Drexel New Master Plan is Insane

**6enny** · 09-07-2012, 01:27 PM

Drexel's New Master Plan

Am I taking the "future" pictures too literally? Is it something that has been approved by an engineer or architect or just an artist's rendering based off a 2 minute conversation with the Provost consisting of the direction to "Make Lancaster Avenue look nicer"?

Looks like they're going to be planting 50 year old trees, building skyscrapers in the middle of the railyard and upgrading the existing 7-11 to a luxury 4 story brick building.

**seand** · 09-07-2012, 04:03 PM

In terms of the area around 31st by the train tracks, there are no residential neighbors, its all a state KOZ and already zoned for high rise as far as I know. And they own a bunch of it, if not all of it.

So why not? The limit is their ability to finance it.

In terms of that last block of Lancaster, I'm not sure what Powelton Village Civic will do with all that (despite the article's insistance on PVCA buy-in).

**cubanChris** · 09-07-2012, 11:34 PM

I think the 7-11 piece is supposed to be one of their next initiatives, if not THE next initiative once the business school and chestnut project begin wrapping.

**concourse** · 09-08-2012, 06:15 AM

It's a plan. If they have a plan which says they want 5 story buildings on the edge of their campus the next few years they're going to try to get those CMX-2 and RM-1 parcels remapped into ones that don't have 38' height limits and presumably allow commercial and give incentives to the land owners to densify (because I don't believe Drexel owns all of that land). I mean, it's a vision for the future. Once you have that you can implement the policies and investments to get there.

**Naveen** · 09-11-2012, 10:48 PM

I'm glad they're being ambitious. The plan is certainly a recognition that urban spaces are best at higher densities, and that that is the draw of an urban campus. Drexel has a huge opportunity with so many empty lots and low-rise buildings.

Interesting that they preserved the 7-11 (a Drexel landmark at this point), but axed the Firestone Tires. That place saved me a couple of times!

Also: Robert A.M. Stern Architects seem really favored in this city. Anyone know why?

**Giavella Water** · 09-11-2012, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by 6enny

Drexel's New Master Plan

Am I taking the "future" pictures too literally? Is it something that has been approved by an engineer or architect or just an artist's rendering based off a 2 minute conversation with the Provost consisting of the direction to "Make Lancaster Avenue look nicer"?

Looks like they're going to be planting 50 year old trees, building skyscrapers in the middle of the railyard and upgrading the existing 7-11 to a luxury 4 story brick building.

Master plans have a way of changing and sometimes drastically I might add. The renderings of something akin to Emerald City make for nice presentations when trying to raise funds from alumni.

**raider.adam** · 09-11-2012, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by 6enny

Drexel's New Master Plan

Am I taking the "future" pictures too literally? Is it something that has been approved by an engineer or architect or just an artist's rendering based off a 2 minute conversation with the Provost consisting of the direction to "Make Lancaster Avenue look nicer"?

Looks like they're going to be planting 50 year old trees, building skyscrapers in the middle of the railyard and upgrading the existing 7-11 to a luxury 4 story brick building.

Not sure what the problem is. Looks like a pretty good idea.

**Zigster** · 09-12-2012, 10:21 AM

I'm actually rooting for Firestone. I don't see it as an eyesore at all.

**MarketStEl** · 09-12-2012, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Naveen

I'm glad they're being ambitious. The plan is certainly a recognition that urban spaces are best at higher densities, and that that is the draw of an urban campus. Drexel has a huge opportunity with so many empty lots and low-rise buildings.

Interesting that they preserved the 7-11 (a Drexel landmark at this point), but axed the Firestone Tires. That place saved me a couple of times!

Also: Robert A.M. Stern Architects seem really favored in this city. Anyone know why?

I wish I knew. I suspect it has something to do with his being one of the few prominent American architects willing to work in the Colonial/Federal Revival style.

--Sandy, who will give the Drexel master plan a good going-over later

**DocAwesome** · 09-12-2012, 11:22 AM

I've heard through absolutely no reputable sources that the owner of the firestone is asking way more money than it is worth. However, that location is definitely very valuable to Drexel.

On a more reliable note, College kids have made the roof of that Firestone into their own throwing practice target for trash, books, and god knows what else from University Crossings. I remember seeing a small one-seater sofa on there once.

**lewblum** · 09-12-2012, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Naveen

Also: Robert A.M. Stern Architects seem really favored in this city. Anyone know why?

Cuz he's the man...and probably one of the few starchitects that will touch Philly. His simple designs are probably a good fit for our labor costs.

**Giavella Water** · 09-12-2012, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by lewblum

Cuz he's the man...and probably one of the few starchitects that will touch Philly. His simple designs are probably a good fit for our labor costs.

Isn't he the guy who designed the giant flash drive?

**lewblum** · 09-12-2012, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Giavella Water

Isn't he the guy who designed the giant flash drive?

You mean the best modern hi-rise in Philly? Yes.

Love him or hate him he's the architect having the most profound physical impact on our city in the 21st century.

Btw, if you haven't seen his building down at the navy yard, go check it out

**BarryG** · 09-12-2012, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by lewblum

Cuz he's the man...and probably one of the few starchitects that will touch Philly. His simple designs are probably a good fit for our labor costs.

Tangentially... what is the status of the PMA's Gehry-designed tunnel?

**MarketStEl** · 09-13-2012, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by lewblum

You mean the best modern hi-rise in Philly? Yes.

To each his own. I think it's great at street level, but its bulk throws the skyline off balance.

Love him or hate him he's the architect having the most profound physical impact on our city in the 21st century.

Btw, if you haven't seen his building down at the navy yard, go check it out

As for starchitects who are willing to touch Philly, how about our own homegrown duo? They've been turning architecture upside down from right here since 1962 or thereabouts.

**Kukla65th** · 09-18-2012, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

Not sure what the problem is. Looks like a pretty good idea.

I heartily agree re Firestone...it's well maintained, and let's face it, real neon signs are a rare thing in Philadelphia anymore. I love seeing that place smack in the midst of a school day mob walking to and from class. Bizarre but it works.