PHILADELPHIA | 38th and Chestnut l 278 FEET l 25 FLOORS

[Swinefeld]

Proposed for the corner of 38th and Chestnut in the heart of University City, is an apartment tower which is hoped to shore up the finances of the Philadelphia Cathedral and enable a steady income stream to be used for costly maintenance and repairs to the church (built 1889, rebuilt 1906) just up the street on 38th. The major bone of contention is the required demolition of two certified historic buildings on the Chestnut Street side (both of which are owned by the Cathedral). Another thorny issue is the massing on this busy corner which will likely overshadow the church itself. Anyway, it's just a proposal for now, and hopefully something more interesting can be done with the exterior.


Courtesy of BLT Architects


Courtesy of BLT Architects

Further reading can be had here.

I'll have more updates when they become available.

[summersm343]

Nice. Thanks for this Swinefeld.

[McBane]

Seems like if this church isn't allowed to build, they will go broke and another historic church will face the wrecking ball. I know NIMBYs think that every building built before 1993 is historic and should be preserved, they need to learn how to pick their battles. If this building allows the church to be preserved then don't stand in their way.

Shame a similar proposal couldn't be found for that beautiful church on Spring Garden at 11th. That was demolished, wasn't it?

[hammersklavier]

Church of the Assumption...? No, it was appeal, L&I overturned the Historic Commission's ruling, and the City (on behalf of Siloam) sued--itself--on the ruling. Confused?

[josef]

Anyone see this today in the Inquirer?

Episcopal Cathedral seeks demolition of two historic sites, citing "the public interest"

By Stephan Salisbury
Inquirer Culture Writer

Should the Episcopal Cathedral of Philadelphia be allowed to destroy two historically recognized buildings it owns, and build a 25-story apartment, office, and retail complex in their place, in order to finance cathedral repairs and expand its ministry?

That is the question coming Friday before the Philadelphia Historical Commission, which deadlocked on the issue May 11 when it first arose. The four representatives of the Nutter administration voted in favor of demolition of the properties on the 3700 block of Chestnut Street, while all four independent members opposed the plan.

In an unusual step, Alan Greenberger, deputy mayor for economic development, endorsed the demolition and development in a letter passed out to commissioners just before the hearing.

Without the demolition and an infusion of profit from subsequent development, the cathedral faces a growing threat of structural collapse, backers of the proposal argue. Doubters wonder if the cathedral is in such rickety condition, and some are concerned about financial problems inherent in a large and potentially risky real-estate venture.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...est_quot_.html

[summersm343]

I don't understand what the big deal is with letting them go through with this project? It's very sad that it takes an army to build a 25 story building in this city.

[SkyscraperGuru]

Does this mean an end for this project?

This historical building crap these nimbies perseverate on is annoying, these buildings mean nothing.

[summersm343]

The Historical Commission okayed the demolition of the two brownstones. Looks like this project will be happening after all

http://planphilly.com/historical-com...ls-brownstones

[Swinefeld]

Further reading.

http://articles.philly.com/2012-06-0...ral-bell-tower

[Jelly Roll]

Thanks for the updates

[summersm343]

An article on this from Hidden City and also a new render of it.



http://hiddencityphila.org/2012/06/the-next-question/

[summersm343]

The developer for this will be Radnor Property Group

[summersm343]

Well now we know what is holding this up

the Licenses and Inspections Review Board on Tuesday voted to defer a final decision on the fate of the Philadelphia Cathedral Parish House until next month, leaving their fate still in limbo.

http://blog.philadelphiarealestate.c...iversity-city/

[summersm343]

This can FINALLY move forward

In what appears to be a proactive move by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, a deal has been reached to guarantee the long-term preservation of the Episcopal Cathedral on 38th Street in West Philadelphia.

The deal, formed by the Cathedral, the Preservation Alliance, and the Radnor Property group, will allow Radnor to build a residential tower on 38th and Chestnut. The Preservation Alliance will withdraw its opposition to the approved demolition of two historically registered brownstones on the church’s property that will make way for the tower.

http://hiddencityphila.org/2013/03/d...pal-cathedral/

[summersm343]

Also here is a new render of the tower


http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelp...=image_gallery

[Swinefeld]

High-rise to replace two 38th and Chestnut brownstones
The new building will house apartments, offices and new retail locations

A 25-story high-rise development will soon replace two historic brownstones at the corner of 38th and Chestnut streets.

The tower will include apartments, church offices and retail space. The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral — located at 3723 Chestnut St. — hired Radnor Property Group to construct the new building and hopes to have it completed by the fall of 2015.

More here

[summersm343]

Article on this today from NakedPhilly

http://nakedphilly.com/university-ci...n-west-philly/

[summersm343]

Article on this from Philadelphia Heights

http://philadelphiaheights.wordpress...iversity-city/