A second East Market residential tower heads to Civic Design Review

A number of design proposals have been released ahead of the September Civic Design Review, but one in particular stands out: BLT Architects and National Real Estate Development are proposing to build a second residential tower for the massive East Market mixed-use project.

Philadelphia Inquirer first reported about the new renderings, which reveal a 22-story mixed-use metal tower proposed for 12th and Market streets. The building would sit right next to the 322-unit residential tower that’s already under construction.

In an e-mail to Curbed Philly, National Real Estate Development said:

We can confirm that additional plans have been submitted to the Civic Design Review Board as part of the continued evolution of the East Market project. We will provide specific details once all of the appropriate reviews of our proposal have occurred and our plans confirmed."

According to the proposal, the second tower will include 240 market-rate apartments on the upper levels; the first two stories will house retail. There will also be an amenity level on the third floor with a deck and pool on the outside and a movie theater, lounges, and a gym inside. Like its sister tower next door, there will be an underground parking garage with 172 car and bike parking spaces.

In total, the tower would add 327,055 square feet of retail and residential space to the already 775,696-square-foot project.

All in all, the news doesn’t come as a surprise: At the Urban Land Institute meeting in April, a developer with NRED said in a panel that they were considering adding some 250 residential units to the one tower.

The design proposal goes to the Civic Design Review on September 6.

• First Look: Inside the $600M East Market Mixed-Use Development [Curbed Philly]
• Mapping the 32 high-rises currently under construction in Philly [Curbed Philly]