You've no doubt heard the news about Liberty Property's billion-dollar announcement to build the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center (unless your Internet's been down... in which case, tell Comcast). While the estimated 2,800 permanent new jobs created will be a boon to the city, here are some other features of the 59-story skyscraper that you might have overlooked:
1) A sky-high hotel
When it's completed in 2017, the Four Seasons on Logan Square will move into the building. While the 200 rooms are technically a downsizing, we're guessing the view from the top floor will be a nice trade-off.
2) An incubator
Comcast is finalizing its plans to dedicate building space for Philly start-ups. To add to its media and tech (and, yes, bilingual) credentials, local stations NBC 10/WCAU and Telemundo 62/WWSI will also be moving in.
3) Public works improvements
Transformation of the neighborhood will extend beyond the immediate construction site at 18th and Arch. Liberty and Comcast plan to connect the tower to SEPTA's Suburban Station through an extension to the underground concourse and renovations to the streets. The improvements will be financed through $30M in state grants.
4) A whole lot of green (and not just $$)
Whatever your opinion on Foster + Partners' design, CITC will also strive for the vaunted LEED Platinum certification. That would top the original Comcast Center's LEED Gold status. (Because being the tallest is never enough.)
We're curious: Do you think the benefits of this project will trickle down, or do Philly's business and wage taxes still pose a challenge to smaller companies? Tell us your thoughts by clicking the image above.
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