American Commerce Center

[@samuelbennie7690]

I remember reading the plans for this building to be built like it was yesterday....i was so rooting for this to happen and at the time not really knowing about the Freedom Tower. But the idea of Philly and New York having pretty much the same building would have been snazzy. This would have done wonders for the skyline.

[@sn00dmasterK]

I was heartbroken to find out this was cancelled. The ACC was to be the symbol of a new Philadelphia, but i suppose Comcast's Innovation and Technology Center will become that symbol. Although this looks far better than the CIT as well as significantly larger. Hope it is revitalized in the near future

[@RAA555]

This fits Philadelphia's architectural style a lot more than whats currently being built. Such a shame they cancelled it.

[@wanderer34]

I cannot believe this tower was never built!!!!! If built according to it's schedule, it would've been the tallest building in America (pending the completion of the Freedom Tower, in which it would cede to second place) for a short time, plus the building would've been a little vacant, but in the future, it would fill up depending on the economy. I personally feel the tower's plans were much better since it was planned to be a multi-use building (high-end mall, movie theatre, fitness center, upscale hotel, restaurants, office, and even an observation deck) compared to the Comcast Center, which is strictly a corporate tower (not open to the public plus 90% of the building is leased by Comcast). If Comcast were to go belly a la Sears Tower, then most of that tower would be vacant and that would've meant trouble for Liberty Property Trust, as they would've had trouble getting their rent. I'm pretty sure that the developer for the ACC had a great plan to lease half of the office space to a major tenant (TD Financial, GlaxoSmithKline, Verizon, etc.) and subdivide the rest of the office to smaller firms, which would've made a lot of sense in today's economy, since a lot of companies are downsizing. This is a missed opportunity on Philadelphia's part to get on the world map, or on the American map of consciousness!!!!!

[@hop208]

I'm from Philadelphia and it's a lot bigger then people from other place realize. We have over 1.4 million people living here and our suburbs have about 6 million people living there. People glaze over us sometimes because of our proximity to NYC (less then 2 hours), but we are a major city. When this building is finished, it will be the tallest on the east coast (including the spire) seconded only when they finally start building the Freedom Tower in NYC at ground zero.

[@Philly-mx7pn]

can we petition for this project to come back, and maybe this time around build it on 8th and market?

[@inquizative44]

Certainly enough space......but you know the NIMBY's will complain....'it's too tall, it's too modern, it's just too.. etc...etc...

[@chello1197]

Make this building at Board and Washington. someone get it started in 2019. Philly needs at least one super skyscraper.

[@wanderer34]

Something is already being planned for Broad and Washington, which is more in scale with South Philly than the ACC. If I could turn back time, I'd definitely make the ACC a major priority than what the current administrations didn't do.

[@Swinefeld]

Stunning animation. A magnificent building that just has to be built. This is Philly's chance to grab hold of the future. This is a world class building that Philadelphia deserves.

[@judegeorge3201]

It would have been spectacular. Such a shame.

[@M4rtingale]

It's been approved, and is estimated to be groundbreaking this year.

[@NATHANGRAYTV]

If they had the funds and a new spot to put it; without it interfering with the new comcast tower, that'll be nice.

[@jakdracula]

We need this. It's that simple. Philadelphia needs more glass buildings, these cement brown things make us look like we're very long in the tooth.

[@39Hundred]

Sad that this skyscraper was cancelled. We are getting the shorter Comcast Innovation and Technology Center instead. I wish Comcast would acquire the rights to this design for their new building.

[@Anthony61007]

:) The beautiful city of Philadelphia.

[@1legomaster]

No problem :) And if you are thinking about visiting Philly and looking around visit "The City Hall Tour". Its a great place to see the whole city. Its an observation deck on the top of city hall. Right beneath William Penn. Great view for such an older building. (It was built in 1909). But its over 567 feet tall! Magnificent view!

[@1legomaster]

If they complete this bad boy it will be the 2nd tallest building in the U.S! Right after the Freedom Tower. But still atleast Philly is starting to make some big skyscrapers! I can't believe it my favorite city is going to have the 2nd tallest building in the U.S! Go Philly! I wuv you Philly!

