Now, all of the hypothetical employees in this rendering will be Comcast employees. | Courtesy of Comcast and Foster + Partners, via Philadelphia Business Journal
- Speaking at the Union League yesterday, Comcast executive vice president David Cohen revealed that the communications giant has decided against subletting any of its next skyscraper’s 1.28 million-square-feet of office space. Cohen explained how, short of considering a third tower, it only made sense to commit to the remaining quarter of the Innovation and Technology Center’s office space. The Philadelphia Business Journal takes note of the company’s habit of misjudging its growth trajectory. It planned on staking less in the Comcast Center a decade ago, yet now spreads its estimated 5,000 Center City employees among two other buildings–Centre Square and Three Logan Square.
- The Philly History Blog’s Steven Ujifusa contextualizes the pervasive influence of the Second [French] Empire style in post-Civil War Philadelphia. As he shows, so much of Centennial Age Philadelphia took its aesthetic hints from the Parisian École des Beaux-Arts, providing artists in Sargent, Eakins, and Calder, and postcard-perfect perspectives of West Philly’s mansard roofs and South Broad’s Union League and City Hall.
- The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia is currently seeking applications for its second annual Willard G. “Bill” Rouse III Awards for Excellence, to be awarded June 17th. Potential development projects “must meet ULI’s mission to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide, achieve excellence in the use of best practices, demonstrate quality planning and design, incorporate elements which build healthy places, promote environmental sustainability and energy reduction, achieve economic success and market acceptance, and meet community needs.” Applications will be accepted (through March 6) HERE.
- Curbed Philly’s Megan Ritchie Jooste shares some photos from a recent guided tour of the former Thaddeus Stevens school on North Broad & Spring Garden before the beginning of its adaption within Eric Blumenfeld’s 56-unit Mural Arts Lofts project.
- The Passyunk Post tells of delays in developer Stephen Olitsky’s planned 1,800-square-foot restaurant (topped with 3 apartments) at 12th & Morris, including the departure of executive chef Chris Scarduzio.
About the author
Stephen Currall recently received his BA in history from Arcadia University. Before beginning doctoral studies, he is pursuing his interest in local history, specifically just how Philadelphians engage their vibrant past. Besides skimming through 18th century letters, Steve is also interested in music and travel.
