1900 Arch

[Cro Burnham]

a cornice really enhances value? wasn't the drake kind of a dump for while? i never heard that theory before, but i agree the design here might be improved. but it's not so bad if thee materials aren't really cheap. i hope they start soon.

[billy ross]

a cornice really enhances value? wasn't the drake kind of a dump for while? i never heard that theory before, but i agree the design here might be improved. but it's not so bad if thee materials aren't really cheap. i hope they start soon.

Name for me the buildings you love, and the ones you hate, then think of how they transition from the building to the sky. Loving and hating buildings translates into value or non-value (just think of how awful the public housing projects like Raymond Rosen were). The cornice isn't the only thing, but an abrupt non-transition = POS and an extremely elegant transition = really nice building. It's how buildings used to set themselves apart in the old days, when they knew how to build buildings. Trailers = extremely inelegant transitions. City Hall = extremely elegant transition. See the difference? That's why Toll Brothers' developments were once described as 'furiously gabled' - they knew how to set the stage, even if I don't like their stuff, especially their suburban stuff. It's also why people love Paris and hate Eastern Block design.

[londoner]

Name for me the buildings you love, and the ones you hate, then think of how they transition from the building to the sky. Loving and hating buildings translates into value or non-value (just think of how awful the public housing projects like Raymond Rosen were). The cornice isn't the only thing, but an abrupt non-transition = POS and an extremely elegant transition = really nice building. It's how buildings used to set themselves apart in the old days, when they knew how to build buildings. Trailers = extremely inelegant transitions. City Hall = extremely elegant transition. See the difference? That's why Toll Brothers' developments were once described as 'furiously gabled' - they knew how to set the stage, even if I don't like their stuff, especially their suburban stuff. It's also why people love Paris and hate Eastern Block design.

Also, architects generally like to omit the unsightly, clumsy and horribly designed mechanical/ HVAC boxes that sit on top of all these buildings from their sales renderings. My guess is that this building will have a nice squatt one right on top that will rob it of any elegance it may have had.

[Titus]

a cornice really enhances value? wasn't the drake kind of a dump for while?

Maybe it was a dump, but it was a magnificent dump. A building like that never ceases to delight the eye whereas much of what passes for architecture today rarely does so.

[Jayfar]

Maybe it was a dump, but it was a magnificent dump. A building like that never ceases to delight the eye whereas much of what passes for architecture today rarely does so.

This. Can't beat the Drake. It's magnificance, especially the upper penthouse floors, far exceeds anything else on the Philly skyline.

[Cro Burnham]

don't get me wrong, i love the drake. it is one of my favorite buildings in philly. but it had a depressedeconomic value for a very long time. my point is that a beautiful top by no means has been demonstrated to translate into consistent high economic value. that's all.

i think quality construction and high functionality (along with good location) are much better predictors of long term economic value.

[Cro Burnham]

let's talk about toll brothers in twenty years when naval square has had the chance to age a bit. i am not convincefd the structures will retain value despite a profusion of gables and cornices. i imagine the "topless" piazza or 108 arch will retain value much better.

[Naveen]

let's talk about toll brothers in twenty years when naval square has had the chance to age a bit. i am not convincefd the structures will retain value despite a profusion of gables and cornices. i imagine the "topless" piazza or 108 arch will retain value much better.

The problem with Toll Bros. homes is the same problem with suburban homes built in the past 30 years: faux-character. Naval Square is just the same thing in an urban-style. Who knows, they might actually look better after aging a bit (thought I doubt it).

The aesthetic taste of today's architects don't jive with the masses. That's why 1900 arch won't appeal on those grounds. We haven't really had the taste of the designers' match the common person's in over half a century.

[jn00]

Walked by the site yesterday and didn't seem like anything was going on. Backhoe is still there and a fence is up, but I think that fence has been up for quite some time.

[New2Fishtown]

Walked by at lunch today. New fences up around the site blocking the Arch and 19th street sidewalks, with signs indicating that pedestrians should cross to avoid them. The backhoe was going full steam, tearing up concrete and moving dirt around. I'd say this project is a go.

[Jayfar]

At the end of a piece about PMC's remake of the AAA building:

Meanwhile, PMC has started construction of a 14-story apartment building at 19th and Arch streets in Center City. That development will have 234 rental units and roughly 10,000 square feet of retail space. It will be completed by late 2013 or early 2014.

PMC making progress on turning AAA building into Phila. apartments - Philadelphia Business Journal

[Debbie1125]

I'm glad to hear that an apartment building will be going up at 1900 Arch. It's much better than yet another surface parking lot.

[Sharkfood]

let's talk about toll brothers in twenty years when naval square has had the chance to age a bit. i am not convincefd the structures will retain value despite a profusion of gables and cornices. i imagine the "topless" piazza or 108 arch will retain value much better.

People in the 60's and 70's never imagined that their concrete modern hulks would someday appear dated. So I agree with you, the Piazza and 108 Arch will look just splendid in 30 years. It won't age; it will be perfectly maintained; and they style will never go out of fashion.

[Cro Burnham]

People in the 60's and 70's never imagined that their concrete modern hulks would someday appear dated. So I agree with you, the Piazza and 108 Arch will look just splendid in 30 years. It won't age; it will be perfectly maintained; and they style will never go out of fashion.

I'll pretend you are optimistic rather than sarcastic.

At least these buildings are not made of matchsticks. Yes, concrete buildings can age badly if poorly maintained, I'll give you that. But they are also more durable and better able to be rehabbed after long periods of neglect. This is unlikely to be the case for structures held up by 2x4s and particle board.

In any event, this turn of conversation related to an earlier statement that cornices make buildings more valuable over the long term. Obviously not true. there are far more important factors, such as location, functionality, and quality of construction.