Timber Towers. Rendering via Hickok Cole

Examining Timber Towers, a Visionary Concept for Wood-Framed High-Rises Suggested for Center City

In 2018, architecture firm Hickok Cole published a design concept for Timber Towers, a trio of mixed-use high-rises that would use wood as the principal structural material. The concept, which won an honorable mention in the SKYHIVE Skyscraper Challenge, was designed to span an entire block in Center City to the northwest of the Comcast Technology Center. According to the architects, the 1.9-million-square-foot plan would use 2,075,125 cubic feet of wood products, “easily replenished by North American forests in less than three hours,” and sequester 80,775 US tons of carbon dioxide within the structure, resulting in emissions savings are the equivalent those produced by 12,073 cars within one year.

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81-Unit Development Revealed at 4701-15 Kingsessing Avenue in Squirrel Hill, West Philadelphia

An 81-unit multi-family development has been revealed at 4701-15 Kingsessing Avenue in Squirrel Hill, West Philadelphia. The site sits at the northwestern cornet of the intersection of 48th Street and Chester Avenue. Designed by JKRP Architects, the development will rise four stories and contain 55,720 square feet of floor space. 45 new parking spots will also be included in the development, with two set to be ADA accessible, three reserved for electric vehicles and one for a car share. Additionally, the 40 spots currently existing at the property will remain, so a total of 85 parking spaces will be located at the site upon completion.

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Permits Issued for a 12-Unit Structure at 2809 South Warnock Street in Marconi Plaza, South Philadelphia

Permits have been issued for the construction of a multi-family structure at 2809 South Warnock Street in Marconi Plaza, South Philadelphia. The development will stand four stories tall and hold 12 rental units. Six parking and six bicycle spaces will be included in the development. The building will hold 10,378 square feet of space and will cost an estimated $850,000 to build.

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12+Sansom at 123-27 South 12th Street. Rendering credit: Studios Architecture.

Updated Design Revealed for 12 + Sansom, a 20-Story Tower Planned at 123 South 12th Street in Market East, Center City

An updated design has been revealed for 12 + Sansom, a high-rise development proposed at 123 South 12th Street in Market East, Center City. Designed by Studios Architecture (with BLT Architects as the architect of record), the 371,700-square-foot structure will stand at a height of 20 floors and 265 feet, and will contain 412 residential units, 94 underground parking spaces, and storage for 138 bicycles.

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233 Christian Street. Rendering credit: Gnome Architects

Construction Wrapping Up at 233 Christian Street in Queen Village, South Philadelphia

Construction work is nearing completion at 233 Christian Street in Queen Village (alternately Southwark), South Philadelphia. Designed by Gnome Architects, the four-story building will hold four luxury condominiums. The 7,014-square-foot structure will cost an estimated $350,700 to build. Zatos Investments is the developer and Grit Construction is the contractor.

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