Independence Blue Cross Tower roof. Photo by Thomas Koloski

A Look Back at the Former Lighting Scheme at the Independence Blue Cross Tower

7:30 am on October 1, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

The Independence Blue Cross Tower was Philadelphia’s third skyscraper to breech the former 548-foot height limit of the Gentleman’s Agreement. The tower stands at 1901 Market Street, on the north side of the street, and features a slightly darker shade of glass than One Liberty Place and an interesting design that included lighting highlighting the structure. Designed by WZMH Architects, which also designed the CN Tower in Canada, he tower rises 45 stories above the ground with a total height of 625 feet. In over the first ten years after the building’s completion, the tower was lit up in the night time skyline with blue and gold strips of light.

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Current view of 2454 North 2nd Street. Credit: Google.

Permits Issued for Mixed-Use Building at 2454 North 2nd Street in West Kensington

7:00 am on October 1, 2021 By Colin LeStourgeon

Permits have been issued for the construction of a three-story mixed-use building at 2454 North 2nd Street in West Kensington. The ground floor will hold artist studios and artisan industrial space. The upper two floors will hold five residential units. In total, the building contain 8,172 square feet of interior space. Anthony Tsirantonakis is listed as the design professional, with Salini Brothers Ornamental Iron Work listed as the contractor. Permits specify a construction cost of cost $1.1 million.

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The Laurel Rittenhouse. Credit: Southern Land Company

Topping Out Ceremony Held At The Laurel Rittenhouse In Rittenhouse Square, Center City

8:00 am on September 30, 2021 By Thomas Koloski

On September 28th, a topping out ceremony was held on the 47th floor of The Laurel Rittenhouse at 1911 Walnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City. Designed by Solomon Cornwell Buenz and developed by the Southern Land Company, with the Harman Group as the structural engineer, the tower now stands at its final height of 599 feet and 48 stories. The building stands prominently in the Philadelphia skyline over the course of this year and is now clearly visible from the southern direction. The building will include 185 rental units and 64 luxury condominiums, as well as amenity space, retail, and an Equinox gym for residents.

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The Blue Ivy Hotel at 122 South 11th Street. Rendering credit: DAS Architects

Permits Issued for Blue Ivy Hotel at 122 South 11th Street in Marker East, Center City

7:30 am on September 30, 2021 By Colin LeStourgeon

Permits have been issued for the construction of the 14-story Blue Ivy Hotel at 122 South 11th Street in Center City. Designed by DAS Architects and developed by the Estia Group, the hotel will offer 86 hotel rooms on the third through fourteenth floors. Restaurant space will be situated on the first and second floors. The tower will total 51,181 square feet of space. Permits list construction costs at $21.1 million.

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4300 Ridge Avenue. Credit: Method Co. and Morris Adjmi Architects

Groundbreaking Held for 142-Unit Rental Development at 4300 Ridge Avenue in East Falls, Northwest Philadelphia

8:00 am on September 29, 2021 By Vitali Ogorodnikov

The development boom on the East Falls waterfront continues unabated with the start of the construction on a major residential development near the left bank of the Schuylkill River. Method Co. and Cimbra Partners have recently announced the groundbreaking of a five-story, 142-unit rental development at 4300 Ridge Avenue. Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, the 135,000-square-foot complex will feature a wide array of resident amenities, while 10,450 square feet of retail and a public art installation, undertaken in conjunction with the city’s Percent for Art Program, will enliven the pedestrian experience.

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