PHILADELPHIA | 1706 Rittenhouse | 401 FT / 122 M | 31 FLOORS | T/O - Page 3

CondoGuru · #41 Posted: **Nov 17, 2007, 5:55 PM**

Parkway is a partner with Scannapieco on this, are they not? There are many ways to look at this. They may reconfigure the units to sell more at lower prices which is what Mandeville tried to do before they threw in the towel. Or, the developer is staying true to his vision and will move forward anyway. It's not a huge project that requires as much financing as say Ritz or Murano. This is a boutique property. It's possible that they're not worried about finding 29 people to bite on this. Also, do you really think people in the $3.5M to $10M price range are ever concerned about the market? Probably not.

a chicago bearcat · #42 Posted: **Nov 17, 2007, 6:18 PM**

I'm sorry, but this tower is just butt fugly

Philadelphia and those small row houses across the way deserve something better than would've been built in houston in the 80's

theWatusi · #43 Posted: **Nov 17, 2007, 6:46 PM**

FYI all of the MLS listings for this project were withdrawn in early September. Maybe they are doing some major retooling of the design/price.

Swinefeld · #44 Posted: **Nov 17, 2007, 10:36 PM**

And so it begins (?)

Johnland · #45 Posted: **Nov 17, 2007, 11:03 PM**

[QUOTE=Swinefeld;3174230]And so it begins (?)

This photo happened to capture the top of Symphony House off in the distance. I think this random pic just underscores how out-there that mansard roof is. I mean, it just grates on your nerves when you see it in the context of Philly's bricky rowhouse and apartment building landscape.

We Got Five · #46 Posted: **Nov 18, 2007, 5:19 PM**

I am in agreement with everybody regarding the lack of parking venue...and why would they give that up. You would think that the project is slowly moving forward.

I'll reserve judgement until we see more activity over the next few weeks. Infill projects of this stature continue to push us up the chain.

Zoot · #47 Posted: **Nov 18, 2007, 6:08 PM**

according to someone involved with 1706, the developers have recently signed enough agreements to move forward.

I should mention that I have been very skeptical of this project in this past and I am still not entirely convinced, but my sources say that construction will indeed happen soon.

bryson662001 · #48 Posted: **Nov 18, 2007, 6:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by a chicago bearcat

I'm sorry, but this tower is just butt fugly

Philadelphia and those small row houses across the way deserve something better than would've been built in houston in the 80's

Well there is no accounting for taste (yours) but it couldn't be more simple, timeless and elegant and just what this red brick and limestone neighborhood needs to spice it up some.

theWatusi · #49 Posted: **Nov 18, 2007, 11:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnland

This photo happened to capture the top of Symphony House off in the distance. I think this random pic just underscores how out-there that mansard roof is. I mean, it just grates on your nerves when you see it in the context of Philly's bricky rowhouse and apartment building landscape.

Yeah because there has never been a mansard roof in philly before

http://galenfrysinger.us/us/phila006.jpg

Rufus · #50 Posted: **Nov 20, 2007, 3:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by a chicago bearcat

I'm sorry, but this tower is just butt fugly

Philadelphia and those small row houses across the way deserve something better than would've been built in houston in the 80's

No need to apologize, but I am perplexed by your comment. Nothing about this design says "Houston" or "80s" to me.

Actually it's one of my favorite projects in the city.

CondoGuru · #51 Posted: **Nov 20, 2007, 5:59 PM**

I think the current renderings look better and more sleek than the initial ones did.

Austinlee · #52 Posted: **Nov 20, 2007, 6:42 PM**

"Hey man, whatchew need? A gram is 40 or an 8ball for 130"

Johnland · #53 Posted: **Nov 21, 2007, 1:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA Pride

"Hey man, whatchew need? A gram is 40 or an 8ball for 130"

OMG. PA Pride, all I can say, is you made my day. I came home from a loooong day at work, and your post is the funniest thing I've seen all week. That is priceless!

Lecom · #54 Posted: **Nov 21, 2007, 1:24 AM**

A gram is 40? F*** that...

Rufus · #55 Posted: **Nov 21, 2007, 3:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lecom

A gram is 40? F*** that...

Yeah, really. Who pays 40 dollars a gram?

samoen313 · #56 Posted: **Nov 21, 2007, 3:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theWatusi

Yeah because there has never been a mansard roof in philly before

http://galenfrysinger.us/us/phila006.jpg

building a mansard roof in the late 1800's was relevant. building a bastardized mansard thing (read: for most developers, this is simply any roof that has a steep pitch, regardless of the material composition or detailing) in 2007 is just completely outdated. the architect is a po-mo straggler who thinks we had learned everything we need to know about architecture by 1900 and now slaps on bay windows, arcades, and mansard roofs in one of those building design programs you can buy at office depot with all the pre-set details. blech.

Johnland · #57 Posted: **Nov 21, 2007, 10:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by samoen313

building a mansard roof in the late 1800's was relevant. building a bastardized mansard thing (read: for most developers, this is simply any roof that has a steep pitch, regardless of the material composition or detailing) in 2007 is just completely outdated. the architect is a po-mo straggler who thinks we had learned everything we need to know about architecture by 1900 and now slaps on bay windows, arcades, and mansard roofs in one of those building design programs you can buy at office depot with all the pre-set details. blech.

Thanks Samoen. That was exactly my point. You captured my sentiments perfectly.

gbayard · #58 Posted: **Nov 23, 2007, 2:18 AM**

I don't know where people come from when they say the rich don't care about prices. How did they get rich? By not caring about prices. If you have $5m or $50m you're still going to care a lot about what you pay for your Philadelphia condominium. I'm guessing the developer is not getting those asking prices, but I'm not sure how much he's willing to negotiate. I'm sure those prices have a 40-60+% margin in them which in this market is far too much. Philadelphia has plenty of wealthy residents, but they don't spend like idiots.

Lincolndrive · #59 Posted: **Nov 26, 2007, 11:52 PM**

Again, sorry about the poor quality on these camera phone pics. The guys on-site said things were definitely under way and they are starting at the west side of the site to shore up the foundation of the neighboring building (where the sales center is currently). It will be at least 6 months of digging do to the 40+ foot hole they need for the parking garage before anything starts moving up.

The lady at the sales center was very nice and said sales were going well. I was sad to hear there would be no pool, retail or restaurant but it will be a nice looking building at least and will take one more parking lot out of CC.

theWatusi · #60 Posted: **Nov 26, 2007, 11:55 PM**

lincoln,

thanks for the update. your investigative reporting does not go unnoticed