SYMPHONY HOUSE

Readers of this web site need no introduction to Symphony House. The pink new thirty-one story condo tower at Broad & Pine has, shall we say, had its share of critics.

Pink, in spite of its success in recent years (Cam'ron, Thomas shirts, gay liberation), is apparently not a popular color for skyscraper cladding among those who notice these things. Many a Pepto Bismol joke has been made about Big Pink, going as far as paralleling the dosage cup and the mansard roof. This far along in construction, though -- residents have already begun moving in, and all work should be finished this fall -- it appears that the pink façade will age well.

Of course this tower is not architecture for architects. Symphony House is about luxury and luxurious things.

The design, commissioned by developer Carl Dranoff himself to BLT Architects, is an ode to the roaring 20s, explaining the setbacks and mansard roof. Had the Gatsbys been 21st century Philadelphians, it seems unlikely they'd live anywhere else but the upper floors with their massive terraces overlooking the Kimmel Center . . . save for maybe the penthouse at Parc Rittenhouse.

Never minding the design, or the fact the residences sit on top of a six story parking podium, this building is all about -- how's that saying? -- location, location, location. At Broad & Pine, it situations itself not near, but directly on the Avenue of the Arts. The Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music, the Wilma Theater, Arts Bank, Clef Club of Jazz, Prince Theater and all the restaurants their patrons dine in are all right up the street. Plus Symphony House makes its own contribution to A of the A with the new home of the Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. And on the off chance that one of its new homebuyers is a sports fan, the Broad Street Subway is at the end of the block.

And, at long last, we've organized our 79 Symphony House construction photos in a user-friendly gallery you can find HERE.



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