New World-Class Skyscraper Coming to Philly

I heard about this on NPR on the ride into work. Philadelphia is planning a supertall skyscraper, the American Commerce Center, larger than the Sears Tower or the Empire State Building. Not only is this a demonstration of the growing confidence Philly has in herself, but it will also be a young, responsible concept in architecture. According to Philly.com:

The American Commerce Center would be constructed with a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold Certification in mind.

A "green building" is one that increases the efficiency with which it uses resources - energy, water and materials, and which reduces its impact on human health and the environment.

After the Chicago Spire and the Freedom Tower, it would be the 3rd-tallest building in the United States. Plans include office and retail space, an 8-screen movie theater, a 26 story hotel, and a garden on top. PhillySkyline has a great post up with more graphics and details.

The proposed architects also have Philadelphia roots:

The architect is Kohn Pedersen Fox, which designed the US Airways terminal at Philadelphia International Airport, Huntsman Hall, for the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Mellon Bank Center, Two Logan Square, One Logan Square and the Four Seasons Hotel.

Gene Kohn, one of the partners, is a Philadelphian. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in the '50s and once worked for prominent Philadelphia architect Vincent Kling.

That's what I'm talking about, Philly. Send up a great flowering shoot, announce that we are ready for the brotherly love and respect due this town. We're not barricading off Independence Hall anymore, not hiding our proud Liberty Bell in some bunker as once proposed, not aspiring to low-level office sprawl. We're standing up straight. Finally.