East Market’s 2nd residential tower sails through design review

The design proposal for a second residential tower at East Market sailed through the monthly Civic Design Review yesterday at what might have been one of the shortest reviews ever.

BLT principle Michael L. Prifti presented plans for what’s being called the West Tower of East Market located at 1100 Market Street. As reported in August when renderings were first released, the second 22-story tower will add 240 apartments to the project and feature a garden terrace and an amenity level.

Prifti explained that they are aiming for the building to be LEED Silver certified "if not better than that." In addition, the goal with the West Tower’s look is to pay homage to the iconic PSFS Building next door without impeding it. Though nowhere near as tall as the PSFS Building, the West Tower will be clad in black brick and also have a curved base. The tower that will rise from the retail base has been positioned in the center so as to prevent obstructing views of the PSFS Building.

The design committee had little to say post-presentation, given the fact that the overall East Market project already went through the CDR process in 2014. At that time, there were talks of the West Tower overbuild, but it wasn’t clear what purpose the site would serve.

Today, the first phase of the $600 million East Market project is already well underway, with some retail expected to open as early as this fall. Prifti also says the Eastern Tower is halfway to topping out.

• A second residential tower at East Market heads to Civic Design Review [Curbed Philly]
• Inside the $600 million East Market mixed-use development [Curbed Philly]