1620 Sansom Street massing. Original image from Google Earth, edit and model by Thomas Koloski

Demolition Imminent at 1620 Sansom Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City

The mid-century parking garage at 1620 Sansom Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City, is being prepared for demolition, with the site closed to the public and machinery at the site. The garage will make way for a 27-story, 340-foot-tall tower, designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz and developed by Southern Land Company, with Hunter Roberts Construction Group as the general contractor. The three companies are also behind The Laurel Rittenhouse Square, which is rising a few blocks to to the west. Hunter Roberts Construction Group is the general contractor. The building will feature 298 residential units, 19,600 square feet of restaurant space, 5,200 square feet of retail, and 67 underground parking spaces.

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Philadelphia's South Street Bridge. Looking northwest. Credit: li2nmd via Wikipedia

The History Behind the South Street Bridge

Many locations offer views of the Philadelphia skyline, yet some spots offer uniquely dramatic vistas that effectively catch the eye and stay etched in one’s mind. South Street is home not only to a popular stretch of retail, restaurants, and markets, but also to the South Street Bridge, which crosses the Schuylkill River and connects Center City and South Philadelphia to University City in West Philadelphia. For over a century, the bridge has offered sweeping skyline views to locals and visitors alike. Today Philadelphia YIMBY looks at the history behind the iconic bridge.

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2209-11 North Broad Street. Looking east. Credit: Google

Permits Issued for Five-Story, 22-Unit Building at 2209-11 North Broad Street near Temple University in North Philadelphia

Permits have been issued for the construction of a five-story building at 2209-11 North Broad Street a block north of Temple University in North Philadelphia. The structure will feature a 471-square-foot retail space and 22 condominium residences. Elevator service will be included among the building’s amenities. Permits list For. Shiloh Temple and Henry Meadows L. Rev. Tr. as the owners, Christopher Carickhoff of Studio C Architecture as the designer, and V2 Properties Construction Management LLC as the general contractor.

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Riverwalk south and north in the Philadelphia skyline from a garage looking east. Photo by Thomas Koloski

Riverwalk South Tower Receives Cladding in Center City West

The tower at Riverwalk South at 60 North 23rd Street is approaching its full height of 362 feet, while installation of the glass and metal cladding has commenced. Designed by Gensler and developed by PMC Property Group, the Riverwalk complex will bring 711 new residential units to the neighborhood, with the south tower holding 380 apartments. The south tower now rises 21 stories above ground, with just 11 floors left to the roof, as concrete work has been progressing faster as the weather gets warmer. Center City West will see a great skyline boost once the 32-story concrete structure rises to its pinnacle.

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4415 Chestnut Street. Looking north. Credit: Google

Permits Issued for Five-Story, 40-Unit Building at 4415 Chestnut Street in Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia

Permits have been issued for the construction of a five-story, 40-unit mixed-use building at 4415 Chestnut Street in Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia. Designed by Wulff Architects and developed by Orens Brothers Real Estate, the building will include retail space as well as features such as elevator service, a green roof, full sprinkling, and 14 bicycle spaces. Permits list Orens Development Inc. as the owner and Orens Brothers Inc. as the general contractor. Construction is expected to cost $5.5 million. The structure will be a part of a two-building complex that extends through the block to Ludlow Street to the north, which will total 70 units. Construction is already underway on the 30-unit Ludlow Street building.

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