World Trade Square aka Renaissance Plaza. Credit: Alesker & Dundon Architects

Visualizing World Trade Square, an Unbuilt Multi-Tower Complex in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia

Yesterday Philly YIMBY published a feature story covering the 1,050-foot-tall Philadelphia World Trade Center supertall planned at 456 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard on the Delaware River waterfront in Northern Liberties in 1988. After the proposal fell through, developer Carl Marks Real Estate Group contracted Alesker & Dundon Architects to redesign the project as four shorter yet still impressive skyscrapers, which were to take up most of the 5.5-acre site. The development would now be known as World Trade Square, and later as Renaissance Plaza.

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918 North Delaware Avenue. Credit: HDO Architecture

Permits Issued for Three Seven-Story Structures at 918-80 North Delaware Avenue in Northern Liberties, North Philadelphia

Permits have been issued for the construction of three mixed-use buildings at 918-80 North Delaware Avenue in Northern LibertiesNorth Philadelphia. Designed by HDO Architecture, the development will feature 462 residential units spread across five buildings, with a sixth structure holding building amenities. Permits were recently issued for Building A, Building B, and Building D. Each will rise seven stories and feature a green roof.

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Philadelphia World Trade Center looking northeast. Model by Thomas Koloski

Revisiting the Unbuilt Philadelphia World Trade Center Supertall Proposal

In 1988, plans were revealed for a 1,050-foot-tall, 65-story Philadelphia World Trade Center supertall at 456 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard on the Northern Liberties waterfront. The tower would have stood just to the north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, located close to the boundary between North Philadelphia and Center City. The plan, which later evolved to the World Trade Square project, consisted of three shorter high-rises alongside the main tower. The skyscraper was designed by Kling Lindquist, which was also bend the Bell Atlantic Tower and the unbuilt Center City Tower. Carl Marks Real Estate Team, along with Lance Silver and Stuart Harting, were the developers.

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The Summit House Nears Completion at 610 Summit Avenue in Jenkintown

Completion approaches at The Summit House, a four-story, 64-unit residential development at 610 Summit Avenue in Jenkintown, a municipality located just to the north of Philadelphia. Designed by Kitchen And Associates, the project will include a commercial space and 64 parking spaces, both located on the ground floor, and will feature affordable senior housing. Tester Construction is building the structure.

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