Preserving history, embracing the future: Major Delaware Riverfront project underway

A new mixed-use development, built by New York City developer The Durst Organization, is going up over the site of a historic shipyard at Vine Street and Columbus Boulevard.
A new mixed-use development, built by New York City developer The Durst Organization, is going up over the site of a historic shipyard at Vine Street and Columbus Boulevard. Photo credit Handel Architects

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 26-story multi-use building on the Delaware Riverfront, just north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, is now under construction. The history of that neighborhood is playing a major part in the building’s design.

The project is a stone’s throw away from the riverbank’s original granite steps, the Wood Street Steps, commissioned by William Penn in the early 1700s to allow public access to the river. This modern-day project wants to do that, too.

Built by New York City developer The Durst Organization, the mixed residential/retail project is going up over the site of a historic shipyard. Artifacts uncovered from the ruins date back to the 17th century and are being preserved.

Vine Street Archaeological Investigation Information by Kristina Koppeser on Scribd

Matt Dunphy, who lives in the neighborhood, says he was impressed that Durst has taken the time to listen to residents’ concerns since the developer purchased the lot from the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation in 2020.

“It is a historic neighborhood. There is no original riverfront fabric except for here, so that engagement has made all the difference, I think,” said Dunphy.

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“And as we gave feedback, they did a very great job of adjusting their designs to make it a little more friendly on the residential side, make it more accessible on the riverfront side, and just being engaged with the history. It is a historic neighborhood.”

One of those adjustments was to prevent the building from obscuring the historic Wood Street Steps.

The project is a stone’s throw away from the riverbank’s original granite steps, the Wood Street Steps, commissioned by William Penn in the early 1700s to allow public access to the river.
The project is a stone’s throw away from the riverbank’s original granite steps, the Wood Street Steps, commissioned by William Penn in the early 1700s to allow public access to the river. Photo credit John McDevitt/KYW Newsradio

Chief Development Officer Alexander Durst, who is leading the project, says it has been important to recognize the neighborhood’s unique history while also embracing its economic future.

“We are very proud of the public improvements, including a new park, improved connections between the historic Wood Street Steps and the Delaware River Trail — all while preserving a key archeological site and undergoing a collection in analysis on a trove of data on Philadelphia’s shipbuilding and waterfront history,” Durst said.

The project is expected to be completed in three years.

The developer is also contributing $1.46 million to the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund, which provides affordable housing opportunities to those who qualify.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The amount of the contribution to the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund has changed since publication. The figure is now $1.46 million.

And a previous version of this story made mention of The Piers at Penn's Landing, which is a separate Durst development project unrelated to the project at Vine Street and Columbus Boulevard.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Handel Architects