Nation's Tallest Building Proposed for Philadelphia

June 20th, 2008, posted by Greg Palmer

City officials and residents of Center City’s Logan Square neighborhood will have the summer to wrangle over a proposed 1,500-foot skyscraper – it would be the nation’s tallest – that would be built at 18th and Arch Streets.

Councilman Darrell L. Clarke introduced a bill yesterday to change zoning at the site to allow for the American Commerce Center, a soaring complex of office space, hotel rooms, retail and entertainment. The building would edge out Chicago’s Sears Tower, which reaches 1,451 feet, as the tallest building in the United States.

Clarke’s bill would require strict design oversight from the City Planning Commission and could prove a test for the increased role that Mayor Nutter wants the commission to play.

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Philadelphia

Hideous Boons

On June 20th, 2008 Paludicola said:

Such a monolith could be a boon to Philadelphia’s prestige, but dear mercy how ugly the model promises that the building would be. I suppose we can’t ever hope for aught but another gargantuan glass box with nothing beautiful or remarkable to boast of but its tremendous height.

I hate modern architecture.

Have you seen the model yet?

On June 20th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Have you seen the model yet?

Of Economic Lodestones and Intrusive Giants

On June 20th, 2008 Paludicola said:

There is a proposed model attached to the article.

Irrespective of my almost maniacal distaste for modern architecture, it really must be ascertained whether this building will attract something more useful and beneficial than token prestige. If some lucrative businesses will be for some reason be drawn to it, then it might well be worthwhile, but I could imagine it becoming naught more than an intrusive boondoggle. The firm advocating it has not, per the article, named any likely tenants.

The rest of Pennsylvania

On June 20th, 2008 Anonymous said:

The rest of Pennsylvania will somehow be taxed to pay for this.
It will be in some sort of special “tax free” zone.

Proposed new tower

On June 23rd, 2008 Anonymous said:

The base is plug-ugly and busy.
The placement will block views from one side of the Comcast Tower and one side of the new building.

Of course cities can only

On June 23rd, 2008 Anonymous said:

Of course cities can only grow up. Its not cheap, but it is an efficient use of the available land. As far as good looks, it is in the eye of the beholder. Construction at these heights is greatly influenced by structural limits and the outer appearance must follow suit. It will be interesting to see if other designs surface.