The Laurel
The Laurel is a 583,000-square-foot mixed-use and dual-branded residential tower located on Philadelphia’s iconic Rittenhouse Square. The building features 66 condominium units, known as The Laurel, 184 luxury apartments, known as 1909 Rittenhouse, and 44,000 square feet of ground-floor retail fronting Walnut, Sansom, and 20th streets.
Located on the last undeveloped parcel on Rittenhouse Square, SCB’s design for the project responds to its historic and urban surroundings. The stone-clad entry pavilion respects the historic street wall through its contextual materiality and rhythmic articulation, while the 48-story stepped glass and metal panel tower provides a modern complement to the pre-war architecture of the area. The building is crowned with a glass-encased structural frame that is illuminated in the evening.
The Laurel sets a new standard for urban luxury living in Philadelphia. The mixed-use nature of the project required the design team to develop two unique residential experiences and amenity programs: one for condo owners and one for apartment residents. Two distinct entry lobbies elegantly welcome residents home. In the condo lobby, a beautiful composition of materials including Café Bruno marble floors, softly curving and stained rift-cut White Oak paneling, brass detailing, Calacatta marble accent walls, and a bespoke lighting element with custom cast glass blades and a mica flake ceiling treatment. Above, the condo amenity deck, located on the 26th floor, is a peaceful retreat from the city below.
Amenity offerings focused on wellness include an indoor pool, fitness center, and yoga studios. A large bar and lounge open to a terrace overlooking Rittenhouse Square. Rich in materiality and luxurious detail, the lounge is a warm and inviting space with bookend Grey Wood marble walls, custom brass-colored screening features, a herringbone patterned wood ceiling, soft furnishings, and antiqued globe chandeliers. On the third floor, the amenity program for apartment residents engages with the spirit and energy of the city with geometric patterns, dynamic forms, and an eclectic mix of materials and furnishings. Amenities include a game room with demonstration kitchen/bar, library and music room, fitness club, and an outdoor pool and dining terrace.
