Philadelphia skyline 1985 south elevation. Image and models by Thomas Koloski

Philadelphia YIMBY Presents Massings of the 1985 Skyline

In the mid-1980s, the Philadelphia skyline rose as an even, roughly 500-foot plateau, particularly when viewed from the north and south. Though the skyline spanned a great expanse length-wise, it remained at a low profile, in great part thanks to the “Gentlemen’s Agreement” to not build above the 548-foot-tall pinnacle of the City Hall, which sat just beneath the 37-foot-tall statue of William Penn, the state’s founder. Philly YIMBY presents exclusive massing renderings of the city skyline just as it appeared in 1985, just before One Commerce Square and One Liberty Place both broke ground, starting their challenge to the skyline in the summer.

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2738 Federal Street. Credit: Google

Permits Issued for 24-Unit Building at 2738 Federal Street in Grays Ferry

Permits have been issued for the construction of a five-story multi-family building at 2738 Federal Street in Grays FerrySouth Philadelphia. The development will offer 23,914 square feet of floor space and will include 24 condominium units, a cellar, balconies in the front and rear of the structure on the second through fourth floors, and a roof deck above the fourth floor. Four accessory parking spaces will be included in the project, with one set to be ADA and van accessible, as well as 12 bicycle spaces. Gnome Architects is listed as the architect for the project, with GRIT Construction taking up the contracting work. Construction costs are estimated at $1,434,870.

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203-09 Diamond Street. Credit: KCA Design Associates LLC

Permits Issued for Eight-Unit Building at 203-09 Diamond Street in Norris Square

A permit has been issued for the construction of a four-story, eight-unit residential building at 203-09 Diamond Street in Norris Square. The structure will replace a vehicle maintenance facility located at the northeast corner of Diamond Street and North Philip Street. The structure will rise from a 2,304-square-foot footprint and will contain 11,520 square feet of floor space. Permits list Blackrock Capital LLC as the owner, Nicholas Coulter of KCA Design Associates, LLC as the architect, and Adam Pearlman as the contractor. Construction is expected to cost $800,000.

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Arthaus rendering. Photo and edit by Thomas Koloski

Arthaus Nears Top of Parapet in Washington Square West, Center City

The Arthaus condominium under construction at 311 South Broad Street in Center City is nearing the very top of the parapet, which will stand at at an impressive height of 542 feet. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and developed by Dranoff Properties, the 45-story skyscraper features a bright and modern design. The tower will include 107 units and amenity and retail space on the first four floors, along with green roofs at the top of the podium and at the roof. The building’s design is perfect for the Philadelphia skyline as the tower keeps a blocky profile while changing form as it steps up to a square crown, with the metal cladding thickening around the edges as it opens up on the glass faces to have thinner metal run vertical up the tower with spaces dividing the rows.

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2909 Ridge Avenue. Looking northeast. Credit: Google

Permits Issued for Five-Unit Building at 2909 Ridge Avenue in Strawberry Mansion, North Philadelphia

A permit has been issued for the construction of a three-story mixed-use building at 2909 Ridge Avenue in Strawberry Mansion, North Philadelphia. The structure will replace a vacant lot on the northeast side of the block between North 29th Street and North 30th Street and will span a ground footprint of 1,959 square feet. The 5,877-square-foot building will include five residential units, a commercial space at the ground floor, two private roof decks, and full sprinkling. Permits list Philadelphia Limited Prop. as the owner, Plato Marinakos as the designer, and Baltimore Select Properties LLC as the contractor. Construction cost is estimated at $250,000.

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