Philadelphia’s Navy Yard Gets a Boost into 21st Century

Liberty Property Trust is giving Philadelphia‘s 214-year-old Navy Yard a jolt into the 21st century with a gravity-defying $35 million office building called 1200 Intrepid. The 94,000-square-foot, four-story structure, which was designed by global architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group, is targeting LEED gold certification. The building is Liberty’s fourteenth project in the 1.35 million-square-foot Navy Yard, where it is developing a mixed-use district. Although 1200 Intrepid has yet to secure tenants, it is set to open its doors in 2016.

The 94,000-square-foot, four-story structure just broke ground in the Navy Yard. The gravity defying, double curved design of the building mimics the circular nature of the new park at its doorstep, Central Green.

Central Green is a circular, five-acre park fronting the office block, designed by James Corner Field Operations – best known as the landscape architect behind the High Line Park in Manhattan.

The new park boasts circular plots occupied by a variety of trees and plants, pedestrian pathways, and a hammock grove. In addition, the park contains a running track, hammock grove, bocce courts, a fitness station, and a table tennis area. The space is designed to be sustainable, green and natural, as well as productive, collaborative and stimulating.

1200 Intrepid and Central Green are part of Pennsylvania’s plan to transform this segment of South Philly from an industrialized business campus to a multi-functional industrial space that will accommodate 11,000 employees working for companies ranging from the pharmaceutical industry to Urban Outfitters.

These two impressive additions to The Navy Yard kick off a new block of development in The Navy Yard, which has become a magnet location for business in Philadelphia.

Encompassing more than 1,200 acres, The Navy Yard is located in the southern part of Philadelphia. It opened in 1801 and served as an important naval hub during World War II. The site was decommissioned in 1996, and the land was acquired by the city in 2000.

In 2004, Robert AM Stern Architects, working with other design and real estate experts, was commissioned to produce a master plan for the site. The plan provides a series of initiatives and actions to create a vibrant mixed-use campus, centered on historic preservation, sustainability, and smart.

The plan's vision includes environmentally friendly workplaces, notable architecture, industrial development, great public spaces, waterfront amenities, improved mass transit and residential development.

The new building will help reach the Yard’s estimated goal of supporting up to $3 billion in private investments, 13.5 million square feet of development, and 30,000 people.

The Navy Yard is currently home to 120 companies with a total of 10,000 employees. The clothing company Urban Outfitters is headquartered there, while other tenants include a large bakery, two pharmaceutical companies, and an e-retailer that sells motorcycle gear.

This is the latest in a series of recent US commissions for Bjarke Ingels Group, following Two World Trade Center in New York and the new Google headquarters in California.

Although 1200 Intrepid has yet to secure tenants, it is set to open its doors in 2016.
 

ElectricWeb Expanding Coverage from Mid-Atlantic to Florida

TheElectricWeb.com Surpasses 3 Million Unique Visitors,13-Million Hits Milestones   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
NEW YORK, New York (July 1, 2015) – TheElectricWeb.com, the electrical contractor-focused, online information services company, has reached the major milestones of 3 million unique visitors and 13 million unique visitors.

On June 14, TheElectricWeb.com recorded its 13,000,000 page hit, followed shortly thereafter, on June 24 by its 3,000,000 unique visitor. TheElectricWeb.com offers electrical contractors a wide range of services: from filing permits and utility power requests online, to the latest electrical construction industry news and project reports. Electrical contractors rely upon TheElectricWeb.com to make better business decisions, and to optimize their internet usage. It has more than 16,000 registered users.

These significant milestones fall four years after the company launched its online information portal in June 2011. As the milestones tumble, ElectricWeb Communications is preparing for the debut of ElectricWeb-South and ElectricWeb-Atlantic, expanding its coverage area to the entire east coast.

A launch date for both operations is scheduled for September 1st.

TheElectricWeb has thrived because of its focus on practical matters: providing timely news about projects in development and helping electrical contractors to optimize their time online by consolidating internet resources into one, easy to navigate portal. ElectricWeb Communications president Peter Coyne says, “We’re thrilled to have surpassed the 13 million hits and 3,000,000 visitor marks. We have always believed in our electrical contractor-focused business model and, in an era where many businesses are scrabbling to find a model that works, it is exciting to be growing so fast. We believe the internet is opening up huge regional opportunities for businesses like ours: the growth in web-based marketing alone is immense.” 

