The Laurel/1909 Rittenhouse is a new mixed-use project tucked carefully into the heart of the densely developed, historic, and upscale Philadelphia neighborhood of Rittenhouse Square. The Laurel name refers to the 65-unit condominium community (floors 27-48); and 1909 Rittenhouse is the 184-unit apartment community (floors 3-25). The project is the tallest residential building in the City of Philadelphia.

SCB was inspired by Rittenhouse Square for being a state of mind as much as it is a place: an emotive recall of the past and reflection of the present ― embodying the culture of the city and neighborhood simultaneously. The beauty and cultural significance of Rittenhouse is defined by no single characteristic ― it is a series of urban gestures. The cobblestones, fountain, wide sidewalks, tree canopy, church steeples, rowhouse stoops, and masonry- and stone-lined narrow streets all reflect the neighborhood’s authentic spirit. The project is both sensitive and architecturally generative ― a welcome and significant addition.

In its appeal to emotion and culture, the design framework centers on shared experiences, massing, proportion, and materiality.

Along Walnut Street, an elegant base echoes the rhythms and stone of the neighboring rowhouses. The condominium entrance is marked by a prominent entry, with a regal iron-and-glass canopy evoking the Parisian Metro. Since a Walnut Street address is synonymous with prestige, the apartment residents also benefit from a distinct entry. Both public-facing entries, along with the building’s terraces, offer residents the replete Rittenhouse Square experience. Ample visual connections to the Square are woven throughout interior amenity areas on levels 4 and 27, as well as units’ private outdoor terraces.

The massing and articulation of the Walnut-facing tower has a traditional stone podium façade that relates to adjacent historic rowhouses. The tower then setbacks twice and culminates in a sculpted crown that integrates artful evening and celebratory skyline lighting. The building crown is not only decorative feature, but an artful reference to Philadelphia’s tradition of unique building tops, signage, and lighting.

Southern Land and SCB undertook a particularly complex urban real-estate and design program. The project represents robust engagement with the City, the community, and achieves a successful design that heralds a new era for luxury living in Philadelphia.

Early plans for The Laurel/1909 Rittenhouse included studies of how to best reinvigorate Sansom Street; and whether three historic, neglected structures could be salvaged. The Warwick Apartments (built 1901) and the Rittenhouse Coffee Shop (built in 1855) were restored. The Warwick was repurposed as affordable housing, with the smaller Rittenhouse Coffee Shop now serving as its lobby and accessible entry. The repositioning of the buildings has preserved the architectural language of the street and provided much-needed affordable residences. The now-revitalized and rebranded “Ronan Flats” is an income-restricted property operated by SLC.

The project is highly resilient, designed for the effects of climate change, while prioritizing sustainability through efficient systems. The design focuses on comfort for residents, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of the building.

The Laurel/1909 Rittenhouse is located among some of the most beautiful testaments to Philadelphia’s architectural evolution and societal shifts over three centuries. Rittenhouse Square is a veritable showcase of design by Philadelphia’s most sophisticated and talented architects from the 1830s to the present. It is one of the five originally planned civic squares in William Penn’s 17th Century urban plan for Philadelphia.

The Laurel’s immediate neighborhood is lauded for its social unity and is called “the only continuously successful fashionable urban neighborhood in the city’s history” by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The buildings alongside The Laurel/1909 Rittenhouse reflect both the many chapters of the city’s history, and actively contribute to a thriving urban community of our time. In a sweeping glance, one can see the history of Philadelphia in this famed Square. The project site was the only vacant parcel remaining in this renowned neighborhood. Following the demolition of a fire-damaged cinema in the early 1990s, the parcel became the object of heavy speculation and countless development proposals.

The Laurel occupies a modest portion of the streetscape (105’ wide) and is comprised of seven parcels that front four streets, and, with their assembly, create a contiguous L-shaped site. The overall project development was achieved through Philadelphia’s Unity of Use principle (allowing multiple properties to be reviewed as one site, combining the available FAR between the parcels). Along with the complexity of the site assemblies, the project consists of a dynamic mix of uses including rental units, condominiums, and retail.

Project Partners:

• Owner/Developer/Landscape Architect – Southern Land Company
• Architect – SCB
• Structural Engineer – IMEG
• MEP Engineer/Fire Protection – Bala Consulting Engineers
• Civil Engineer – Stantec
• Interior Designer – Faulkner Design Group
• Pool Consultant – STO Design Group
• Contractor – Hunter Roberts Construction Group