Groundbreaking for FMC Tower Scheduled for Wednesday

PHILADELPHIA—The official groundbreaking for the $385-million FMC tower building on Market Street here is scheduled for Wednesday.

The developer Brandywine Realty Trust will commence construction on the 49-story office project at 30th and Walnut streets that will serve as the anchor for its Cira Centre South development. Completion of the high-rise building that will be topped with FMC's brand signage is scheduled for completion in mid-2016. At that time, FMC will relocate operations involving 545 workers from 1745 Market St, according to the Inquirer.

FMC is leasing approximately 60% of the 861,000-square-foot building. In total, there will be 622,000 square feet of office space. The University of Pennsylvania has committed to an additional 100,000 square feet at the property. Other components include 268 residential units, 10,000 square feet of retail, a fitness center and swimming pool.

Cira Centre South follows the Cira Centre, a 29-story office tower Brandywine completed in 2006 across the street from Amtrak's 30th Street Station. Evo, a 33-story student-housing property being built at the north end of the block is expected to open in September. Between Cira Centre and Cira Centre South is a 1,600-car garage

"This will have a wonderful ripple effect,” on the West Philadelphia section of the city says Brandywine CEO Jerry Sweeney. "It represents a very exciting step in the evolution of that part of the city." See story in the Inquirer.