[Swinefeld]

Walnut Street Theatre Tower

Website: N/A

Approximate Location: 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Usage: Residential, theatre and restaurants
Height: 517' (157 meters) Floors: 45
Architects: Heery International
Developers: Roskamp Management
Estimated Cost: N/A
Units/Condominium: 360 units
Groundbreaking: 2010
Completion: N/A

Designed as a high-end retirement home, the Walnut Street Theatre Tower will feature in addition to its "continuous care" component will be a 400-seat theater-in-the-round, a café, a restaurant and 183 parking spaces for residences only. Further info here (http://www.planphilly.com/node/3195).

The Walnut Street Theatre itself claims to be the oldest theatre in the United States being founded in 1809 and being run continuously since that time.

Images
Courtesy of Heery International. Note: Images are very preliminary and subject to change dramatically upon final approval.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e388/Swinefeld/New%20Constructon/WSTT_01.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e388/Swinefeld/New%20Constructon/WSTT_02.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e388/Swinefeld/New%20Constructon/WSTT_03.jpg

Aerial view of future site (parking lot behind existing Walnut Street Theatre)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e388/Swinefeld/New%20Constructon/WSTT_04.jpg

[looper121]

Nice. I hope it goes up. Expanding the skyline east would be a nice touch...

[sciguy0504]

I know this is a very preliminary design but I hope all of that blank space isn't concrete.

[Swinefeld]

I know this is a very preliminary design but I hope all of that blank space isn't concrete.
Nah, I'm sure that's one of the things that will change with final design.

[Don098]

It's a mirror image of the St. James...Hopefully they can fix that party hat on top...otherwise, nice!

[theWatusi]

what an awesome infill project :awesome:

[Lecom]

Gonna give St. James some company.

[stormkingfan]

What's better than one high-rise being out of scale with the rest of the neighborhood is two, or more, high-rises being out of scale. Here, a new scale would become established.

As long as there's a need for it, build it!

[stormkingfan]

On second thought, I just looked at some pics on the emporis site and, no, St. James doesn't look too out-of-place by itself after all. There are still a few sizeable bldgs close by. But a companion tower would look good, too.

[BigDan35]

Looks pretty decent except for that triangular top.

[tua21506]

I see all of these active adult/senior community neighborhoods popping up all over. I actually do quit a bit of work in these places. This building has more of a viable chance i think because of its proximity to public transit. One complaint i get from a lot of the people in those communities is they have to drive to get where they have to go. Being that septa is free for senior citizens i definitely think this will appeal to them.

[kilbride102]

Empty-nesters with lots of disposable income will fill this place up in no time. Restaurants, theater, and shopping will be very convienent for them. Suburban 55+ places may feel like Florida to some people. (My grandparents said it was heavens waiting room). Giving these people an urban environment with an active lifetsyle is a great idea. There is plenty of room in the market for this building and concept. I hope the construction costs don't get in the way of this.

Question -- If the construction costs continue to get out of hand, would this tower be forced to tap the luxury market only? That could present a problem.

[slow-v6]

I like!!

[volguus zildrohar]

There's a guaranteed market for this one. The world's tallest old folks home? We shall see.

[Wheelingman04]

Looks nice.

[BuildItUp]

There's a guaranteed market for this one. The world's tallest old folks home? We shall see.
We saw all kinds of proposals for new luxury apts/condos/hotels but this is the first for assisted living in center city. Its definitely a niche market and I hope it gets built.

[SEPTATank]

This building is a great idea. I can envision my in-laws buying in a place like this, for example. My father-in-law is always complaining about the constant upkeep on their pool, suburban spread, etc. My mother-in-law marvels at her ability to walk everywhere when she is visiting us here in Philly. Some people live in places where they can actually walk to the store? Really? They are dyed-in-the-wool suburbanites but their kids (and now grandkids) live in Philly, Boston and D.C.

[alasi]

If they ever develop the Disney hole along with this project, there will be a nice cluster of buildings from the city's east- west perspective.

[NDPhilly]

yea so it should be taller than the murano

[theWatusi]

If they ever develop the Disney hole along with this project, there will be a nice cluster of buildings from the city's east- west perspective.

Don't forget the Girard block too.

Market East has so much potential.

[christof]

Any update?

[tech_bonus]

This one doesn't surprise me at all.

Keep in mind that, supposedly, Philly is second only to New York in the nation for having social amenities for seniors.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A high percentage of seniors call Philly home, so new residents won't have any trouble meeting new friends. Philadelphia is second only to New York in the social amenities, thanks to numerous colleges, libraries and museums.

Philadelphia has excellent adult day care and superb assisted and independent living facilities. Property crime is also low. The downside is that it has low scores in health indicators such as life expectancy, heart disease and cancer rates.

http://www.bestplaces.net/docs/studies/seniors05.aspxThink

Although those are 05 ankings, I can't imagine the city falling out of this particular category since.

Just like any city worth Living/visiting should, it caters to ALL ages.