[@1legomaster]

Same here! I am a big skyscraper nerd to! All my friends are like "Dude how do you love buildings? I don't see how you can like them. The don't movie or do anything". But to me skyscrapers are everything! My whole room even! I have pictures of them. I just think there beautiful and cool. And the best part is I only live 45 minutes away from Philly lol. But yes, I do hope the ACC gets built. And can't wait for new Twin Towers at the new WTC!

[@wowzer107]

I saw this at the original planning commission meeting when it was first shown. I testified in favor of it and reminded them it should have an observation deck. I think it will be built because the developers and architect are top-notch and have experience building and designing these supertall towers. :)

[@hop208]

@puppetmaster195 That IS the company that built the Comcast Tower. They are the ones who cancelled it.

[@italobambino43]

@TheCynicalEye Which way to expand ? It seems to be moving in three directions, west out towards the University city area along Market street. Northwards up to the vine street expressway and Eastward on the waterfront! These are the areas to watch. They had plans to build over Amtak's 30 th. Street station since the late 80's, and with the Cira Center that has now become a reality. Philadephia has a very densely populated down town, many historic neighborhoods surround Center City as well.

[@lewisgarrison860]

Real shame this one didn't get built.

[@hop208]

I think they count the spire in the height of the Empire State Building. So I think, after the Sears Tower and the Chicago Spire which looks amazing, it will be tallest which makes it number 3 in the country and number 1 on the east coast at least until the new Freedom Tower is finally built. About the spire. I think it fine the way it is. It centered almost for viewing from the Schuylkill expressway or river.

[@hop208]

On August 19, 2011, Liberty Property Trust acquired the development site from Hill International Real Estate Partners for a reported $40 million. The same company constructed the nearby Comcast Center and Liberty Place complex. The building is now cancelled. :(

[@CeleniaMack-j3y]

someone please tell me why they canceled this?That was going to be the Tallest in America! and it would have made Philly so much more famous and a big population boost! Why cancelled it? someone tell me why it's cancelled!

[@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET]

they couldn't bribe all of the local crooks! so they moved to Dubai!

[@SayedhassanZoomzinct]

The recession caused them to cancel it.

[@wanderer34]

Sayed hassan I doubt that the recession was the sole reason for its cancellation. There were numerous reasons why it never came to fruition such as the developer, Hill Intl not getting a major tenant being the main reason and numerous nimby protests stalling the project plus the city and state leaders at the time didn't seem so hung ho on trying to get the project off its feet. If the city and state leaders did their jobs, we would've have a company like TD Bank, GSK, of GE headquartered in Philly as we speak and not to mention a much better looking and revenue producing skyscraper than the one that's currently being built! Oh if we could only turn back time and not mothball that beautiful skyscraper! 😥😥😥

[@acmerockgroup]

They couldn't secure tenants.

[@hop208]

I hope the recession doesn't postpone construction too long. I am SOOO EXCITED about this being built here. It's going to be taller then the Empire State Building. After the Sears Tower (Willis Tower BOOO!) and the New Chicago Spire being built right now. It will be the tallest. I guess it will be third until they finish Freedom Tower in NYC.

[@maurapple]

They originally had problems with zoning the site or something. But back last August, somebody else brought the site for 40 million, and the company who planned to build the commerce center bought it in 2007 for 32 million. The people who own the land now are the same company who built the comcast center. Don't know what they're doing with it yet, but if they built something as tall as the comcast center, hopefully they have plans for something taller!

[@hop208]

@WeirdMrBilly As of now, no. I will remain a parking lot for the time being. Funny thing is when everyone thought it was going to be built, Comcast actually expressed interest in renting out some floors. It's really sad, it would have been Philadelphia's first world class skyscraper.

[@hop208]

@puppetmaster195 I have no idea. Nothing had been made public. I hope they build the American Commerce Center somewhere else in the city if not there.

[@hop208]

I know. Originally the AMC was supposed to be built before freedom tower was built or finished making it the tallest for a little bit anyway, but god forbid Philly take a little bit of the spotlight away from New York for even a minute.

