Permits have been issued for the construction of the Rockefeller Group Logistics Center, an industrial development proposed at 15000 Roosevelt Boulevard in Somerton, Northeast Philadelphia, which will span a total of 656,904 square feet contained within two buildings surrounded by parking lots and landscaping. The project will span a sizable lot at the northern corner of Roosevelt Boulevard and Southampton Road, where the Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry once stood. For Building 1, permits list a floor area of 318,696 square feet and a construction cost of $28.6 million. For Building 2, permits list a floor area of 338,208 square feet and a construction cost of $29.9 million. The design team consists of the Rockefeller Group and PCCP, LLC as the developers, NORR as the architect, Pennoni Associates as the civil engineer, and IMC Construction as the general contractor.
Original Rendering of 15000 Roosevelt Boulevard, when the proposal was known as the Byberry North Business Center. Credit: NORR
Aerial site view of 15000 Roosevelt Boulevard. Credit: NORR
Each of the sprawling structures will rise to a height of 46 feet. The proposed complex was previously known as the Byberry North Business Center. The Rockefeller Group already operates several logistics centers throughout the area, but the Rockefeller Group Logistics Center will be the first collaboration between the Rockefeller Group and PCCP on a Philadelphia industrial project. The development team purchased the lot from the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, a subsidiary of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, which is the city’s public-private economic development corporation. The project will be built by union labor.
The permit issue is a significant step towards completing PIDC’s nearly 20-year process of redeveloping the site of the former Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry (also known as the Byberry State Hospital), which, after having played a key role in the start of a nationwide movement for reforming problematic mental institutions, was closed in 1990 and demolished by 2006. An abandoned bridge, which once connected to Benjamin Rush State Park on the opposite side of the boulevard, still stands over the roadway.
One day, after the long-sought completion of a subway line along Roosevelt Boulevard, we hope to see the boulevard transform into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare. Until that time, however, the Rockefeller Group Logistics Center will serve as a fitting addition for an established industrial and logistics corridor, especially since the Philadelphia industrial submarket currently registers a mere 3.5 vacancy rate.
Rendering of 15000 Roosevelt Boulevard. Credit: NORR
Rendering of 15000 Roosevelt Boulevard. Credit: NORR
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SUPER UGLY!
A lot of logistics centers are sited on a busy highway where trucks will carry deliveries to customers who might been selling cars, helicopters and a variety of stuff needed by a variety of businesses.
A half a mile from my house. I drove by this overgrown site yesterday in fact and wondered why such a prominent location is still empty? A “for lease” sign is still standing on the corner of Southampton Road and the Blvd.
Because the logistics centers were held up by the councilman and since there was no construction taking place due to the permits not released promptly.
I live in the Arbours where the monstrous buildings are going practically in our bedrooms! This is a travesty to put such a large, noisy project so close to a 55+ community. Plans should have been scaled back to a much smaller and quieter project so close to homes. Shame on Philly for letting this happen.
When you purchased your residence, did you check the zoning and consider the fact that a company, by right, may construct a major logistics center next door?
Come on! Is that something people normally would even think about when buying a home – checking zoning by right? So your mantra is “Buyer beware!” Is that the way to be transparent? These warehouses are transforming Phila. into Closet City! They are terrible, except for Union Construction People who don’t give a darn as to what they put up, or where they put it up, as long as it makes jobs for them. Yet, many warehouses will be non-union when occupied! Besides, warehouse jobs will almost surely be replaced by robots and possibly self-driving trucks, with few human jobs created over the long term.
“Is that something people normally would even think about when buying a home – checking zoning by right?”
Well, yes, absolutely. Buying a home is one of the most expensive purchases, if not the most expensive one, in an average person’s lifetime. Any serious home buyer would do this rather basic research about an area – looking up local transit, crime rates, and, yes, local zoning, among many other issues. How could they not?
And did anyone consider the poor animals that once home there. And all those trees being torn down.
Neighbors and their Councilman are responsible for holding up things staring in 2019. In another location where a golf course was demolished for houses and some land was set aside for a logistics centers, another group of neighbors and the same councilman fought the project until the community group declared bankruptcy. City Council voted to indemnify the community groups from shutting down which looks likely the city will have to offer the developer other land in another location so that another developer will build houses on that location.
Wow, They are talking about building a giant warehouse behind Parkwood Playground & now this . I was hoping they would turn the bridge over The Blvd .into a walking trail and make this land part of Bengamin Rush Park .
There a lot of animals that live in there that will be chased out hit by cars etc.. There are so many empty buildings around that could be used Luke the one at Roosevelt Blvd and Red Lion Rd. Use one of those it would save you lots of money. I don’t understand why every piece of ground has to be developed. Leave the trees and animals aline and use the empty buildings that is already there.
I guess people are not never satisfied unless they build something 50 miles away in the desert… But then somebody will be upset that we upset the camels and the scorpions and the cacti
This development may have been better situated less than 5 miles away at the former industrial grounds of Suez and prior Betz Laboratories on Somerton Rd, Trevose, Pa.
Why does this country always have to put industry on every piece of ground in America. Rember when Franklin Mills was supposed to be such a wonderful asset to this community? Take a look at it now, abandoned stores, homeless people, and tractor-trailers taking up half the parking lot. It’s an eyesore! Can city planners ever come up with something beautiful in the Northeast besides frigging shopping centers and industrial parks?
We need more places for seniors to live..why doesn’t someone help them.