The rumors are true: Toll Brothers has decided to nearly double the height of its proposed residential tower on Jewelers Row from 16 to 29 stories.
Philadelphia Business Journal first reported of the latest development yesterday, which will allow the development company to include 109 condo units. The original plan called for 80 units.
It’s the latest move in a months-long battle between the developers and preservationists who oppose the demolition of five buildings on Jewelers Row to make way for the condo tower. In November, the Philadelphia Historical Commission voted to delay its decision on designating two of the five buildings historic.
At that meeting, Paul Steinke of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia suggested that the plans included a 30-story building.
Toll Brothers has yet to make its design proposal public, but it will have to go to the Civic Design Review process next year since its project will now be well over 100,000 square feet.