Updated Broad and Washington plans disappoint Civic Design Review

The latest version of Bart Blatstein’s plans for Broad and Washington made a few small, but relatively important changes. This updated plan unveiled two weeks ago included the addition of a prominent stairway for rooftop village access and the placement of the 32-story tower has been shifted 60 feet west along Carpenter and 60 feet south along Broad.

But those changes were not enough to impress the Civic Design Review. The plans for this massive development were called “perfunctory,” with “profound” problems.

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The tower is going to cast long shadows on the surrounding neighborhood, said one resident. The design bears no relation to the architecture of the surrounding area, said another. The project can be built as a major gateway to Center City without being so tall, said a third. Tiffany Green, a Point Breeze resident, said the community would be happy with something more like 777 South Broad Street, a shorter mixed-use project built by Carl Dranoff.

Nancy Rogo-Trainer, chairwoman of the CDR committee, said the project feels more like a wall between South Philly and Center City than a gateway to downtown Philadelphia.

The next step for Blatstein is the Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing happening on April 27.