A new design has been unveiled for a large office development proposed at 2000 Arch Street in Logan Square, Center City. Designed by L2P and developed by the Parkway Corporation, the tower will stand 18 stories and 257 feet tall. Chubb is the key tenant lined up for the 474,193 square foot super structure. A total of 74 parking spaces will be located underneath the building, with four being accessible.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
The tower will feature a shiny, modern exterior, fairly similar to the previous design. At the northern portion of the building, the structure will include a slight podium clad in red terracotta cladding creating a grid; this allows the structure to help blend the skyscrapers of Center City into the rowhome blocks of Logan Square. Above, the structure will feature an all glass facade. While the design is fairly generic and similar styles have been seen in the past, it will be a nice addition to the area.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
The structure will offer a solid street presence, creating a tiered sidewalk that provides the street with an interesting layering effect. An open air mezzanine will be located on the upper tier, with large pillars clad in the aforementioned red terracotta meeting the street. A sleek glass fence is shown to separate this space from the sidewalk, interrupted by stairs and other entry points. Floor-to-ceiling windows border this area, likely helping create a bright and airy lobby.
20th + Arch at 2000-24 Arch Street. Credit: L2P
The above image shows the prior design planned for the project. A similar blend of materials were included in that iteration, although the structure retained a different massing. There was a lower use of the terracotta cladding, and the building tapered off through multiple setbacks, rather than the single one seen now. this design featured a similar street presence with floor to ceiling windows as well.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
The new building will be replacing a large surface lot one of many in Parkway’s portfolio. Fortunately, Parkway has shown renewed interest in redeveloping like properties, resulting in a variety of development proposals and opportunities in the future. The location of the surface lot in Logan Square, within a short walk from major transit stations, made it a great candidate for a major office redevelopment. The quaint and historic red brick gas station building that currently stands at the site will be moved to a different location, allowing the history to remain and new development to built.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
Considering the height of other neighboring buildings, the project’s 257-foot-height will be rather insignificant, though it will still constitute a vast improvement over the existing land use. The building will bring much activity to this location, with hundreds of employees coming and going each day, likely boosting surrounding transit ridership and supporting businesses.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
More importantly, however, is what this project means to the city. Compared to years past, with developments like the FMC Tower and Comcast’s supertall headquarters, office development has been rather low. Lab space and hospital-related commercial developments have been the driving forces in Philadelphia’s commerce development, as these generally require higher in-person attendance. Other than the nearly complete 2222 Market Street, there are no other major office projects moving forward in the area, and this project will change that.
Chubb currently operates out of the Independence Building at 5th and Walnut Streets in Society Hill. Knowing that the corporation is not only confident enough in the Philadelphia market to continue operation within this facility, but plans to move into an improved new construction office tower is a great sign for Philadelphia. Currently it is unknown what will happen to the Independence Building after Chubb’s move, but hopefully it will land a new commercial tenant that will continue to provide employment to the local market.
2000 Arch Street. Credit: L2P.
YIMBY will continue to monitor progress moving forward.
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Ugh…boy is that one bland building! -Jim
Bland and boring….same ole Philly.
Then again, what would you expect from L2P.
What happened to the the artfulness of architecture?
Long gone, Michelle. This computer-designed thing is about as generic as they get. That small old gas station now on the site being moved across from Moore college is a lot better. Architecture reflects its society. Another wasted opportunity!
Very “architecturally artful” building designs are overly expensive to create… with WFH being a new norm, capital investment in large buildings is tightening. So unless it’s a monumental building that’ll change the skyline or the money is directly from the tenant building it, you’re not going to see investment into the fancy exteriors on medium sized buildings. They don’t care if it’s not visually pleasing to strangers walking by – you’re not making them money