The Rittenhouse Square neighborhood is about to welcome another development that will join the Center City skyline. At 1620 Sansom Street, a 315-foot, 26-story tower under construction is on its way to contribute 306 residential units to the neighborhood. The high-rise was designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz and developed by Southern Land Company, which had also both designed and developed The Laurel Rittenhouse nearing completion nearby. The skyscraper will also have retail space on the ground floor, and will feature fantastic views of the city and Liberty Place.
1620 Sansom Street site looking east. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The tower was proposed back in the summer of 2020, during a time where a wave of new proposals revealed were unexpectedly. The building was originally planned to rise to a height of 340 feet, but a 25-foot height cut was revealed in documents submitted to the city. At the beginning of 2021, work seemed to be imminent as the interior of the parking garage that stood at the site was becoming more barren. Demolition was underway in June and the entire structure was gone in the same month. Excavation was underway two months later, and by October the rectangular pit was formed. Excavation was done six months ago, and the rebar and concrete was already on its way up in April.
1620 Sansom Street looking southeast. Photo by Thomas Koloski
In June, the basement floors were painstakingly underway as the large slabs took time to finish. However, much work has been carried out since the last update, as the tower is officially above the street. The core is assembled with concrete forms, along with rebar sticking out of the ground to soon be covered by future concrete columns. Very soon, the structure will rise past the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia just to the west, which will also eventually block Liberty Place from view from Moravain Street.
1620 Sansom Street looking northwest. Photo by Thomas Koloski
No completion date has been announced, though construction may be finished by 2024.
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Will 1620 Sansom be rental apartments or for sale?
And the prices are how much? And the size of the units are? Lots of info missing from this article to make it relevant…
Very interested in learning more about the building
Is it apartments or condos
Do all units have balconies
When will completion date be