More facts about TheElectricWeb.com
- TheElectricWeb.com generates more than 20,000 unique visits per week.
- It has published more than 980 articles, and has over 13,000 subscribers to its newsletter.
- Monthly traffic volume surpassed 400,000 (non-unique) hits, May 2015. 
- ElectricWeb | Newsletter has twenty-four corporate sponsors.
- ElectricWeb | Blogger – syndicated content has 29 RSS news feeds.
- ElectricWeb Communications was founded in 1998 by Peter Coyne, and was incorporated in 2000. 
- The company has offices in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia, employing a staff of twelve.
  
About ElectricWeb Communications, Inc.
Based in New York City, the ElectricWeb uniquely fills the need of thousands of electrical contracting firms by providing valuable information and resources that they can use immediately, saving them time and money. The ElectricWeb is a dynamic edition of the original ElectricWeb model created by Peter Coyne back in 1998. With more than 34 years in the electrical industry as a supplier, as well as a contractor, Mr. Coyne’s unique knowledge and reputation are both well known and respected in the NYC electrical industry.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  
Carol Coyne, Vice President
TheElectricWeb.com
Tel: 212.470.4537
press@theelectricweb.com

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Happy Independence Day!

Lutron Introduces Residential Advantage Contractor Program

Providing Contractors with Expert Training and Benefits to Help Grow Their Business

This exciting new program is designed exclusively for electrical contractors looking to take full advantage of the hottest trends in smart lighting and LED dimming. Whether it’s learning about how to stay on top of the connected home opportunity, minimizing the risk of callbacks with reliable LED controls, or providing customers with the convenience and energy savings of occupancy sensors – contractors will gain valuable information that will help them grow their businesses. 

By attending the free, two-hour RAC Training, contractors will receive all of the information and tools they need to meet the growing demand for energy-saving products and smart home solutions. Find a training near you.

“With this outstanding training program, Lutron is bringing the connected home opportunity directly to the contractor. Homeowners often turn to trusted, preferred professional installers for these types of solutions and we want to see our contractor network succeed in this growing space,” said Brian Donlon, Sales Vice President North America, at Lutron.

After attending a RAC training, contractors will automatically become members of the Lutron RAC Program and receive one year access to exclusive program benefits including:

1. Program logo and certificate
2. Exclusive promotions and specials
3. Business-building tips designed to increase sales
4. Full access to RAC tools and resources on a customized contractor portal

To learn more or locate a training event near you, visit our website or contact your Lutron representative.
 

Cooper Electric Acquires Ciro Electrical Supply Co.

Cooper Electric announced today that it has purchased Ciro Electrical Supply Co, an electrical distributor based in Philadelphia, PA. Founded in 1971, Ciro is a family-owned and operated business that has evolved into a full line stocking electrical distributor, currently in its second generation of ownership.

Ciro services a diverse customer base of small and medium customers in the Center City Philadelphia territory with an active, well-maintained counter.

Cooper is excited to welcome Ciro to the Cooper and Sonepar USA family. Ciro is a complementary fit to Cooper’s core business.

The acquisition reinforces Cooper’s strategy to create branch locations in areas that best serve the needs of its customers. Ciro’s staff of ten employees will join the Cooper team.

Mike Dudas, President of Cooper, said, “We welcome the employees of Ciro into the Cooper family and look forward to working with them to expand our presence in the Philadelphia region; we are excited to continue servicing its customers’ needs in the area.”

About Cooper Electric

Cooper Electric provides the New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania markets with expert electrical supply and service capabilities. Established in 1961 as a family-owned business, Cooper Electric, a Sonepar USA company, is a full-line, single source wholesaler of electrical supplies, with specialty departments.

Headquartered in Monroe, NJ, Cooper Electric has 29 locations and is supported by Distribution Centers throughout the tri-state area.

To learn more about Cooper Electric visit www.cooper-electric.com.

