Articles by Thomas Koloski

Steel Erection Continues Atop the Arthaus in Washington Square West, Center City

8:00 am on May 31, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

Since Arthaus at 311 South Broad Street in Center City topped its concrete structure, the pinnacle of the building has seen much construction activity as steel at the parapet continues to rise, nearing its final height of 542 feet. The 47-story tower is designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, a firm behind well-known structures such as 30 Hudson Yards and One Vanderbilt in New York City, and the Mellon Bank Center at 1735 Market Street. The developer, Dranoff Properties, owns many properties around the city, such as Symphony House and a future residential building at 337 South Broad Street.

Observing The Comcast Technology Center Shortly After Topping Out

7:00 am on May 30, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

Over the past 40 years, Center City has become home to multiple structures over the height of 500 feet. Philadelphia City Hall was the tallest structure in Philadelphia from 1894 to 1986 at 548, then in 1987 the steel structure of One-Liberty-Place eventually passed the statue to soon top out its spire at 945 feet. The same developers of Liberty Place also developed the next tallest skyscraper in the city, the 974-foot Comcast Center from 2007 to 2017. In 2017, across the street to the west, the Comcast Technology Center became the tallest skyscraper in the city since 2017 and its first supertall skyscraper at 1,121 feet. For this development, Comcast had partnered with Liberty Property Trust, which was originally known as Rouse and Associates. The tower was designed by Foster and Partners, which has designed iconic structures such as the Gherkin in London and the Hearst Tower in Midtown Manhattan. Today Philly YIMBY looks back at the period when the iconic tower’s spire topped out.

Philadelphia 1945 and 2020 south elevation. Model and image by Thomas Koloski

Philadelphia YIMBY Compares Massing Renderings of the 1945 and the 2020 Skyline

7:00 am on May 29, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

In the mid-1940s, the Philadelphia skyline still maintained the general look it received during the construction boom of the 1920s and 1930, when several new towers added significant mass to the Center City skyline. The Philadelphia City Hall still topped the skyline at 548 feet tall, but by the 40s more high-rises were nearing the top of the clock tower, with several rising in the 300-foot range. A number of Art Deco buildings stood out, with predominantly light and dark brown shades. Today Philly YIMBY compares massing renderings of the 1945 skyline and the 2020 skyline.

The Metropolitan, looking northeast, via the building's official website

Taking A Look At The Metropolitan at 117 North 15th Street in Center City

8:00 am on May 28, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

A large number of impressive structures rose in Center City in the first three decades of the 20th century. Several were built in close proximity to City Hall, such as The Metropolitan at 117 North 15th Street in Center City. Designed by Louis E. Jallade, who designed various structures in New York and beyond, the high-rise started construction in 1926 and was completed in 1928. The 26-story tower, which stands just to the northeast of the iconic Love Park, currently houses residential space.

Delaware River Trail. Image via Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

Delaware River Trail Underway Near Penn’s Landing Redevelopment in Center City

8:00 am on May 27, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

The Delaware River Trail that sits just next to the site of the recently proposed Penn’s Landing redevelopment is underway in between the public space and the Interstate 95. The project is a part the Master Plan for the Central Delaware, which will extend and enhance the waterfront. Developed by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, the project will feature open space extending for six miles along the Delaware River from Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia to East Allegheny Avenue in Kensington, with the trail divided into four zones. The public space will feature new vegetation and planting, bi-directional bicycle lanes, solar lighting, and improved public access to the trail.

Skylink Aerial Tramway. Image via Delaware River Port Authority

Looking at the Canceled Skylink Aerial Tramway across the Delaware River

7:30 am on May 27, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

While Philadelphia has seen many projects that were eventually never built, one of the most unique is the Skylink Aerial Tramway proposed to span across the Delaware River, featuring gondolas running on suspended cables. Developed by the Delaware River Port Authority, thus uncommon form of transportation was supposed to connect Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront to Camden, NJ on the east bank of the Delaware River. The trams were planned to move at 160 feet above the river, with both of the towers standing at a total height of 250 feet. The development was projected to complete construction in Spring 2002, but due to the continuous rising budget along with various other issues, including mounting criticism, the project was eventually canceled.

Philadelphia skyline from South Street Bridge. Photo by Thomas Koloski

YIMBY Spots Window Washers on Philadelphia Highrises

7:30 am on May 25, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

Skyscrapers that make up the Philadelphia’s skyline must be maintained to keep a clean look that enhances the city. Though most of the cleaning takes place in warmer conditions, the towers are cleaned during all four seasons, with workers daring the conditions high above the ground. Today, Philadelphia YIMBY exhibits the crews of people who take on the hallenge to keep these large structures in good condition.

2100 Hamilton Street rendering from Cecil Baker and Partners

Facade Nearly Complete at 2100 Hamilton Street in Franklintown

8:00 am on May 24, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

The mirror-like façade is nearing completion at 2100 Hamilton Street, an 11-story condominium located in Franklintown, North Philadelphia. Designed by Cecil Baker + Partners and developed by Bock Development Group, the 115-foot-tall building will have 27 units, many of which will offer pleasant views of the skyline and the Museum of Art. The site is situated near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, allowing the building to be seen from some views along the iconic roadway.

900 North 8th Street via Cosica Mood Architecture

900 North 8th Street Site Remains Cluttered In Poplar, North Philadelphia

7:30 am on May 24, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

The Poplar neighborhood in North Philadelphia continues to grow, with new developments nearing completion, under construction, or in planning. At 900 North Street, a project called The Delilah will consist of two buildings connected by sky bridges. Designed by Cosica Moos Architecture and developed by the APOM Holdings, the project will feature the east building rising to a total height of 134 feet and 11 stories, while the west building will rise 154 feet and 12 stories. The development is sited across from The Poplar, which YIMBY recently covered in a tour.

Center City from South Philadelphia. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Philadelphia YIMBY Observes Tower Cranes in the Growing Skyline

8:00 am on May 23, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

The growth of the Philadelphia skyline has significantly accelerated in the past five years, with projects like the Comcast Technology Center, FMC Tower, W/Element Hotel having been recently finished and more new towers currently under construction. Of course, tower cranes have a prominent presence at each high-rise construction site, whether freestanding or attached to the skeleton of the building. This collection of photos observes the tower cranes that are currently rising in the Philadelphia skyline in areas ranging from Center City to West Philadelphia and even North Philadelphia.

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Articles by Thomas Koloski

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