Readers often ask us where we get all our scoops for Naked Philly. There’s no single answer- we closely follow the zoning calendar, we attend various neighborhood meetings, we’re on dozens of listservs, we drive around town and look for construction, we have sources in the real estate industry, we get info from other publications, and neighbors send us tips. But sometimes, a scoop is as easy as a press release showing up in our inbox. And that’s how we’re able to tell you today that the third and final Cira Centre tower will be breaking ground next year.

Just a few days ago, we checked in on the Chestnut Street side of Cira Centre South, and told you that the building is about a third of the way up. At that time, we showed you a rendering of the future Chestnut Street building accompanied by a ghostly image of the Walnut Street building. Well, dream no more folks, the ghost building will soon be a real live building!

Start singing Unchained Melody

The press release, which came from Simon PR, announced that chemical company FMC Corporation has signed a sixteen-year lease for 253K sqft of office space with developer Brandywine Realty Trust in a building that, when constructed, will be the sixth tallest building in Philadelphia at 47 stories. The building, which will be known as FMC Tower at Cira Centre South, will have 575K sqft of office space, 10,000 sqft of retail space, and 260 rental apartment suites. Penn has already agreed to lease 100K sqft of additional office space, meaning the building is already 61% leased. Like the other Cira towers, the architecture is being done by Pelli Clark Pelli and BLT Architects.

Building rendering

The building will be LEED Silver certified and will have a host of amenities. Residents will be able to take advantage of an aquatic center, a fitness room, a conference center, and excellent access to public transportation. For those who prefer cars, there will be a parking garage with over 1,600 parking spaces. On top of the garage, Cira Green will be built by the end of 2014. This one-acre green space will be connected to the tower by a skybridge, and will host outdoor events in this park in the sky.

Plans for the two southern Cira towers have been on the boards for years, and there was a time that we were skeptical that they would ever get built. Needless to say, it’s extremely exciting to see the first tower under construction and to hear that second one won’t be far behind. Look for construction to get underway in the middle of next year, and for completion in the middle of 2016.