City commission: Market tower proposal too boring

It seems the developers of a proposed 35-story tower for East Market Street were too successful in their attempt to keep the building unobtrusive.

While the largely residential structure proposed for the site of the historic Lit Brothers building was tentatively approved Tuesday by the Philadelphia Historic Commission's architectural committee, the committee requested a redesign of the $102 million project.

Committee members agreed with a critique by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia that the current design is "inappropriately bland" for a structure that would share the block with such an architectural standout as the Lit Brothers building.

The criticism elicited a bemused shrug from John J. Connors, president of Brickstone Reality Corp, owner of the property, Mellon Independence Center.

"We thought that this is what they would want," he said of the inconspicuous design. "Looks like we guessed wrong."

The building was specifically designed to detract as a little as possible from Lit Brothers historic facade along Market Street between 7th and 8th Streets.

To that end, it would be placed on the rear center of the block, set back 180 feet from Market Street and 150 feet each from 7th and 8th Streets.

Committee members praised the location, noting that to the casual viewer the building would appear not to be even sharing the same block as the Lit Brother's building. They were less taken with the unremarkable design, which they said did not live up to the standards set by the Lit Brothers building.

Committee member John Cluver suggested Brickstone come back with something "more bold."

Connors' team signaled it would.

The project represents an energetic addition to Market Street east of City Hall, which has been for decades an anemic mirror of the robust activity west of Broad Street.

The proposal as it now stands calls for a mixed-use tower that would house 342 residential units, five floors of office space and a ground floor that includes retail. While the building would have a "ceremonial" entrance on Market Street, the developers expect most traffic in and out to come from entrances on 7th and 8th.

The design would preserve the existing facades that now bound the property.

The full Historical Commission is set to review the plans March 14.

Source: Philly.com