The 542-foot-tall, 47-story, 108-unit Arthaus condominium at has recently completed construction at 311 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts in Center City, becoming the most recent addition to the Philadelphia skyline. Replacing several prewar buildings and a parking lot, world renowned architects Kohn Pedersen Fox originally designed the tower in a different style and brand nearly a decade ago. With the revival and change of plans, the tower went from a hotel to a condo after Dranoff Properties acquired the property. The project, formerly known as the SLS International Hotel, dominates the skyline to the southeast of the main cluster of Center City skyscrapers.
Arthaus popping into the Philadelphia skyline from the Walt Whitman Bridge. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus in the Philadelphia skyline. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus joining the Center City skyscrapers. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus and City Hall from South Philadelphia. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus joining the Philadelphia skyline from South Philadelphia. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus and the Philadelphia skyline from I-95 South. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus and the W/Element Hotel. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from South Street Bridge. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Demolition of the former structures at the site took place in early 2015. By the time the ground was broken and machinery disappeared in January 2016, Dranoff Properties announced they would make design adjustments to make it conductive for condo buyers. Officially scrapping the hotel in 2018, the new plans were revealed in June 2019 with a new $253 million design. On the same day of the reveal, the tower had broken ground, marking the first stage of construction. As digging was underway, the tower crane was erected in September and the first concrete pour commenced on October 12th. The basement floor was underway shortly after, and rapidly the first floor rose above ground as it was being assembled in late December.
Arthaus from South Broad Street. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus and skyline from 545 South 11th Street. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus and the Center City Towers. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus and the Center City towers. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from New Jersey. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The Laurel Rittenhouse Square (left) and Arthaus (right) tower cranes. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from a garage during sunset. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus topped out. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The podium floors were constructed in four months, and the condo floors were underway in May 2020, with the structure now visible from the Walt Whitman Bridge. With a steady and quick climb, the tower reached the halfway point by October with cladding installation underway. The crown of the tower was taking shape through the winter, and the topping-out of the concrete took place in February 2021 as we covered the event. The steel to form the parapet was completely installed by June, and the facade wrapped around the whole top by November. The external elevator was taken down in December and the shell wrapped construction in April 2022. Though the ground level retail space is still underway, the residential part of the tower now seems to be open as the lobby is open and cars are seen parked or awaiting valet. The skyscraper has become a handsome addition to the skyline with its sharp and bright glass and metal clad mixture, that fits the modern and postmodernism designs in the Philadelphia skyline.
Arthaus from Pine Street. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from 17th Street. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from the Walt Whitman Bridge. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from Girard Point Bridge. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus with Liberty Place and Comcast Center. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus crown. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus looking northeast. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus lighting. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from the Schuylkill Expressway. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from South Street Bridge during sunset. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus from South Street Bridge at night. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Arthaus construction. Photos by Thomas Koloski
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
The band of lights at the top of the building is way too bright at night, shining right into my apartment windows. Maybe it looks cool in the skyline in a drone photo from afar, but they need to tone it down for the residents who live close by. Also, the red, white and blue band during July looked really lame.
I agree; the light pollution needs to be stopped. It’s obnoxious. Otherwise a great addition to the city.