Bridge – 205 Race addresses a critical issue faced by most cities in the United States. Located on the edge of Philadelphia’s Old City, where some of the country’s oldest urban fabric stands side by side with the Ben Franklin Bridge (an epitome of 20th-century industrial infrastructure), the project sits at a unique crossroads. As productive and recreational activities make a comeback to Philly’s waterfront and Center City, new development and changing demographics demand housing and commercial accommodations, reviving a preference for living downtown.

Although zoning allows for a building close to the bridge, it is not marketable for housing. The design stacks that portion of the building on top, away from the bridge. When rotated, it optimizes views of the city and the waterfront. A notch in the tower extends the street wall and preserves the view of the bridge. By reinterpreting and extending the façade rhythm and proportion of historic adjacent rowhouses, the four-story podium integrates with the neighborhood. The sculpted tower negotiates height, density, speed, and views of the Delaware River, becoming an architectural expression of its time, relating to the historic fabric of the street and the bridge.

The entire 5th floor is dedicated to residential amenity spaces, including an expansive 8,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with visual connections to the pedestrian promenade of the Ben Franklin Bridge and downtown Philly. From the street-level retail below, a mirrored soffit reflects views of the activity on the common roof terrace, inviting the city into the building.