The Atlantic

The Atlantic project received a 2021 Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia Special Recognition Award. The Atlantic was awarded the Economic Impact Award for the efforts that went into preserving this building and the economic benefits to the city of Philadelphia.

The Atlantic is a 22-story Beaux Arts style building that is the former headquarters of the Atlantic-Richfield Oil Company. The iconic building was designed by Joseph F. Kuntz and is one of the most recognizable high-rises along the famous Avenue of the Arts on Broad Street in Philadelphia. Time had taken its toll on both the interior and exterior of the building, and its functionality had become outdated. In desperate need of renovation and repurposing, PZS Architects was hired as Architect of Record to further the vision of Design Architect Rafael Viñoly and renovate the interior into luxury apartments befitting of the building’s prominent location. The newly re-purposed 263,000 square foot building now includes 258 residential units, 10,000 square feet of first floor commercial space, and a 12,000 square-foot tenant amenities floor. In addition, we restored the exterior facade and redesigned the exterior rooftop spaces for luxury amenities including an infinity pool, spa, outdoor terrace, and a rooftop dog park. Additional amenity spaces on the lower level include a fitness facility, dry saunas, recovery treatment rooms, and a children’s playroom.

The ceiling heights range between nine and fourteen feet, providing a spectacular sense of scale to the individual units and allow plenty of natural light into the residences. Two finish-palette options are available for each apartment which provide either a classic color and material feel, or a more modern theme with cooler tones and sleek contemporary lines in the finishes and materials. Within the residential units, sophisticated means of climate control and responsibly sourced materials contributed significantly to the LEED Gold certification the building was awarded for innovative sustainable design. Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwood flooring, locally made cabinetry, and electricity generated entirely by wind are just a few of the elements that make The Atlantic one of the most sustainable renovation projects to open in recent memory in Philadelphia. PZS worked with the project team and the team of sustainability partners throughout all phases of design to achieve LEED Gold certification and to reduce the building’s carbon footprint to almost zero.