DAS Architects explains how The Philadelphia Hyatt Centric was designed to compliment the neighborhood by adding a balanced, modern Edge to the historic community.
“The building appears to change shape as you approach it,” explains David Schultz, founder of DAS Architects, the Architect for the new Hyatt Centric Philadelphia. “The faceted façade appears to unfold as you approach the Hotel. It changes with light and perspective so that it appears to evolve as you move towards it. We were asked to create a design that would attract urban travelers that also fit the site’s unique architectural context, so we created something that would literally reflect and compliment the surrounding buildings.”
The 13-story luxury hotel opened its doors on October 1st at 17th and Chancellor, a block from Rittenhouse Square and in the center of upscale shops and restaurants. Extending 250’ along Chancellor Street and only 60’ wide, the 235,000-sf Hotel features street-level retail and a restaurant/bar on the 2nd floor. In addition to 332 guest rooms, 40 executive suites will serve business travelers. Guests will enjoy high-end amenities including a fitness center, event and meeting facilities, and contemporary lounges. Below-grade parking, complete with automated elevators, includes spaces for 220 cars and kiosks for locking 32 bicycles.
“We are developing Hyatt Centric Hotels in thriving cities throughout the world,” says Patrick McCudden, Senior Vice President for Capital Strategy and Corporate Development for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “Each boutique hotel is unique to its location in culture and design. This project will be ideal for millennial-minded travelers who want to be in the middle of the action, but don’t wish to sacrifice that upscale experience.”
“We used the narrow site to our advantage,” says Schultz. “The primary corner of the hotel was sculpted to appear as though the faceted façade is being pulled open to welcome you. Using a mix of glass, metal and high-performance concrete panels, to showcase the brick elements as a compliment to the surrounding historic buildings. The building is completely modern, with eco-conscious and sustainable materials used throughout to target LEED Gold, but with a design that exists in harmony within the context of this historic neighborhood.”
Designing a building to fit into the confines of a condensed urban environment can be challenging but the rooms feel surprisingly spacious due to floor to ceiling glass in all the rooms. The views extend from the center city skyline to the stadiums to the South. A rooftop garden terrace at the second floor serves as a canopy over the soft, rounded corner that beckons you down Chancellor Street to the Hotel’s main entrance.
The hotel was constructed by Clemens Construction. Clemens has worked collaboratively with the owner and DAS in the planning and execution of this complex, urban infill project.
The project team includes DAS Architects – architecture and interior design; Becker & Frondorf – project management; Crème – interior design; The Harman Group / WZG – structural engineering; Bala Engineers / JFK&M – mep/fp/it/s engineering; Bohler Engineers – civil engineering; Metropolitan Acoustics / KMP– audio visual /acoustical design. Timothy Haahs – parking; The Lighting Practice – lighting design; The Design Difference – kitchen design.
Team Biographies
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company’s subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties, including under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt CentricTM, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Zilara™, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Residences® and Hyatt Residence Club® brand names and have locations on six continents.
DAS Architects
DAS Architects is a nationally-recognized design firm that specializes in hospitality, retail and residential projects. The hospitality-driven concept of creating the ultimate guest experience informs all of the firm’s work, which includes more than three hundred signature restaurants, hotels, resorts, shops, luxury multifamily apartments and custom homes from Maine to Florida. Studio DAS is an affiliate company that finds and creates unique finishes and custom furnishings for clients. Founded in 1990, DAS Architects is based in Philadelphia with a staff of twenty architects and interior designers.
Clemens Construction Company, Inc.
Clemens is a general contractor and construction manager specializing in complex projects for the hospitality, multifamily, higher education, and commercial markets. Founded in 1979, Clemens is a privately held company that has become one of the leading general construction and construction management firms in the Philadelphia area. The company is dedicated to going above and beyond expectations for their clients.
Becker & Frondorf
Becker & Frondorf provides comprehensive Project Management services as the Owner’s Representative and independent Cost Estimating for design and construction projects. Founded in 1998, the firm has served as Owners Representative in 20 states and provided Cost Estimates for Clients in 40 states, Central America, Europe, and Asia. As Owner’s Representatives, Becker & Frondorf provides the essential leadership to manage projects for organizations that do not have the in-house staff to do so. They are a team of industry veterans from a diverse array of professional backgrounds including architecture, construction, urban planning, and civil engineering.
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