Philly’s Skyline Has Room To Grow
JOURNAL: ISSUE 3 - 2017
Philly’s skyline, stretching from the west banks of the Schuylkill to the Delaware River waterfront, is changing fast with booming construction underway. A recent report shows that there is about 2.1 million square feet of new construction in Philly with 1.4 million square feet of new construction projected by 2020. These new projects, including many high-rise, multi-use buildings, are set to change the city’s skyline and create numerous jobs for BAC members.
On the 1600 block of Vine Street in Philadelphia, two new buildings are going up – one is The Alexander, a 32-story luxury residential tower with 258 rental apartments and 13 three-story townhouses; the other is a 208-foot tall Mormon temple, featuring a visitor center, a family history center, and offices.
Mid-rise residential construction in Philadelphia is booming as well. On North Broad and Callowhill Streets, a multi-use development featuring two six-story apartment buildings across the street from one another are underway, both of which will include residential and retail space.
In May, the BAC Executive Board – BAC President James Boland, Secretary-Treasurer Tim Driscoll, Executive Vice Presidents Gerard Scarano and Carlos Aquin – visited these projects and met with members of BAC Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware who are working or have worked on these jobsites.
The Alexander
On the jobsite of The Alexander, over 40 bricklayers, tilesetters, and pointers/cleaners/caulkers of BAC Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware, employed by BAC signatory contractors AB & S Masonry (Jenkintown, PA), Belfi Brothers & Co. Inc. (Philadelphia, PA), Armor Masonry Restoration (Bristol, PA), and Onofrio's Precast Services Inc. (Gibbsboro, NJ) are working on the project.
The design of The Alexander is consistent with the brick-and-masonry Georgian and Federal architecture. The building façade is buff brick and the landscaping features historic-styled street lights, and brick and blue stone. The 397,657-square-foot project includes street-level retail space, a two-level parking garage, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a club room, and a business center. The building is welcoming its first residents at the end of this year.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints
Over 60 stone masons, tilesetters, and pointers/cleaners/caulkers of BAC Local 1 PA/DE, employed by Dan Lepore & Sons Company (Conshohocken, PA), Belfi Brothers & Co. Inc. (Philadelphia, PA), and Cleveland Marble Mosaic Co (Cleveland, OH), performed stone and tile work on the striking new Mormon temple – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – which was dedicated on September 18th.
The Church is clad entirely in granite, including all of the decorative features and pieces. In addition to the stone masonry on the exterior, the entire shell of the building and all of the granite is backed up with 100% grouted C.M.U. There are also support and mechanical buildings as well as underground parking facilities that are loaded with brick and block masonry.
Matt Stafford, Field Representative of BAC Local 1 PA/DE said, “This is an example of old world masonry. The craftsmanship is exceptional, demonstrating the skills and pride of the BAC craftworkers that worked on the project. The joints on the granite were all expertly caulked by BAC caulkers and this joint sealing definitely contributes to the beauty of this masonry masterpiece.”
BAC Local 1 PA/DE President Dennis Pagliotti agreed. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is just one of many projects our members are working on in Philadelphia. These projects are testaments to BAC members’ passion for masonry architecture and pride in skilled craftsmanship. The stone work on the Church was a once in a lifetime job for BAC stone masons,” Pagliotti said.
Hanover North Broad Development
Hanover North Broad Development, a multi-use project featuring two six-story apartment buildings on North Broad and Callowhill Streets, was just completed by 45 bricklayers of BAC Local 1 PA/DE employed by BAC signatory contractor AB & S Masonry (Jenkintown, PA).
The development includes two six-story apartment buildings across the street from one another. Once completed, the larger building on the southwest corner will house 229 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments, as well as 11,000 square feet of retail space, while the other building will feature 110 units and 6,000 square feet of retail. Both buildings will have parking garages, bike spaces, interior courtyards, a club house, a fitness center, a screening room, and a business center.
Because of the light color of surrounding buildings, tan brick rather than red brick, are used on the exterior, arranged in vertical sections, and accented with terra cotta-colored metal panels and gray trim to give the buildings a strong urban look. Balconies and slightly recessed windows help animate the façade.
“The complexity of design requires skilled craftsmanship. Our members on this job are proving every day that they are the best hands in the business,” BAC Local 1 PA/DE President Dennis Pagliotti said.
