Philadelphia Outclasses New York, Chicago, L.A. in National High-Rise Competition
Symphony House takes best in show over 270 showcase projects
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...A5E9EC53FB7%7D
PHILADELPHIA, Oct 30, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Philadelphia now has the best high-rise condominium in the country. In fact, it not only won its category in a national competition of showcase real estate projects, but took best in show from the editors of Multifamily Executive and Developer magazines, the nation's most respected periodicals covering multi-family development.
Symphony House took the honor over 270 other projects from across America, created by some of the country's most prestigious architects and developers. Symphony House was designed by Philadelphia-based BLT Architects and developed by Dranoff Properties.
"Blown away" is how Carl Dranoff, President of Dranoff Properties, describes his reaction to the award, which was received in a ceremony on Oct. 14, and which will be covered in the November issue of Multifamily Executive. This is the first time that a Philadelphia project won Best of Show in the national competition.
"These are the most educated and influential reporters in the country covering our industry," says Dranoff. "Their opinion resonates far and wide."
In introducing Carl Dranoff at the ceremony to accept the award, Shabnam Mogharabi, editor-in-chief of Multifamily Executive and Developer magazines, said, "Rising from a no-man's land in an unproven location, this $125 million Art-Deco high-rise has transformed Philadelphia's South Broad Street. The developer tipped the neighborhood's prevailing dynamic from entertainment and retail toward resident buildings. And in a market where fully half the buyers were pulling out of deals, he (Dranoff) maintained pre-sold ownership at 92 percent."
The editors also noted, "The 163-unit luxury tower, built over a subway station, includes a 365-seat performing arts theater and a 65-foot sky terrace lap pool. The winner demonstrates that the downtowns of major metropolitans are not off limits...And modern design does not always mean imposing, steel-and-glass structures; and that it is possible to reinvigorate a city and completely alter a skyline, even after two decades of inactivity."
The Editor's Choice Award goes to a project that the editors of Multifamily Executive and Developer believe offers valuable lessons for the entire multi-family industry. "It's clear that the editor intended to make Symphony House and the role it has played in Philadelphia a national model for development of downtowns that illustrates the power of using arts and culture as a catalyst for urban economic growth," says Dranoff.
For more information about Dranoff Properties or Symphony House, please contact Katie Miller at Gregory FCA at 610-228-2124 or by e-mail at
Katie@GregoryFCA.com.
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