Delaware River waterfront

Skylink Aerial Tramway. Image via Delaware River Port Authority

Looking at the Canceled Skylink Aerial Tramway across the Delaware River

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.

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World Trade Square aka Renaissance Plaza. Credit: Alesker & Dundon Architects

Visualizing World Trade Square, an Unbuilt Multi-Tower Complex in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia

By Thomas Koloski

Yesterday Philly YIMBY published a feature story covering the 1,050-foot-tall Philadelphia World Trade Center supertall planned at 456 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard on the Delaware River waterfront in Northern Liberties in 1988. After the proposal fell through, developer Carl Marks Real Estate Group contracted Alesker & Dundon Architects to redesign the project as four shorter yet still impressive skyscrapers, which were to take up most of the 5.5-acre site. The development would now be known as World Trade Square, and later as Renaissance Plaza.

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918 North Delaware Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture

Permits Issued for Three Seven-Story Structures at 918-80 North Delaware Avenue in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia

By Colin LeStourgeon

Permits have been issued for the construction of three mixed-use buildings at 918-80 North Delaware Avenue in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia. Designed by HDO Architecture, the development will feature 462 residential units spread across five buildings, with a sixth structure holding building amenities. Permits were recently issued for Building A, Building B, and Building D. Each will rise seven stories and feature a green roof.

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Philadelphia World Trade Center looking northeast. Model by Thomas Koloski

Revisiting the Unbuilt Philadelphia World Trade Center Supertall Proposal

By Thomas Koloski

In 1988, plans were revealed for a 1,050-foot-tall, 65-story Philadelphia World Trade Center supertall at 456 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard on the Northern Liberties waterfront. The tower would have stood just to the north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, located close to the boundary between North Philadelphia and Center City. The plan, which later evolved to the World Trade Square project, consisted of three shorter high-rises alongside the main tower. The skyscraper was designed by Kling Lindquist, which was also bend the Bell Atlantic Tower and the unbuilt Center City Tower. Carl Marks Real Estate Team, along with Lance Silver and Stuart Harting, were the developers.

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PECO Delaware Generation Station. Credit: NatureLifePhoto via flickr

Permits Issued for Redevelopment of the Delaware Generating Station at 1325 Beach Street in Fishtown, Kensington

By Colin LeStourgeon

Permits have been issued for a residential conversion for the iconic Delaware Generating Station, located at 1325 Beach Street on the Delaware River waterfront in Fishtown. The project calls for alterations to the massive abandoned structure and creation of 216 rental residential units. The renovation area will span 235,204 square feet of space. The construction cost is listed at $29,671,303.

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