Two weeks ago, Philadelphia YIMBY has announced the topping-out of The Laurel Rittenhouse at 1911 Walnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City. Designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz and developed by the Southern Land Company, with the Harman Group as the structural engineer and the Hunter Roberts Construction Group as the contractor, the building now stands 599 feet and 48 stories tall, making it the ninth-tallest skyscraper in Philadelphia and the tallest residential building in Center City. The all-residential building (the tallest of the kind on the city) will offer 185 rental units and 64 luxury condominiums. Today we share some new photos from the topping-out ceremony.
The Laurel Rittenhouse topping-out ceremony
The Laurel Rittenhouse topping-out ceremony
On September 28, attendees were whisked to the 47th floor, which offers observatory-like views of the city. Guests were treated to complementary beverages, a commemoration by Southern Land Company Vice President Brian Emmons, live music, and the signing of the ceremonial topping-out beam.
The building’s scale and amenity suites puts it on even footing with counterparts from A-class cities. Its height is comparable to recently finished residential developments in New York City such as The Hub in Brooklyn and Eagle Lofts and Jackson Park in Queens, which are some of the tallest buildings in their respective boroughs (incidentally, the population of Queens nearly matches that of Philadelphia).
The Laurel Rittenhouse rises higher than most of the luxe skyscrapers in both Upper East Side and Upper West Side, some of Manhattan’s most rarefied residential destinations. Its amenity package is also comparable to its uptown NYC counterparts, with perks such as a doorman, concierge, valet parking, in-town car service, fitness center, pool, spa, lounge, pet spa, and more. And while the UES and the UWS sit astride Central Park, The Laurel Rittenhouse overlooks Rittenhouse Square Park, which is arguably Philadelphia’s most cherished public green space.
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I love it. 😀
Comparing to NYC is not needed when we have a much more deliberate skyline with such enormous growth potential.
Philadelphia is underrated and THAT is our advantage!
As visitors arrive in this magnificent and thriving city, they are often surprised with the dazzling visuals, especially after the sunset.
The Laurel is one of my top personal favorites in the city, not because it compares to Bryant Park, but because it’s ours. 🙂
Thank you, Vitali for a well written, clearly expressed and well defined article that adds value to Philly Yimby. 🙂