University City

Rendering of 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard via Brandywine Realty

Excavation Underway at 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in University City, West Philadelphia

8:00 am on April 26, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

Excavation on the first Schuylkill Yards tower is underway at 3025 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in University City, West Philadelphia. Developed by Brandywine Realty Trust, the mixed-use building, also known as Schuylkill Yards West, will rise to a height of 361 feet and 28 stories, clad in glass and stone. The building is designed by the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, which has also designed the red Schuylkill Yards tower that will stand to the west at 3001 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Once topped out, the tower will have a major presence on the skyline as the fourth tallest building in West Philadelphia.

Construction Wrapping Up On Penn New College House West in University City, West Philadelphia

7:30 am on April 25, 2021 By Colin LeStourgeon

Construction work is wrapping up on Penn’s New College House West, located in University City, West Philadelphia. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the tower rises 12 stories tall at Walnut Street and five stories along Locust Walk. The structure is the University of Pennsylvania‘s latest student dormitory, which will house 450 rooms within 250,000 square feet of space.

Renderings 690 Schuylkill Avenue (top) and 3401 Civic Center Boulevard (bottom). Credit - top: CANNOdesign. Bottom: ZGF/Ballinger.

Philadelphia YIMBY Presents Massing Renderings of Two New CHOP Towers

8:00 am on April 18, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

A month ago, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia unveiled two new towers that are part of a $3.4 billion plan that will add considerable bulk to the University City skyline in West Philadelphia. On the University City side, the University-City-Tower at the presumed address 3401 Civic Center Boulevard will rise across the street from the CHOP Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care at 3500 Civic Center Boulevard. On the Southwest Center City side, 690 Schuylkill Avenue will stand to the northeast of the CHOP Robert’s Center for Advanced Research as the tower, right next to the iconic South Street Bridge.

Philadelphia's South Street Bridge. Looking northwest. Credit: li2nmd via Wikipedia

The History Behind the South Street Bridge

7:30 am on April 9, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

Many locations offer views of the Philadelphia skyline, yet some spots offer uniquely dramatic vistas that effectively catch the eye and stay etched in one’s mind. South Street is home not only to a popular stretch of retail, restaurants, and markets, but also to the South Street Bridge, which crosses the Schuylkill River and connects Center City and South Philadelphia to University City in West Philadelphia. For over a century, the bridge has offered sweeping skyline views to locals and visitors alike. Today Philadelphia YIMBY looks at the history behind the iconic bridge.

The Philadelphia skyline as seen from the Walt Whitman Bridge. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Looking at Some of the Most Impactful Additions to the Philadelphia Skyline Since 2017

8:00 am on April 6, 2021 By Colin LeStourgeon

The Philadelphia skyline has long provided an iconic image for the city and the state, with high-rise buildings dating back to the late 19th century, the most iconic being the City Hall, which topped out in 1894 as the tallest habitable building in the world, a title it held until 1908. Each era of skyscraper construction has made a significant impact on the skyline, with prominent types of skyscrapers defining each time period. The city has recently seen a skyscraper construction boom, which began around 2017, with many high-rises completed and under construction since that time. Philadelphia YIMBY looks at some of the most impactful structures that the city has received during this period.

Construction Progresses on the 281-Unit Next LVL in University City, West Philadelphia

7:30 am on April 5, 2021 By Colin LeStourgeon

Construction is progressing quickly on Next LVL, a mixed-use development at 4223 Chestnut Street in University City, West Philadelphia. Designed by JKRP Architects and developed by the Alterra Property Group, the roughly 250,000-square-foot building stands seven stories tall and is built with modular construction. The project will hold 281 residential units and eight thousand square feet of retail.

The Standard at Philadelphia Unveiled at 119 South 31st Street in University City, West Philadelphia

7:30 am on March 24, 2021 By Colin LeStourgeon

A large proposal called The Standard at Philadelphia has been unveiled at 119 South 31st Street in University City, West Philadelphia. Designed by CUBE 3, the development will consist of a 219-foot-tall building standing 17 stories with two underground levels. The project went to the Civic Design Review but still remains somewhat mysterious because of the limited detail provided. No specific number of residential units has been provided, although it will likely be in the hundreds due to the size of the building. Additionally, the project will contain parking, although the number of spaces has also not been confirmed.

Cira Center, Evo, and FMC Tower from South Street. Photo by Thomas Koloski

A Look Back at How FMC Tower Elevated the West Philadelphia Skyline

8:00 am on March 19, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

The 736-foot-tall, 49-story FMC Tower at 2929 Walnut Street has stood as one of the tallest towers in Philadelphia since its completion in 2017, with a sharp design that elevates the University City skyline to new heights once seen as barely imaginable for the area. Along with Evo and Cira Green, the tower has given West Philadelphia a dramatic profile with eye-catching good designs. The abovementioned skyscrapers have the same designer, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, and all feature angled cuts. Developed by Brandywine Realty Trust, FMC Tower also displays distinctive curvy façades. Nighttime lighting with a red FMC logo topping the north and south faces adds an extra distinctive touch.

Revisiting Visionary Plans for a 30th Street Station District Plan Supertall in University City, West Philadelphia

8:00 am on March 18, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

Several years ago, plans have been revealed for a major megadevelopment to be built on a new deck above the Amtrak railyard on the banks of the Schuylkill River in University City, West Philadelphia. The project is called the Philadelphia 30th Street Station District Plan, as the first phase includes restoration of the historic 30th Street Station. Designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and developed by Plenary Infrastructure Philadelphia, the master plan shows a large number of high-rises and a supertall skyscraper that would become the tallest, or one of the tallest, buildings in the city.

A New High-Rise May Be Coming to 600 South University Avenue in University City, West Philadelphia

7:30 am on March 18, 2021 By Colin LeStourgeon

Demolition is nearly complete at a three-story budget motel at 600 South University Avenue (also known as 600 University Avenue) in West Philadelphia. Located directly on the Schuylkill River waterfront near the southernmost point in University City, the hotel was built in the postwar period and was once geared toward University of Pennsylvania visitors, and was later converted into a prison halfway house and was at times described as a “hot sheets” motel. The facility was eventually shuttered and the structure has stood vacant for years. However, Philly YIMBY’s site visit last weekend revealed that the building has almost been reduced to a pile of rubble. Given its generous zoning and location at a major university, medical, and office hub, the site may be slated for a large, and possibly high-rise, development.

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