After a series of disputes and delays, demolition work is underway at 204 South 12th Street in Washington Square West, Center City, where a 32-story residential tower is planned. Designed by Bower Lewis Tower Architects and Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners and developed by Midwood Investments and Development, the building, which was revealed just a few months ago, will consist of a concrete structure clad in glass with orange highlights. The building will include 448 rental units and three floors of for retail.
204 South 12th Street looking northwest. Photo by Thomas Koloski
204 South 12th Street demolition up close. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The site originally held around a dozen attached buildings. One of the buildings, located at the corner of South 12th Street and St. James Street, sported mural of Gloria Casarez, an LGBTQ activist. In November 2020, demolition permits were filed. Demolition was projected to start in the fourth quarter of 2020, but no progress was made in 2020 other than painting over the mural with white paint.
Machines at work on 204 South 12th Street. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Torn up structures at 204 South 12th Street. Photo by Thomas Koloski
YIMBY’s recent showed active demolition work at the property. Most of the block will be demolished in the coming weeks. So far, the 12th Street Gym has been demolished, with more soon to follow.
204 South 12th Street looking southwest. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The building has a projected construction timeline of 31 months with an anticipated completion in summer 2023.
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So, by this time next month, all permits should be ready for site prep?
Construction is planned to begin in the second quarter of 2021 and last for about 31 months after that. However, demolition was supposed to take place in the third and fourth quarters of 2020, so the project is slightly set back. But the site will likely not sit dormant for very long at all due to the controversy about the loss of the beautiful mural on the building.
Any word on who the contractor is who will be building the new development?