Comcast Technology Center under construction July 2016. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Observing the Comcast Technology Center After the Topping Out of the Concrete Core

The majority of Philadelphia’s tallest skyscrapers stand in Center City to the west of City Hall, which include the Comcast Technology Center at 1800 Arch Street. The supertall, which is the tallest building in the city, has risen into the skyline between 2014 and 2017. Designed by Foster + Partners, the tower’s structure is compromised of a central concrete core surrounded with a steel frame, with the facade mostly clad in glass and metal. The tower was developed by Liberty Property Trust, which collaborated with Comcast to erect their second tower in the city. In this article, Philadelphia YIMBY takes a look back to when the Comcast Technology Center was under construction at the time when the core had just topped out.

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One Liberty Place and W/Element Hotel lighting. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Nighttime Lighting Upgrades Possibly in the Works at Several Philadelphia Skyscrapers

The Philadelphia skyline features a fantastic collection of prominent skyscrapers that shimmer during the day. But at night, particularly from certain angles, the skyline can be underwhelming with the amount of darkness, despite a number of bright displays. Many of the towers were not originally designed with decorative lighting, while illumination at others has faded or otherwise deteriorated over the years, so the ones still have well-maintained nighttime lighting are greatly appreciated for their look. The majority of skyscrapers that are illuminated are at some of the tallest in the city, and most of them were built around the same time period in the late 1980s within the same part of Center City. But given a number of recent developments, it is possible that original lighting schemes on a number of skyscrapers are being restored to their original look.

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Aerial rendering of planned warehouse via Southwest CDC Glove Times.

Permits Issued for Amazon Warehouse at 6901 Elmwood Avenue in Elmwood Park, Southwest Philadelphia

Permits have been issued for the construction of an Amazon warehouse facility at 6901 Elmwood Avenue in Elmwood Park, Southwest Philadelphia. Once completed, the new building will rise one story tall. Office space and truck loading docks will also be included with the building. The warehouse will hold 141,360 square feet of space, with construction costs estimated at $30 million.

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Rendering of Walnut View at Cityplace. Credit: City Center Allentown.

Renderings Revealed for Walnut View at Cityplace in Allentown, PA

Renderings have been revealed for Walnut View At Cityplace, a 57-unit multi-family development located at 909 West Walnut Street in Allentown, PA, a city situated at the northern fringe of the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. Upon completion, the building will rise five stories and will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. Each apartment will include a washer and dryer, gourmet kitchen, walk-in closet, and energy-efficient lighting. Amenity space will be located around the corner from the development at Cityplace South, an under-construction 78-unit development that YIMBY shared with readers in March.

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2043 Fitzwater Street. Looking northwest. November 2020. Credit: Google Street View

Ornate Prewar Townhouse Makes Way for Similarly-Sized Building at 2043 Fitzwater Street in Graduate Hospital, South Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s ongoing construction surge is a major boon for the city, and occasional demolitions are needed for the city’s continued growth. However, some teardowns are rather unfortunate and unnecessary, to put it mildly, particularly when they take down a preservation-worthy edifice in apparently sound structural condition, or when the replacement offers no notable increase in scale, density, or functional use. The proposal at 2043 Fitzwater Street in Graduate Hospital, South Philadelphia, checks off on both of these concerns, where a finely ornamented, contextually appropriate, apparently well-maintained prewar townhouse is being demolished to make way for a four-story, three-unit building that will offer only a marginal boost both in scale and density.

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