The 15th place on Philly YIMBY’s December 2021 Development Countdown goes to 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in University City, West Philadelphia. Designed by the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism and developed by Brandywine Realty Trust, the building will rise at a total height of 361 feet and 28 stories. The building will offer a mix of residential and commercial space, the latter being optimized for lab use. The project is also known as Schuylkill Yards West for its placement compared to the proposed skyscraper to the east at 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
The high-rise is part of Schuylkill Yards, a major development that will transform the northern section of University City. Named after its location by the railyard, the complex will consist of several high-rise and low-rise buildings with both commercial and residential programming, as well as public space. The project’s Bulletin Building, a renovation of a postwar mid-rise office structure, opened earlier this year.
3025 and 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Credit: Practice for Architecture and Urbanism
3025 JFK Boulevard Rendering via Brandywine Realty
On the surface, the design for 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard appears rather conventional. However, PAU is known for its high design standards and attention to detail, so we expect a refined structure to rise at the site. The high-rise will add a touch of classical Modernism to the University City skyline, which is currently most notable for the jazzy angles and curves of skyscrapers such as the Cira Centre and PMC Tower. Tall, floor-to-ceiling windows will offer ample sunlight and views for residents. Thin vertical mullions will add a touch of texture to an otherwise Minimalist facade. At the ground floor, brick-clad piers will offer a traditional, tactile experience at the pedestrian level.
The building will rise within one block of the 30th Street Station of SEPTA Regional Rail, as well as the 30th Street station of both the Market-Frankford subway line and the 10, 11, 13, and 34 trolleys. Its next-door adjacency to Drexel University and close proximity to University of Pennsylvania, as well as other institutions, poises it as a favorable location for students, educators, and researchers alike. Center City may be accessed via a short walk to the east across one of the several bridges spanning the Schuylkill River.
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No apparent plan to deal with the noise and air pollution from the Schuylkil Expressway or railroad trains.
The tracks will eventually be built over ala hudson yards if amtrak has their way. Also they don’t truly pollute much, the Schuykill is the major source of pollution, having mostly electrified trains is a bonus of having SEPTA and amtrak here. Also there really isn’t much, there’s a decent chunk of greenery, what else could they do? There building a tower, not managing pollution
Wasnt the tower crane up for this already? I thought you posted an update about it…
Yes it’s up, core structures are above ground too. I’ll swing by the site for another update soon