A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has noted that construction work has still not started at a 315-foot-tall, 24-story tower proposed at 702 Sansom Street in Market East, Center City. Designed by SLCE Architects and developed by Toll Brothers, the development will hold 85 residential units.
702 Sansom Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2023
702 Sansom Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2023
702 Sansom Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2023
702 Sansom Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2023
The project has a lengthy, and controversial due to its location on historic Jewelers Row, development history. The latest permit, covering a lot merger, was issued in 2018. At this point, no progress has been made aside from demolition of the original low-rise structures that stood at the site and excavation of the pit. To this day, the pit sits empty, as may be seen in our photos.
702 Sansom Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2023
702 Sansom Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. April 2023
702 Sansom Street via Toll Brothers
Given the sensitive location of the site and the buildings that were torn down to make way for the project, as well as the decidedly contemporary design set within a historic setting, the controversy is not uncalled for. However, at this point, development would be much preferred over the persistence of the eyesore vacant lot, and tall height and large development density is certainly warranted at this centrally-located, transit-accessible location.
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Reason why nobody has started work on site.
To hopefully make you jump off a tall building
Toll Hates Philadelphia even though they’re from here.
And the city that permits this loves itself?
Toll sold it to Pearl. Now no construction, what gives?
Guess they did not lock in their loan rates!!!
This is abominable!! Someone should be made to at least clean up this site. Can’t imagine how this monstrosity ever got approved. Totally out of place.
Yuck and double yuck. This is the definition of intrusive, cookie cutter, bland, uninspired design. I pity the firm that came up with this one. -Jim
Pearl needs to be a good neighbor and clean up the site and get rid of the Toll banner remnants still there. Has Pearl given any updates since they purchased the site?
The information in this article is outdated. Pearl properties acquired the lot from Toll Brothers 3 months ago. They are now coming up with their own plans, so there should not be a vacant lot much longer.
And why does it take so long to get anything like this done?
Toll brothers should never have been allowed to demolish these buildings without financing in place.
How easy it is to blame everything on COVID.
Toll Brothers is just another money grabbing big business.
Why should my comment not be posted pending moderation.
Oh I know why, my negative comment about Toll Brothers.
Your comment got caught by the auto-moderator for review, probably triggered by mention of Covid. I had to approve it manually. But feel free to go with the evil developer conspiracy theory if you prefer that instead.