Philadelphia has belabored for all too long under its reputation as a second-class city. Poverty, economic deterioration, abandonment and crime have overshadowed our history and size. A proposed 1,500-foot skyscraper, termed the American Commerce Center could change all that.
As superficial as it may seem, skyscrapers lend legitimacy to downtown areas. They are not mere buildings, [...]

The announcement of the 1,500-foot American Commerce Center is just part of a construction boom that has moved despite fears of recession.

Plans for the American Commerce Center at 18th and Arch Streets in Center City would make it the tallest building in Philadelphia, perhaps as soon as 2012.
The widely-cited news was first reported yesterday by the development blog PhillySkyline.com.
Walnut Street Capital bought the mixed-use lot at 1800 Arch Street in October. Since then the group hired [...]