Harper Square. Image via centercityphila.org

Philadelphia YIMBY Reveals Updated Skyline Massings for Harper Square in Rittenhouse Square, Center City

Over the past year, several new proposals for the city of Philadelphia have been revealed that will make a significant mark on the skyline. One of these is situated in Rittenhouse Square in Center City, where a project was revealed at 113-121 South 19th Street. The development, known as Harper Square, will dominate the neighborhood along with the nearly-complete Laurel Rittenhouse. Designed by DAS Architecture and Planning, the residential tower will stand 611 feet and 54 stories tall, and will include 215 units. The slender high-rise is being developed by Pearl Properties, which also developed The Harper, another residential tower located nearby. Today YIMBY presents our latest custom-made building massings that show the proposal’s future effect on the skyline.

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One Liberty Place. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Looking at the Philadelphia Skyline from the Observatory Atop One Liberty Place

Philadelphia is home to several tall skyscrapers in Center City, with One Liberty Place among the most iconic in the group. The steel-framed tower rises at 1650 Market Street to a height of 945 feet and 61 stories above the ground. The skyscraper was designed by Helmut Jahn, who has unfortunately passed in May of last year, as part of the Liberty Place project developed by Rouse and Associates. At the moment, only two observatories operate in the city, as one has closed last year. Today we look at views from theh currently closed One Liberty Observation Deck, located on the 57th floor in the skyscraper’s gabled crown.

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Rendering of 5959-63 Ridge Avenue

Permits Issued for 30-Unit Building at 5959-63 Ridge Avenue in Roxborough, Northwest Philadelphia

Permits have been issued for the construction of a mixed-use building at 5959-63 Ridge Avenue in RoxboroughNorthwest Philadelphia. Upon completion, the structure will stand four stories tall and span a total of 31,785 square feet of space, with commercial space on the ground floor and 30 apartments above. A basement will hold a fitness room, storage space, and bicycle storage for building residents. A roof deck will be located at the top of the building. Permits list Gabriel I.I. John as the owner, Jeremy Avellino as the design professional, and Knight Rider Construction as the contractor. Construction costs are specified at $3.2 million.

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Rendering of 1810 Chestnut Street. Credit: Cecil Baker + Partners.

Permits Issued for Freeman’s Auction House Overbuild at 1810 Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City

Permits have been issued for a multi-family overbuild above the historic Freeman’s Auction House, located at 1810 Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse SquareCenter City. Designed by Cecil Baker + Partners, the new tower will add 19 stories above the existing Auction House, bringing the total height to 25 stories, which is certainly not the greatest height in the area, but will still make a large impact from the street. There will be 19 residential units within the he new addition, each a luxury condominium, with several taking up an entire floor. The existing auction house will be restored as commercial space. An underground garage will hold space for seven parking spaces, and there will also be nine bicycle spaces, as well. An additional four bike spaces will be included with the project along Chestnut Street on a new bike rack. A green roof will be situated at the top of the tower.

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

YIMBY Observes Construction on the Philadelphia Skyline from the Walt Whitman Bridge

In Philadelphia, multiple major roadways lead to the bustling core of Center City, which sports most of the towers that make up the skyline. A number of bridges, including Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Betsy Ross Bridge, and the Delaware Memorial Bridge, surround the city, allowing motorists to cross the adjacent rivers. The Walt Whitman Bridge Just to the north of the Port of Philadelphia. In this feature, Philadelphia YIMBY observes projects under construction throughout the city from this green-painted bridge.

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