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So says the building's website, and it's right.
Just a few hours ago, phillyskyline.com broke news of a supertall skyscraper proposal for the property bounded by 18th, 19th, Arch, and Cuthbert Streets (currently a surface parking lot). At 1500 feet, the American Commerce Center would dwarf Philly's recently-crowned king, the Comcast Center (975 ft), and if completed today, would stand as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and fourth-tallest building in the world. All this in little-old-Philadelphia, which felt guilty about looking down on William Penn's hat just 20 years ago.
And although the height is impressive enough, the finer details of this project as initially released make it difficult to criticize. A guiding principle of the developer, Walnut Street Capital, is to embrace the city at the street level. So while the spire will split the clouds overhead, pedestrians on the street will be able to enjoy several floors of ground-level retail. Once they enter the building, two publicly-accessible gardens await.
This mixed-use project also features a 26-story hotel in addition to the 63-story office tower. Those making it past the three-story hotel lobby will find an enormous low-rooftop garden for hotel guests, allowing them to gaze north, east, or south over the city from 473 feet.
The American Commerce Center will be constructed with a US Green Building Council LEED Gold Certification in mind. This seems to be a positive trend in Philly when considered alongside the green-minded development of the Comcast Center. As a further snub to the environment- and streetscape-damaging automobile, all of the building's unavoidable parking space will be underground. Great credit goes to architects Kohn Pedersen Fox for beautifully executing Walnut Street Capital's vision.
What's not to love? This is a great day for Philadelphia. Check out the official renderings and more information on phillyskyline.com.
Update: Digg this, please!
Photo/sketch by author, SkyscraperSunset.com, March 13, 2008.
Just a few hours ago, phillyskyline.com broke news of a supertall skyscraper proposal for the property bounded by 18th, 19th, Arch, and Cuthbert Streets (currently a surface parking lot). At 1500 feet, the American Commerce Center would dwarf Philly's recently-crowned king, the Comcast Center (975 ft), and if completed today, would stand as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and fourth-tallest building in the world. All this in little-old-Philadelphia, which felt guilty about looking down on William Penn's hat just 20 years ago.
And although the height is impressive enough, the finer details of this project as initially released make it difficult to criticize. A guiding principle of the developer, Walnut Street Capital, is to embrace the city at the street level. So while the spire will split the clouds overhead, pedestrians on the street will be able to enjoy several floors of ground-level retail. Once they enter the building, two publicly-accessible gardens await.
This mixed-use project also features a 26-story hotel in addition to the 63-story office tower. Those making it past the three-story hotel lobby will find an enormous low-rooftop garden for hotel guests, allowing them to gaze north, east, or south over the city from 473 feet.
The American Commerce Center will be constructed with a US Green Building Council LEED Gold Certification in mind. This seems to be a positive trend in Philly when considered alongside the green-minded development of the Comcast Center. As a further snub to the environment- and streetscape-damaging automobile, all of the building's unavoidable parking space will be underground. Great credit goes to architects Kohn Pedersen Fox for beautifully executing Walnut Street Capital's vision.
What's not to love? This is a great day for Philadelphia. Check out the official renderings and more information on phillyskyline.com.
Update: Digg this, please!
Photo/sketch by author, SkyscraperSunset.com, March 13, 2008.
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A William Penn statue on top sure would be nice!
The general shape of the building kind of makes me think the city will be giving the finger to someone. The spire makes it look like a big, vulgar hand signal.