Comcast Building
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| Name | Comcast Building |
| Caption | The Comcast Building in Philadelphia |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Coordinates | 39, 57, 17, N... |
| Start date | 2005 |
| Completion date | 2008 |
| Opening date | 2008 |
| Height | 975 ft |
| Floor count | 60 |
| Floor area | 1,566,000 sqft |
| Architect | Robert A.M. Stern |
| Structural engineer | Thornton Tomasetti |
| Main contractor | L.F. Driscoll Co. |
| Developer | Liberty Property Trust |
| Owner | Comcast |
Comcast Building, officially known as Comcast Center, is a supertall skyscraper in Center City, Philadelphia. Completed in 2008, it became the tallest building in Pennsylvania and a defining feature of the Philadelphia skyline. The tower serves as the global headquarters for the telecommunications conglomerate Comcast and is noted for its innovative design and sustainable features.
History
The project was initiated by developer Liberty Property Trust in the early 2000s as part of a broader revitalization of Philadelphia's commercial core. Construction began in 2005 on the site of the former Wyndham Philadelphia Hotel, with L.F. Driscoll Co. serving as the general contractor. Its completion in 2008 coincided with the Great Recession, yet it succeeded in attracting major anchor tenants. The building's prominence was further cemented when it was surpassed in height only by the later construction of the Comcast Technology Center in the same city. The tower's development was a significant chapter in the architectural history of Philadelphia, following landmarks like City Hall and the One Liberty Place.
Architecture and design
Designed by architect Robert A.M. Stern in the Modernist style, the structure features a sleek, tapered form clad in glass and stainless steel. The design by Stern's firm, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, incorporates numerous sustainable elements, earning it a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Key features include a double-skin curtain wall for energy efficiency and a sophisticated underfloor air distribution system. The building's crown is illuminated at night, contributing to the city's nighttime profile. The lobby is renowned for its massive, high-definition video wall, known as the Comcast Experience, and features a commissioned artwork by Jenny Holzer.
Tenants and facilities
The primary tenant is its namesake, Comcast, which occupies approximately 80% of the office space for its corporate headquarters. Other notable tenants have included the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and the investment company ARP Capital Management. The building contains extensive conference facilities, a full-service health club, and multiple dining options, including a ground-floor restaurant by chef Jose Garces. The skyscraper is directly connected to the Suburban Station transit hub, facilitating access to SEPTA regional rail lines and the PATCO Speedline. Its observation deck was a public attraction until the opening of the higher One Liberty Observation Deck.
In popular culture
The distinctive tower has featured prominently as a backdrop in several films and television series set in Philadelphia. It appears in the superhero film *Glass* and has been used in establishing shots for the television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The building's lobby and its video wall were showcased in a segment of the BBC documentary series The Secret Life of Buildings. Its modern aesthetic frequently symbolizes corporate power and the contemporary urban landscape of Philadelphia in visual media.
See also
* List of tallest buildings in Philadelphia * Comcast Technology Center * Liberty Place * Skyscrapers in the United States * Robert A.M. Stern
Category:Skyscrapers in Philadelphia Category:Comcast Category:Office buildings completed in 2008