Modern Hotel Design Planned for Avenue of the Arts at Locust Street

Another upscale and modern hotel is planned at the intersection of Broad and Locust Streets, a block from the soon-to-be-built ultra-luxury SLS International Hotel and Condominiums and two blocks from the planned new Hyde Hotel at Broad and Pine Streets. This new hotel will be known as the Cambria Hotel Philadelphia, and it will be the national flagship for a new urban brand of the moderately upscale hotel brand. The Cambria Philadelphia will be developed by Pearl Properties and designed by DAS Architects. It is replacing the large parking garage, which is being torn down on Broad Street, and would be connected to the two story building that formerly housed Sotto Varalli.

The Cambria Philadelphia will be 14 stories tall and have 222 rooms. The first floor will have part of the hotel lobby and a large retail space at the corner, which will probably have a restaurant, and the rest of the lobby and a lounge/bar and meeting space will be on the second floor. The third floor will have a pool, a fitness center, and a terrace and green roof overlooking Broad and Locust Streets. The billboard currently on that roof top will remain for now, as the owners have sued to keep it there and the case is currently in litigation.

The façade of the hotel is very modern, with a concave front set back above the first couple of floors. The windows would be articulated into two combined in sets surrounded by metal trim, and with large picture windows on the corners for the premier suites. The north side would have dark brick and an alcoved open atrium, as well as, the elevator lobby, which will be glass to allow for a clear elevator with Broad Street views. The former two-story Sotto Varalli building will be renovated to conform to the modern design with similar dark brick and large windows.

Ground is set to be broken on the new Cambria Hotel Philadelphia officially this June 8 and the hotel should open up sometime next year.

By, Gabriel Gottlieb