Trump To Reveal Look Of His Phila. Condo Tower

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The 45-story building on the Delaware is to have 263 units. He hopes to break ground this summer.

By Suzette Parmley
Inquirer Staff Writer

May 04, 2006

Donald J. Trump will give the public a first look at his Trump Tower Philadelphia luxury condo tower tonight at an extravagant, star-studded party at the Union League.

He said the $300 million luxury condominium will be in the same league as his other towers being built in Las Vegas and Chicago and would "refine the city's impressive urban skyline."

"This is going to be a magnificent building," Trump said yesterday. "It will set a new standard and will be very successful."

The 45-story Trump Tower will have 263 luxury condos, ranging from one-bedroom units to three-bedroom duplex penthouses. The units will range in price from just over $700,000 to $3.5 million-plus each.

Trump will play host at his launch party tonight, with two of his children - Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. - at his side. Among the 700 invited guests is Patti LaBelle, who is expected to perform with fellow Philly Sound act the O'Jays. The rest will be what Trump's public relations machine described as "members of Philadelphia society, and arts, entertainment and sports personalities."

The star of the reality TV show The Apprentice will showcase the design and features of Trump Tower Philadelphia using a 10-foot scale model of the project and a multiscreen video presentation.

The description of the 528-foot Trump Tower would seem to live up to the word luxury. Residents will have access to a restaurant, wine cellar, cigar lounge, in-home dining and catering services, pet services, child-care services and a 10,000-square-foot health club and spa center with an indoor and outdoor heated pool.

Each unit would have ceilings that range from 10 feet to 16 feet in height. Hardwood floors, except for the limestone in the bathrooms. Doorman, concierge service and valet parking 24/7.

Add to that a river walkway and running track along the Delaware River, a putting green, a reflective pond and landscaped gardens, waterfalls, a sun deck and full-size tennis court.

"It's a great project for a great city," Trump said.

Trump has been talking up his affinity for the City of Brotherly Love for the last year. His casino company, Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., is one of five applicants for a gambling license to operate a slots parlor in the city. The $350 million TrumpStreet Casino & Entertainment Complex is proposed for East Falls.

Trump's casino project is the only one of the five that is not on the waterfront, and yesterday, he took a swipe at his rivals for a gambling license.

"I think the waterfront can develop itself because there's so much interest in it," he said. "Putting luxury housing there is easy, and you don't need gaming there."

Trump has portrayed his casino as a boon to an economically depressed neighborhood.

Last month, Gov. Rendell temporarily suspended the transfer of rights to the Delaware River bottom to developers. The move may have the effect of delaying some projects planned for the waterfront, but Trump said he did not think it would affect residential developments such as his.

Trump said he hoped to break ground on two-plus acres on the Delaware River at 709-17 North Penn St. this summer. Trump Tower is expected to open sometime in 2008.

"I would think it would impact gaming, but not housing developments," Trump said about the waterfront building moratorium. "The city wants housing."

But Robert Noshay has one burning issue for Trump. He said he bought a condo on the fifth floor of the Reef at Waterfront Square last year and was paying a premium for the southwest view.

"What will happen to my view, as well as others of the city and river, when Trump builds his 45-story building taller than all of the other buildings at Waterfront Square?" he asked.