Work appears stalled on the 150-room AC Hotel by Marriott planned at 230 North 13th Street in Chinatown, Center City. Designed by Bergman Associates and developed by Baywood Hotels, the project will integrate a historical building into the design. The 181-foot-tall, 15-story tower will stand out prominently in an area with few tall buildings and will offer fantastic views of the city.
AC Hotel looking north. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The first proposal on the site was revealed in 2014, calling for a 12-story building. Not much news was released after that until three years later, when the plans were revised to make the building slightly taller. In 2018 demolition permits were filed, and signs stating that work is in progress along with additional information were posted at the site in 2020.
AC Hotel looking west. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The historic building still stands on the site. At the end of 2020, the interior was being gutted for the future demolition work to take place. Construction vehicles were noted outside of the property as well, and the inside of the building looked barren aside from clutter scattered around the floor. In our recent visit to the site, no changes have been seen on the building since the previous update. Construction trucks were again seen outside of the building, but it is unknown if they are stationed for this project.
AC Hotel looking southwest. Photo by Thomas Koloski
No anticipated completion date has yet been announced.
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It is possible that another revision is under review for consideration of a major height increase.
Stay tuned. 😉
Very unusual project as it was announced construction was starting. Usually when you proclaim the start of construction, you would be stacking floors upwards by now.
Possible issues – the same people have threatened to stop the project by using. Or the council person held up the zoning/construction permit after confronted by disgruntled people in Chinatown who are doubting the viability of a hotel being built when we have so many hotels built when the pandemic shut down Convention Hall by orders of Governor Wolf. Or the Historical Commission may have some misgivings
Brian be on something and we will have to wait and see.
Wouldn’t be mad at a height increase or a total change of design- this thing is pretty uninspired.