Headquarters:
1 Matrix Drive, Monroe NJ 07724
www.cooper-electric.com

For Information Contact:
Linda Maia-Lopes, Director of Marketing
Linda.Maia-Lopes@cooper-electric.com
732-945-1249 
 

Ground Breaking Date Set for One Riverside Project

In addition to its massive hotel/condo tower project across from the Kimmel Center, Dranoff Properties is also planning to construct a new 167,282-square-foot glass tower in Center City called One Riverside Place. The official groundbreaking date has been set for Wednesday, June 17th at 11:30am. The Philadelphia developer will build the 22-story residential structure on a parking lot at 25th Street between Locust and Manning streets in the Fitler Square neighborhood of the city.

The mixed-use tower, designed by Cecil Baker + Partners, will be built on a triangle-shaped parking at 210-20 South 25th Street, at the intersection of 5th and Locust Streets.

One Riverside Place will include 167 luxury apartments on 18 levels with retail and amenity space such as a fitness center, game room and club room, along with a cafe on the ground floor.

The project will also include 14,000 square feet of landscaped terrace, which will be built over a parking podium with 81 parking spaces and 49 spaces for bicycle storage.

One Riverside would front the Schuylkill River Trail. Apartments would occupy floors 3 through 20 and the top floor would have three penthouse units. The new tower would sit near Locust on the Park, another one of Dranoff’s developments.

After weeks of debates, the Civic Design Review board of Philadelphia unanimously green lighted the project late last year.

Designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, One Riverside Place will feature several green amenities that will make it a sustainable addition to the Fitler Square neighborhood.

The tower will be built from recycled and locally produced materials, which is expected to reduce energy consumption and water use by 20 percent.

A green deck above the parking garage and new plants and trees at sidewalk level will improve the quality of air. The area is presently zoned for industrial use.

In order to maximize natural daylight and reduce the need for artificial light, each residential unit will feature floor-to-ceiling windows.

 

 

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 17th at 11:30am at the One Riverside Sales & Design Center at 225 South 25th Street.
 

$660M Renaissance Plaza Project on Delaware River

A massive 2.5 million square foot development project is being planned for a vacant, 5.3-acre site along the Delaware River waterfront. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission approved Waterfront Renaissance Associates’ $660 million plan to build Renaissance Plaza at the corner of Callowhill Street and Columbus Boulevard. Construction of four mixed-use towers is expected to kick off in early 2016 and will be divided into four phases, with one tower completed in each development stage.  

Combined, the four glass and metal high-rises will comprise 1,411 market-rate apartments and 70,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

The complex will also include two sport centers, several bars and restaurants and an enclosed parking garage with 500 spaces.

Renaissance Plaza is being developed by Waterfront Renaissance Associates, along with its affiliate Carl Marks & Co., the New York investment firm that pieced together four tracts that make up the plot about three decades ago.

The $660 million development will consist of four buildings that range in height from 21 to 31 stories. The tallest tower will reach 240 feet into the sky, a significant change from the original proposed height of 480 feet. The project will also include a green roof, and will seek LEED Gold Status

Building the first phase would take about 16 months, with each phase of development comprising about 360 apartments. Plans also include 16 townhouses, nearly 70,000 square feet of retail space, and 653 parking spaces along with more than an acre of landscaped public plazas.

A swath of landscaped public space would run through the property, which the developer believes will draw people from the neighborhoods through the property, and down to the river.  Some roofs would offer additional green space.

Since the complex will be built on the west side of Delaware Avenue, not the river side, the developer will pay for a crossing signal to get people to the river itself, and will make improvements between the project and the Spring Garden transit stop.

Soil conditions at the site require piles to support the buildings - 700 are required. They will be drilled, not driven, because of sewer infrastructure.

The project is within the area covered by the newly adopted Central Delaware Overlay, which sets a height limit of 100 feet, but allows developers to earn height bonuses up by providing public amenities.

A developer who maxed out the public amenities – which include building a section of waterfront trail, building to LEED environmental standards, making transit improvement and providing public green space – can build up to 244 feet.

The site along the Delaware River waterfront had many bold ambitions that never came to fruition.

The site had been known for the last 15 years as the future address of the Greater Philadelphia World Trade Center.

That development would have entailed more than 3 million square feet of space consisting of a residential tower and three office buildings, parking for more than 2,000 vehicles and 118,000 square feet of retail space. That never happened.

Last fall, Waterfront Renaissance Associates, made a leap across the river and decided it would move the Greater Philadelphia World Trade Center project to Camden, New Jersey, where the developer has proposed building a 2.3-million-square-foot campus on 16 acres at the former Riverfront State Prison.