Modern 10 story 163 unit apartment building in the middle of Victorian neighborhood. (Clark: dorm, construction)

[Tiger Beer]

That is a very ugly building (on Page 1).

Looks quite a bit better on Page 3, from the other angle though.

[Clark Park]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

That is a very ugly building (on Page 1).

Looks quite a bit better on Page 3, from the other angle though.

The building is on a rectangular plot of land. Three quarters of the building face Baltimore Avenue, that is why it is called "4224 Baltimore." Only one quarter will face 43rd Street and Clark Park - the view you see on page 3.

[Marius Pontmercy]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

The building is on a rectangular plot of land. Three quarters of the building face Baltimore Avenue, that is why it is called "4224 Baltimore." Only one quarter will face 43rd Street and Clark Park - the view you see on page 3.

One side faces Baltimore, one 43rd, one the back of the health center, and another on the alleyway in the middle of the block.

[MarketStEl]

Personally, I like the 43rd and Baltimore wing of the building and don't think it would be all that much of a clash. The trees in Clark Park will also help soften the streetscape, as will any of the sycamores the developers manage to preserve. The eastern wing is another story: both the massing and the brick on the lower floors look clumsy.

Drexel's newest residential building in the heart of its campus shows that Modernism and stone can play nice together, and I think this building wants to be stone more than it wants to be brick. I think the taller wing would look better if it more closely resembled two stacked boxes or a five-story tower mounted on a four-story podium, faced in stone, or on the lower floors, glass with stone accents.

[Toure]

Its not an ugly building, the only problem is that there is a big difference in the architecture from the building, and its surroundings. If that was in UC, it would be amazing. Its just the place it was put which made this a controversy. One thing I want to sadly add is:

After watching Philly evolve Im sad to say this city will in 5 years be expensive, and in 10 years be super expensive. Take a drive around CC, UC, and its surroundings, all you see it hippies, all you see is coffee shopes, and boutiques. When I take a drive through this city idk if its because I was born here, or what, but I think this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Archutechure is the best in the US (and when more neighborhoods improve, the old beautiful houses will be restored to their glory), seriously only someone who hasnt been to Philly will say its a waist land. I've had an uncle from Cleveland come visit our family, on the phone he said "Isnt this city like Detroit? Im scared (he was joking, but serious). When he got here his mouth kept dropping, because he have never been in the N.E, only Chi, SF, and HI. He said these are the best neighborhoods he have ever saw, we got him a tour guide too. He LOVES the city, and ask me to send him cheese steaks in the mail LOL. It just goes to show, people have no idea. Mostly all visiters to the city are confused, by the looks, and surprised.

As more people change their view on the city, the more the city will become expensive.

[MikeNigh]

Originally Posted by Toure

Its not an ugly building, the only problem is that there is a big difference in the architecture from the building, and its surroundings. If that was in UC, it would be amazing. Its just the place it was put which made this a controversy. One thing I want to sadly add is:

After watching Philly evolve Im sad to say this city will in 5 years be expensive, and in 10 years be super expensive. Take a drive around CC, UC, and its surroundings, all you see it hippies, all you see is coffee shopes, and boutiques. When I take a drive through this city idk if its because I was born here, or what, but I think this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Archutechure is the best in the US (and when more neighborhoods improve, the old beautiful houses will be restored to their glory), seriously only someone who hasnt been to Philly will say its a waist land. I've had an uncle from Cleveland come visit our family, on the phone he said "Isnt this city like Detroit? Im scared (he was joking, but serious). When he got here his mouth kept dropping, because he have never been in the N.E, only Chi, SF, and HI. He said these are the best neighborhoods he have ever saw, we got him a tour guide too. He LOVES the city, and ask me to send him cheese steaks in the mail LOL. It just goes to show, people have no idea. Mostly all visiters to the city are confused, by the looks, and surprised.

As more people change their view on the city, the more the city will become expensive.

I think there is still too much room for wealth to expand vs going straight up. Philly needs to fully gentrify before the prices go up. There are also a lot of parking lots etc ready to meet the demand with supply. All things considered though, it's happening pretty quick.

[Clark Park]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

... The eastern wing is another story: both the massing and the brick on the lower floors look clumsy.

Drexel's newest residential building in the heart of its campus shows that Modernism and stone can play nice together, and I think this building wants to be stone more than it wants to be brick. I think the taller wing would look better if it more closely resembled two stacked boxes or a five-story tower mounted on a four-story podium, faced in stone, or on the lower floors, glass with stone accents.

An excellent suggestion.

As someone who lives directly across the street from this proposed apartment building, I think a lot of people are taking me for a "NIMBY" who only wants reproductions of Second Empire Victorian twins like my house across the street. Not at all! I just want something beautiful. I don't own that land and I am not in the position to dictate to the developer what to put or which architect to hire. The property owner (Clarkmore Group LLP) deserves to make a profit. Personally, if they proposed something that was 2, 3, or 4 stories higher than the 4 story 38 foot height restriction, I would love that; but they seem determined to get the zoning changed to put something that is 10 stories and 100 feet high. I will have to live with that.

I think the best the local organizations and community groups (like The Spruce Hill Neighborhood Association, The Friends Of Clark Park, The University City Historical Society, UC Green, etc.) is negotiate an agreement with Clarkmore to try to lure local independent retail tenants and "tweek" the building to aspire to be a bit more harmonious and elegant in acknowledging the neighborhood it is situated in.

[Pine to Vine]

There was an interesting article by Inga in today's Inquirer on this project highlighting the community's input into the design: Changing Skyline: Including neighbors in planning process

[Angus215]

why not, there are huge apartment/condo buildings on washington and rittenhouse squares

[james777]

Originally Posted by mancat100

You know, I actually like the building design. If it was being proposed for Northern Liberties I'd be cheering for it to be constructed as is with few changes. It's just out of place at 43rd and Baltimore. I'm talking specifically about the facade materials, not the overall project which I support 100%. It's all about the context. It needs to be warmer and brickier or stonier.

I agree with you. If they would just use brick, any color of brick, or textured blocks, the design would fit into the neighborhood much better.