High-rise

Comcast Center (right) in the Philadelphia skyline. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Looking Back at the Comcast Center, Philadelphia’s Former Tallest Skyscraper

The Comcast Center at 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard is the first of a two-tower complex, which had drastically changed the Center City skyline when it passed the height of One Liberty Place, becoming Philadelphia’s tallest building. The structure was completed in 2008 and stands 974 feet and 58 stories tall, with a concrete core and steel floors. The exterior features high quality, mirror-like glass, a departure from the traditional masonry style that Robert A.M. Stern Architects is known for, as seen in limestone-clad towers such as The Alexander at 1601 Vine Street and 30 Park Place in New York City.

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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

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.

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Terrace on 18th Street. Image by Gabe Lui Architectural Renderings

Renovations Underway at The Terrace on 18th Street in Logan Square, Center City

Renovation is underway at the 27-story Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Center City at 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Logan Square, Center City. Upon completion, the circular tower that stands at the corner of North 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be a residential development called The Terrace on 18th Street. The building was originally completed back in 1963 designed by Oskar Stonorov of Korman Co. as an apartment building. In the 1980s it was converted into Embassy Suites, and now Pearl Properties is transforming the building back to a 288-unit apartment structure. Exterior renderings are done by Gabe Lui Architectural Renderings and the interiors are designed by DAS Architecture.

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Rendering of LVL North via JKRP Architects.

Second Tower Crane Erected at LVL North at 510 North Broad Street in Spring Garden, North Philadelphia

Foundation work continues at LVL North, a nine-story, 410-unit development under construction at 510 North Broad Street in Spring Garden, North Philadelphia. A second tower crane has been recently erected at the site. Designed by JKRP Architects and developed by Alterra Property Group, the project is replacing a parking lot that formerly took up most of the block, as well as a a rowhouse formerly located at 563 North 15th Street. The structure will span over 378,000 square feet of total space, along with GIANT leasing nearly one-third of the building’s entire space for a grocery store on the lower levels, similar to Riverwalk. Residential space will take up over 268,000 square feet.

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One uCity Square night lighting. Photo from Civic Design Review

Concrete Work Starts at One uCity Square in University City, West Philadelphia

Concrete work has begun for the foundation at the 13-story One uCity Square in University City, West Philadelphia, after months of excavation. Designed by ZGF Architects and developed by Ventas Inc., the project is a key component of the 14-acre uCity Square development that will span multiple blocks. The building will eventually rise 250 feet tall and will feature office and lab space with Century Therapeutics and Integral Molecular, as well as retail space.

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