Lincoln Square mixed-use clears design committee hurdle

The design proposal for Lincoln Square, a mixed-use development proposed for the corner of South Broad Street and Washington Avenue, was approved by the Civic Design Review committee, though not without some critiques.

“I applaud the developer for working with the historic building,” said committee chair Nancy Rogo-Trainer, “but I think the lower level of the main building needs as much love and attention as the upper part.”

Rogo-Trainer, the only member to vote against conclusion of the CDR process, said it bottom half of the 9-story building “looks like a placeholder.”

The upper levels of the building will consist of 322 apartments, some with inset balconies. Meanwhile, the first two stories of the new build will feature retail and restaurant tenants. The train shed will be restored and include a glassy addition that attempts to bridge the architectural details of the historic structure with the new apartment building.

The design team also commented on the proposed Lincoln Walk, which is being proposed as a pedestrian pathway between the shed and the apartment building. The proposal also calls for a loading platform along this strip. Committee member Cecil Baker said, “As a citizen of Philadelphia, I’d feel better if you arranged the loading dock so that trucks can turn around instead of backing out onto 15th street.”

The 286,170-square-foot project, which is co-developed by MIS Capital and Alterra Property Group, is expected to break ground next February, if not sooner, Steve Gendler of MIS Capital tells Curbed Philly.

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• Lincoln Square renderings, video released ahead of Civic Design Review [Curbed Philly]
• New Lincoln Square renderings revealed [Curbed Philly]
• $100M Lincoln Square development proposed for Broad and Washington [Curbed Philly]
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