It’s going to be a big year for Philadelphia – and for The Lighting Practice! In 2018, the City of Brotherly Love will see the opening of several exciting public spaces, from retail centers to re-imagined parks, new trails, skyscrapers, and much more.
Curbed Philadelphia recently gathered some of the most exciting ribbon cuttings to look forward to, several of which we at TLP have been hard at work to complete. Below are our projects that received a shout-out in the article.
LOVE Park
LOVE Park has been under construction for a few years, but the wait will be worth it! The official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the renovated park is slated for spring 2018. As Curbed puts it: “While we were offered a sneak peek of the new-and-improved LOVE Park during the Christmas Village in December 2017, rest assured we haven’t seen nothing yet.”
TLP was tasked with illuminating the re-envisioned LOVE Park. The integrated landscape and hardscape lighting plan will visually connect LOVE Park to other major Philly icons such as City Hall, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The lighting system will also create a beautiful and safe nighttime experience for visitors.
East Market
The 650,000 square-foot redevelopment of East Market, located on an entire city block on Market Street east of Broad, will open its two towers this year and welcome big-name retailers, restaurants, and luxury apartments.
East Market includes a new 17-story residential tower and an adaptive re-use of an eight-story former department store. The also project involved the restoration of the historic 13-story Stephen Girard office building and the conversion of forgotten alleyways into retail streets. TLP provided interior and exterior lighting design for all the common areas and residential spaces of East Market, including a streetscape with the integration of LED lighting sources into landscape/hardscape and signage details.
SEPTA
Curbed is psyched about it (and we are too): SEPTA is officially phasing out its token system. But that’s not the only change Philly will start to see with the rail system. Over the next few years, SEPTA will be making significant upgrades to the underground pedestrian tunnel network that connects major transit stations beneath Center City Philadelphia. The multi-phase project will provide walkable connections for commuters and retail space for local shops and restaurants.
TLP developed a lighting design that promotes safety and visibility, highlights relocated murals, and positively enhances the city’s visitor and commuter experience. Construction is expected to be completed in 2020.
The Rail Park
The first phase of Rail Park will open in spring 2018. Ten years in the making, many neighborhood organizations, local businesses, and residents contributed to this project and are anticipating its opening. This quarter-mile public trail will run along the abandoned Reading Viaduct, a former pedestrian and freight train line. TLP designed a lighting system that illuminates the landscape to provide safety and beauty without disrupting evening views of the city.
10 things for Philly to look forward to in 2018
Curbed Philadelphia | Melissa Romero | January 2018
The end of the holiday season can be a real bummer. But it’s a new year, Philly, and with that comes plenty of exciting and game-changing things to look forward to in 2018.
There’s an onslaught of new towers making their debut along Philly’s skyline. A good chunk of new and improved parks and trails will bring more green space to the city. And a bunch of beloved buildings will open their doors once again, earning a second lease on life.
So bid a final adieu to 2017, Philly, because things are looking up in 2018. Here are 10 things to look forward to in the City of Brotherly Love over the next 12 months.
Read the full article in Curbed Philadelphia.
