The future skyline holds much promise for the city and its appearance. Towers of varying shapes and colors are proposed around the city. In West Philadelphia, the 512-foot-tall, red-clad skyscraper at 3001 John F.Kennedy Boulevard, just to the west of 30th South Street Station, will soon be underway. On the east side of the Schuylkill River, 2301 John F.Kennedy Boulevard is another proposal that will soon be underway just to the south of Riverwalk, which is nearing completion. A slender skyscraper at 113-121 South 19th Street, which recently got a height bump, will stand next to another similarly-scaled tower proposed at 1826 Chestnut Street, and a block to the northeast of the under-construction Laurel Rittenhouse Square.
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The North and South elevations are not showing the skyline across the Schuylkill River. 🙁
Because when looking north and south, the skyline is at its widest. The Schuylkill view is looking West.
3000 Baring Street will be taller than City Hall and really stretch the skyline as the tallest building near the Philadelphia Zoo.
Are you going to consider having multiple skyline views to cover all of the buildings?
Any update on the proposed Cira II tower?