American Commerce Center
Encyclopedia
The American Commerce Center was a supertall skyscraper
approved for construction in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. At 1510 feet (460 m) tall with 63 floors, the building would dominate the Philadelphia skyline, standing over 500 ft (152.4 m) taller than Philadelphia's current tallest building, the recently completed Comcast Center
. The office tower would stand on the 19th Street side of Arch Street, and be connected to a 473 ft (144 m), 26-story hotel tower and public plaza along the 18th Street side of the block. The connection consists of a multi-story skybridge with a garden on top.
Of several supertall skyscrapers proposed for Philadelphia (including the Center City Tower
and an early version of Comcast Center
), this would be the first to be constructed.
The building would be the second tallest building in the United States behind the Willis Tower at 1,730 ft (527 m). However, it would be the third tallest upon completion behind the 1,776 feet (541 meter) One World Trade Center, currently under construction in New York City
. The tower's observation deck would be the tallest in the city.
On June 19, 2008, Philadelphia City Councilman Darrell Clarke
introduced changes for the zoning legislation around 18th and Arch Streets which was the first step towards building the tower. On November 18, 2008, the City Planning Commission signed off on legislation needed for the zoning changes. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, "the developers will have to come back for approval of their building plan if Council passes the zoning bills." On December 11, 2008, the zoning changes in question were unanimously approved by City Council.
On August 19, 2011, Liberty Property Trust
acquired the development site from Hill International Real Estate Partners for a reported $40 million, which equates to $612 per square-foot ($2,008 per square-meter). The same company constructed the nearby Comcast Center and Liberty Place complex
. However, the project was cancelled.
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
approved for construction in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. At 1510 feet (460 m) tall with 63 floors, the building would dominate the Philadelphia skyline, standing over 500 ft (152.4 m) taller than Philadelphia's current tallest building, the recently completed Comcast Center
Comcast Center (office building)
Comcast Center is a skyscraper in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 58-story, tower is the tallest building in Philadelphia and the fifteenth tallest building in the United States. Originally called One Pennsylvania Plaza when the building was first announced in 2001, the Comcast Center...
. The office tower would stand on the 19th Street side of Arch Street, and be connected to a 473 ft (144 m), 26-story hotel tower and public plaza along the 18th Street side of the block. The connection consists of a multi-story skybridge with a garden on top.
Of several supertall skyscrapers proposed for Philadelphia (including the Center City Tower
Center City Tower (Philadelphia)
Center City Tower was the working name of a formerly proposed skyscraper in downtown Philadelphia.Designed and proposed by the firm now known as Kling , the building would have risen to a height of 1,050 feet and 75 stories, making it the tallest building in The United States outside New York and...
and an early version of Comcast Center
Comcast Center (office building)
Comcast Center is a skyscraper in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 58-story, tower is the tallest building in Philadelphia and the fifteenth tallest building in the United States. Originally called One Pennsylvania Plaza when the building was first announced in 2001, the Comcast Center...
), this would be the first to be constructed.
The building would be the second tallest building in the United States behind the Willis Tower at 1,730 ft (527 m). However, it would be the third tallest upon completion behind the 1,776 feet (541 meter) One World Trade Center, currently under construction in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The tower's observation deck would be the tallest in the city.
On June 19, 2008, Philadelphia City Councilman Darrell Clarke
Darrell L. Clarke (politician)
Darrell L. Clarke is an American politician, and member of the Democratic Party. He is currently a member of the Philadelphia City Council, where he represents the Fifth District, which emcompasses North Central Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Lower Hunting Park, Ludlow, Yorktown, West Poplar,...
introduced changes for the zoning legislation around 18th and Arch Streets which was the first step towards building the tower. On November 18, 2008, the City Planning Commission signed off on legislation needed for the zoning changes. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, "the developers will have to come back for approval of their building plan if Council passes the zoning bills." On December 11, 2008, the zoning changes in question were unanimously approved by City Council.
On August 19, 2011, Liberty Property Trust
Liberty Property Trust
Liberty Property Trust , based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA is a real estate investment trust. Liberty Property Trust owns over of office and industrial space in 20 markets throughout the United States and the United Kingdom .-History:...
acquired the development site from Hill International Real Estate Partners for a reported $40 million, which equates to $612 per square-foot ($2,008 per square-meter). The same company constructed the nearby Comcast Center and Liberty Place complex
Liberty Place
Liberty Place is a skyscraper complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The complex is composed of a 61-story skyscraper called One Liberty Place, a 58-story skyscraper called Two Liberty Place, a two-story shopping mall called the Shops at Liberty Place, and the 14-story Westin...
. However, the project was cancelled.
See also
- List of tallest buildings in the world
- List of tallest buildings in the United States
- List of tallest buildings in Philadelphia