Callowhill
Feasibility study
PARK is a mixed-use development that transforms a surface parking lot into a defining anchor in the Callowhill neighborhood. Prior to its use as a public parking lot, the site, centrally located in an industrial neighborhood, operated as a coal yard. Since Callowhill’s deindustrialization and the subsequent construction of the Vine Street Expressway which cut off accessibility from Center City, the neighborhood fell into decline. Recently, new development projects, most notably the Rail Park, have sparked renewed interest in the area. However, with the current lack of restaurant, retail, and business attractions, the area remains in need of an anchoring program. PARK responds to this need by fostering a symbiotic relationship between technology, infrastructure, and urban renewal.
The Rail Park’s completed first phase sits immediately north of the project site. Its elevation begins at 13th and Noble street and slopes upwards towards 12th St and culminates between 11th & 12th streets on Callowhill. Currently, the only means of accessible entry is by approach from Noble St. via Broad St. or via 12th St. Aligning with the average elevation of the Rail Park, PARK’s plaza level not only extends the width of the elevated park, but activates it with commercial and arts programs that encourages users to further engage with the site. The development incorporates an ADA ramp from 12th St. to alleviate some of the park’s accessibility issues while a grand stair off a pocket park activates the plaza level from 13th St.
Evoking the site’s industrial past, the building’s form takes inspiration from the vernacular architecture of coal breakers and grain silos. A play of horizontal and vertical masses distinguish residential from commercial programs while paying homage to its references. Perched on top of a horizontal technology facility, a residential tower on 13th St. gives the illusion of two tall and slender silos. Large columns with diagonal bracing are visible between building masses to expose the utility of the structure (as is typical of industrial buildings). The facades are clad in patinaed metal and the windows follow a similar rhythm to the many repurposed warehouses found throughout Philadelphia.
Stanev Potts was asked by a property ownership group to speculate about their site’s potential relative to ongoing zoning redistricting. Located next to the entry of the proposed rail park, the property holds the potential to be a gateway to the park, as well as to maximize density within the limits of a CMX-3 zoned property. A CMX-4 zoning designation would similarly constrain the potential massing of a structure, but would also allow for bonuses, aligning both developer and neighborhood interests.
We held multiple working sessions with the Commerce Department, Center City District, and the Coucilman’s office to structure an outreach and feedback plan that could demonstrate community support. We organized and led presentations and Q&A with highly interested community organizations (PCDC, CNA, and FRP). While ultimately we fell short of the designation change for which we had aimed, we did lay the groundwork for popular support of a large, landmark development to occur on the client’s site with extensive, multilevel connection with the rail park.
​
