Over the course of the past few months, an upgrade of the decorative lighting system has been in progress at One Liberty Place at 1650 Market Street in Center City, where the light strips that highlight the angled top of the tower are being reworked. Designed by Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn and developed by Rouse and Associates, the two massive skyscrapers of Liberty Place were the first in the Philadelphia skyline to boldly break past the informal 548-foot height limit established by the tower of City Hall nearly a century earlier.
One Liberty Place from New Jersey. Photo by Thomas Koloski
When the lights were first turned on upon completion, some persons believed the lighting formed three upside-down W’s that stood for Willard Rouse of Rouse and Associates. Rouse and Associates eventually became Liberty Property Trust, which has built other projects in Philadelphia such as the Comcast Center and the Comcast Technology Center.
The previous update on the display took place just two days after Helmut Jahn’s tragic death. The article had also featured skyline images and close up images of One and Two Liberty Place on the same day the architect had passed. We first observed the upgraded lighting in early February after the crown lights had been off for a while. The display was thought and reported to be complete, until in April it was spotted that the lighting has the capability to display colorful animations.
One Liberty Place from North Broad Street. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The lighting has been rarely tested since the spotting and reporting from YIMBY, but later this month an event is being held to commemorate the lighting upgrade. CBS 3 News reports that the a large group of select people will get the chance to light up the top of One Liberty Place on August 20th, where positions may be won via the entry on One Liberty Place’s Instagram. Eventually the tower will display new animations that will put citizens in awe with one of the city’s tallest trophy towers new nighttime look.
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I love it. 😀
The sheer joy of pride in my city’s growing skyline does not need to compete with other cities because my skyline is not boring to look at.
Adding animated colorful LED lights will just make it even better. 😀
I can’t wait to see how Liberty One will look like with the new lighting; I remember when it was lit the first time right after t was built; it was amazing from the South Street Bridge; truly a sign of a bright future for Philadelphia which we are living now. It would be nice to see Liberty One bright again.
The lights were dimmed to protect migrating birds.
The problem: The birds were confused by lights on the upper level buildings, then fly into them and die.
Liberty Place 1 and 2 were dimmed as a result.
Source: CBS Philly
I just finished watching the animated lights on CBS Philly and the animations will make Philadelphia stand proud.
When combined with the W Philadelphia’s animated top as well as the animated lights on the fmc tower (I have video footage showing THAT spectacular light show), makes me proud of my city. 😀
Go Eagles!! 😉