The new $1.2 billion tower, designed by the British “starchitect” Lord Norman Foster, will redefine Philadelphia’s skyline and will include a new Four Seasons Hotel on the upper floors. (Image courtesy Comcast)
Colossal news, Philadelphia. The city’s skyline is on the rise. Today, the Comcast Corporation and Liberty Property Trust introduced a massive plan for a brand-new, 1,121-foot tower to be constructed on the 1800 block of Arch Street.
A sister skyscraper to the Comcast Center, the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center will climb nearly 150 feet above its older sibling, which stands 975 feet tall.
Housed within the soaring structure, Comcast’s ever-expanding technology workforce will take up residence alongside new headquarters for both NBC10 and Telemundo, and a 220-room Four Seasons Philadelphia Hotel.
The $1.2 billion project is set to break ground this summer, with an opening projected for 2017.
Read on for more on what’s coming to the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center.
The Tower
A mixed-use space, the 59-story building will include Comcast offices, rentable office space, public space, restaurants and the new hotel.
Designed by architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the tower will span the entire block of Arch and include a block-long lobby with a glass-enclosed indoor plaza, which Foster has described as a “window on Philadelphia.”
Philadelphians will be able to take advantage of the space with a new ground-floor restaurant and concourse, which will provide direct access to SEPTA's Suburban Station. The office portion of the building will occupy the lower 45 floors, with the hotel rising above.
When complete, the tower is anticipated to claim its place as the tallest building in the entire United States outside of New York and Chicago. Additionally, with the project seeking LEED Platinum certification, innovation in the building process can be assumed.
Plus, with its huge economic impact, the enterprise will be the largest private development project in the history of Pennsylvania. Whoa.
The Four Seasons Hotel & Top Floor-Restaurant
The Four Seasons Philadelphia has held court on Logan Square for more than 30 years, but with the construction of the new tower, the hotel will transition to new sky-high digs.
Housed on the top floors of the tower, the new luxury hotel will include more than 200 rooms, a spa, fitness facilities, event and meeting space, as well as — get ready for it — an exciting new restaurant located on the top floor of the building, offering awesome 360 degree city views.
During construction the Four Seasons will continue to manage its existing, iconic hotel at 1 Logan Square, and will assist the owner with a transition to a new brand.
Stay tuned for more on this incredible development for the city of Philadelphia.
We can’t wait to raise a glass to Comcast’s innovation on the 59th floor.
Comcast, Liberty Property to construct new $1.2B skyscraper [Philadelphia Business Journal]
Comcast to Expand Philadelphia Presence with Comcast Innovation and Technology Center [Comcast Voices]
Video
Check out the video preview of the new tower.
Called the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center, the new tower will rise 1,121 feet making it the tallest building in America outside of New York and Chicago. (Image via Comcast)
In addition to office space, the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center will house a Four Seasons hotel, featuring more than 200 rooms. The luxury hotel will include world-class spa, fitness, event and meeting facilities as well as an exciting new restaurant located on the top floor of the building. (Image via Comcast)
Oh, did you say top-floor restaurant? Yes. On the very top floor, the 59th floor, there will be an amazing restaurant and lounge offering unbelievable 360-degree views of the entire city. This might be the best part. (Image courtesy Comcast)
Located on the 1800 block of Arch Street in Center City Philadelphia, the new tower will neighbor Comcast Center, Comcast Corporation's global headquarters, and become a dedicated home for the company's growing workforce of technologists, engineers, and software architects. (Image via Comcast)
A rendering of a hotel room at the new Four Seasons Hotel, which will be located on the top floors of the building, with a view looking out on the top of the existing Comcast Center. (Image courtesy Comcast)