[@hop208]

@puppetmaster195 Because they don't want the Comcast Tower to be outdone. It would be like the people who built the Chrysler Building buying the land where the Empire State Building was built and stopping it. They probably would have done that if they could.

[@PandoraKyss]

Let's hope they complete this bad boy before the apocalypse.

[@spikebythesea]

This video makes me feel as though I have already been to the building whether it gets built or not. :)

[@hop208]

I think Comcast actually will be taking up some office space.

[@hop208]

I hope they break ground soon. I went past the site yesterday and it is still being used as a pay to park parking lot. There is a large sign (not a billboard) in the corner of the lot with a picture of the AMC but there was no equipment or construction going on. They haven't even broken the pavement of the lot yet. I wish I could post a picture because it's "spire" isn't considered a spire because it has rooms in it so it will be taller then the Sears Tower making it the tallest in the USA!!

[@PandoraKyss]

They must build this; it's beautiful, it's compelling. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, eat your heart out.

[@1legomaster]

What the American Commerce Center? Nope its just been put on hold. The project is still a go. Which I am very excited for Philly to have there first building over 1,000 feet. I only live 45 minutes away from Philly, and when it opens I will be there! :)

[@maninthebox92]

i didn't realize philadelphia was so big, idk why but i always thought it was small... like i had no idea look at 1:45 - 2:30. its effin huge... does anyone agree with me? oh btw... the building is cleared and its a GO (or so Ive heard)

[@JKwiatkowski94]

I'm pretty sure construction on the Chicago Spire has stopped.

[@joshuaturf]

@LoganMulti12 Could you link more information to me about this? That's sounds extremely exciting, but I can't find anything on Google about it. /:

[@UltimaZimfanatic]

Freedom Tower will be shorter (without the spire which doesn't count for it), and the sears tower is shorter. It will be second tallest in the western hemisphere (after the C Spire), and 3rd tallest in the world.

[@77drinker]

@LoganMulti12 Where did you here that my Philly friend ?

[@hop208]

Cool channel. I liked the future of New York video.

[@hop208]

Does anyone know when the official groundbreaking day is?

[@hop208]

The project is dead. They had the go ahead, but couldn't find an anchor tenant. The company that developed the Comcast Tower bought the property and canceled the project. I guess they didn't want to be outdone...

[@Constitusean]

beautiful

[@L0C85]

The music at the beginning sounds ominous as fuck. Sounded like the beginning of a serial killer horror flick. Fucking creepy.

[@hop208]

I'm kind of torn on that. Part of me wants those towers to go right back up where they were to give those terrorist a big middle finger from the US, but the other part of me thinks it might be to tramatic for those directly impacted by those events.

[@77drinker]

In the words of Dr. Leonard " Bones " Mckoy , " He's dead Jim " . lol

[@nickd4818]

anybody hear anything about any possible tenants?

[@77drinker]

It will get built . Trust me on that . They're just looking for a major tennant

[@Lincolndrive]

super sweet

[@1legomaster]

2:24 It looks like the Freedom tower.

[@1legomaster]

My info is from citydata.com. A very trustworthy site. It is on hold like I said because of the economy in a slump right now. The project will be resumed when money isn't so tight. Philly doesn't wan't to spend 25,000,000 dollars on a building right now that probably no one will rent out. It is just on a hold, the project is not dead.

[@UltimaZimfanatic]

Great looking building, but doesn't anybody feel it would look better if the spire was moved to the center? Where it is now it just looks kind of ugly. Still can't wait for this thing to be built, its about time america started building superstructures.

[@cesarisaias95]

That's great!!

[@maurapple]

Well as of right now it's just a parking lot. So comcast spent 40 million dollars to build a parking lot. hahah.

[@Halo3Tricksters222]

when will the build this beast. its supposed to be a hotel too!

[@chaossix6]

Wow, why do people from Philly always have to put down New York to feel good about themselves? No one here even THINKS about Philly.

[@philaeaglesfan]

is this thing 100% being built??

[@ymoblifegood]

Go Philadelphia we are better than NYC. Soon we will have 2.000 footer

[@1legomaster]

Wiki? Not very trustworthy.