One Liberty Place from the Museum of Art. Image by Russell Kord via Alamy

YIMBY Offers More Perspectives of One Liberty Place Shortly After Completion

The idea of building higher than the William Penn statue atop Philadelphia City Hall was roundly rejected by city planners and the public for a long time. Boldly, in 1983, Willard G. Rouse III of Rouse and Associates bought a large plot of land and scouted for an architect to design a pair of limit-breaking towers. In April 1984, a proposal was revealed to the city, which was met with with heavy opposition, though the decision to go ahead with the project was eventually approved via a vote. In May 1985, the official designs by Helmut Jahn were revealed at the groundbreaking, inaugurating the construction of two office towers and a hotel, which lasted from 1985 and 1990 and changed the Philadelphia skyline in the process. Although Philly YIMBY has already looked at One Liberty Place shortly after completion, today we take look at more perspectives of the iconic structure from the time when it finished construction.

Read More


1725 North 21st Street

Construction Complete at Three-Unit Building at 1725 North 21st Street Near Temple University in Cecil B. Moore, North Philadelphia

Construction has been complete at a three-story, three-unit residential building at 1725 North 21st Street, near Temple University, in Cecil B. Moore, North Philadelphia. Designed by Casalina Design Group, Inc., the structure replaces a vacant lot on the east side of the block between Cecil B. Moore Avenue and West Montgomery Avenue. The development spans 3,480 square feet of interior space, lending an average of over 1,100 square feet per apartment, and features a cellar and two roof decks with sweeping skyline views. Permits list 2323 Cabot Street LLC as the owner and City Suburban Home Builders as the contractor. Construction costs are specified at $325,000.

Read More

Facade Nears Top of 2222 Market Street in Center City West

Substantial development progress continues in Center City West, with multiple new buildings transforming the neighborhood. Over the course of the past year, 2222 Market Street has risen 295 feet tall and 20 stories above ground. Designed by Gensler and developed by Parkway Commercial Properties, the building is poised as the new headquarters for law firm Morgan, Lewis, Bockius LLP, and will also offer retail space on the ground. In this update, Philadelphia YIMBY looks at the under-construction building, where facade installation is approaching the top of the structure.

Read More

1700 North Front Street. Credit: NORR

Development Anticipated at 1700 North Front Street in Fishtown

Last August, YIMBY shared renderings for a five-story, 204-unit development proposed at 1700 North Front Street in FishtownKensington. More than half a year later, no construction permits have yet been filed nor has any construction activity taken place, as confirmed by our recent site visit. Designed by NORR, the 172,844-square-foot building will offer 123,218 square feet of residential space, which will be split between 28 studios, 141 one-bedroom units, 35 two-bedroom apartments, and a 5,264-square-foot amenity suite. The project will also feature 16,429 square feet of retail and parking for 70 bicycles.

Read More