Philadelphia 1945 south elevation. Models and image by Thomas Koloski

Philadelphia YIMBY Presents Massing Renderings of the 1945 Skyline

In the 1940s, development in Philadelphia progressed at a slow pace as over the previous four years the United States of America was engaged in World War II after Japan’s surprise attack on Pear Harbor on December 7, 1941, further slowed down by the Great Depression, which lasted through the 1930s. However, in the preceding decades, many ornate buildings rose into the skyline with fantastic masonry designs. Most of the largest buildings were built around the City Hall in Center City, which created a hub of development when the Second Empire style building was completed in 1901.

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Bank of the Southwest Tower in the Houston skyline. Image via Jahn/Murphy, Inc

Looking at the Unbuilt Bank of the Southwest Tower, Houston’s Precursor to One Liberty Place

Before One Liberty Place topped the Philadelphia skyline in 1987, a larger skyscraper, also designed by Helmut Jahn, was proposed in the city of Houston, with a design that featured striking similarities to the future Philadelphia tower. Known as the Bank of the Southwest, the supertall was planned to count 82 floors, with an angled crown capped with a sharp spire that would rise 1,404 feet high. The larger office floors were to have angled cuts on each corner. The firm of Jahn/Murphy, Inc. was chosen after a design contest in 1982 and the tower was projected to be completed by 1986. The tower was cancelled by 1983 due to a lack of funding, but elements of the design were later integrated into the Philadelphia skyscraper.

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Via Stamm Development.

Construction Underway at The Beverly at 1102 Germantown Avenue in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia

Construction is now underway at The Beverly, a six-story, 50-unit mixed-use development at 1102 Germantown Avenue in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia. Developed by Stamm Development Group, the building will feature commercial space on the ground floor and residential units above. The project will include a green roof, storage for tenants, and spaces for nine cars and 17 bicycles. In total, the development will hold 54,076 square feet of space and will cost an estimated $10 million to build. The project is being built by Tester Construction.

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2222 Market Street. Credit: Gensler

Tower Crane Erected At 2222 Market Street In Center City

A tower crane has been erected at 2222 Market Street in Center City West. Designed by Gensler and developed by Parkway Commercial Properties, the tower will rise 318 feet and 20 stories tall, making it one of the tallest structures in the area. Its stacked-box design will allow it to stand out at its prominent location on Market Street. A mixture of glass and stone materials grants the tower a modern façade that, toegther with new public outdoor space, will liven up the stretch of Market Street.

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