Articles by Thomas Koloski

Schuylkill Yards massing aerial looking northwest. Original image by Google Earth, edit and model by Thomas Koloski

Philly YIMBY Presents Up-To-Date Massing Renderings of Schuylkill Yards in University City, West Philadelphia

In West Philadelphia, a major project is bound to change University City in a dramatic way. Developed by developed by Brandywine Realty Trust, Schuylkill Yards includes one building that has already been completed, with the rest in the beginning stages of construction or site preparation. The project, located next to 30th Street Station, has a master plan with multiple buildings, though only four have had their final designs released to the public. The completed Bulletin Building renovation, the 512-foot-tall and 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, and the the 361-foot-tall 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard were designed by the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, while the 226-foot-tall 3151 Market Street was designed by SHoP Architects. The below massing renderings were designed by Philly YIMBY to illustrate the impact of the buildings on the future skyline.

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Sparks Shot Tower from Camden. Photo by Thomas Koloski

A Look at the Sparks Shot Tower, Built in 1808 in Queen Village, South Philadelphia

Philadelphia features numerous old structures with interesting styles of architecture. One of the city’s oldest tall structures is the Sparks Shot Tower, which started construction in 1807 and was completed on July 4, 1808 at 129-131 Carpenter Street in the neighborhood now known as Queen Village in South Philadelphia. The facility, which predates the Civil War by almost 60 years, was designed by Thomas Sparks and John Bishop, who originated the idea for shot towers. The 143-foot-tall structure, which forms a brick-clad cylinder that tapers to the top, still stands to this day.

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Thomas Jefferson Specialty Care Pavilion rendering. Image via Jefferson Health

Basement Floors Of Thomas Jefferson Specialty Care Pavilion Underway at 1101 Chestnut Street in Market East, Center City

The lower basement floors are currently under construction at the Thomas Jefferson Specialty Care Pavilion at 1101 Chestnut Street in the Market East neighborhood of Center City. The skyscraper is a part of project dubbed East Market Phase 3, which will elevate the profile of a city block that was previously occupied by a prewar parking structure. Designed by Ennead Architects and Stantec and developed by the National Real Estate Development, the building will stand 372 feet and 23 stories tall and will feature a curvy glass façade.

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Philadelphia 1905 and 2020 south elevation. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Philadelphia YIMBY Compares Massing Renderings Of The 1905 And The 2020 Skyline

The Philadelphia skyline itself had started in the heart of the city, with the Christ Church in Old City standing as the tallest structure in the city during the Revolutionary era. Though some tall structures have risen at an early date, such as the 143 foot tall Sparks Shot Tower at 129-131 Carpenter Street, which was in operation from 1808 to 1903, the skyline has dramatically transformed in the 1900s. Today Philadelphia YIMBY compares the skylines of 1905 and 2020 via massing renderings.

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