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14 Best Hotels in Philadelphia Conde Nast Traveler Online
Checking in on FMC Tower, Chop Tower, and One Riverside on the Schuylkill Curbed Philadelphia

The FMC Tower broke ground in June 2014 and has touted itself as the city's first vertical neighborhood. Developed by Brandywine Realty Trust, the same folks behind the EVO building and Cira Centre next door, and designed by Pelli Clark Pelli Architects, the tower will include office space, retail, and AKA residences on the top levels. AKA University City announced earlier this summer that it will open its extended-stay and luxury apartments this fall.

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N.Y. Michelin star team to open restaurant at Cira Centre South Philadelphia Business Journal

The FMC Tower at Cira Centre South will get some Michelin star flair next year.

The trio behind New York's Michelin-star, French restaurant Rebelle — Branden McRill, sommelier Patrick Cappiello and Chef Daniel Eddy — are joining forces with baker Melissa Weller for a new restaurant project at the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South, an upcoming, $341 million mixed-use development in University City by Brandywine Realty Trust that will open in early 2017.

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NYC's Michelin-Starred Rebelle Crew Opening in University City Eater Philadelphia

The folks behind New York City's Michelin-starred restaurant, Rebelle, are planning a destination restaurant for the ground floor of Brandywine Realty Trust's FMC Tower, "Philadelphia's first vertical neighborhood" at Cira Centre South.

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Michelin-Starred Team Is Opening Restaurant in University City Philadelphia Foobooz

The team behind New York’s Michelin-starred Rebelle is opening a restaurant in University City's FMC Tower at Cira Centre South. The restaurant, which will be at the base of the mixed-use tower at 30th and Walnut is expected to open in early 2017. The tower is also home to AKA University City, a mix of luxury hotel rooms and apartment residences occupying the upper floors of the tower.

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Hard Hat Tour: AKA University City BizPhilly

Those of you of a certain age may recall the TV ads for KormanSuites, "when just an apartment just isn’t enough." The apartments the Korman family offered under that brand came with extra services and amenities — including furniture if you wanted it — and something other apartments at the time didn’t offer at all, which were leases of less than a year’s duration.

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Major Hotel Projects in Philadelphia to Watch Curbed Philadelphia

Joining Cira Centre South will be AKA University City, a mix of hotel and apartment residences on the upper 18th floors of building. There will be 268 rooms, as well as a lap pool, fitness center, outdoor terrace, and a private screening room. It's scheduled to this summer 2016.

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The FMC Tower will be Chock Full of 268 AKA Residences Curbed Philadelphia

It seems like all of the talk around Philadelphia recently has revolved around big buildings and hotels. AKA, the luxurious extended stay brand with an outpost in Rittenhouse Square, has announced that they will be opening a second location at the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South. The 49-story tower, which will rise some 690 feet above the ground, will house 268 luxury units and extended stay executive suites. The initial release mentioned that the residences would be managed by Korman Communities. However, this is the first time we're hearing AKA's brand name associated with the property. But that's not all.

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Philadelphia's First Vertical Neighborhood Partners with Internationally-Renowed Design Architect MultifamilyBiz.com

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AKA, the innovative global brand of luxury serviced residences, announced its partnership with internationally renowned Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni. This dynamic collaboration comes as a part of Philadelphia's most anticipated new project, AKA University City located at 30th and Walnut.

Rising above the Philadelphia skyline, the residences at AKA University City lie at the heart of Cira Centre South—Brandywine Realty Trust's groundbreaking 830,000 square foot mixed-use building and Philadelphia's first vertical neighborhood.

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Philadlephia's First Elevated Park Now Open at Cira Centre South Uwishunu Philadelphia

Philadelphia, a new park in University City just raised the bar for urban open spaces in this city.

Now open at Cira Centre South, the brand-new Cira Green claims the title of Philadelphia's first overhead public park.

Situated 95 feet above street level, this 1.25-acre urban park sits atop a parking garage in between Evo, a 33-story residential building, and the FMC Tower, a 47-story mixed-use building where the new AKA University City will open in summer 2016.

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AKA University City announces internationally-renowned design partner Piero Lissoni; ultra-luxury residences opening Fall 2016

Philadelphia-based global luxury real estate brand partners with internationally renowned Italian architect and designer for Philadelphia's first vertical neighborhood

PHILADELPHIA (January 19, 2016) – AKA, the innovative global brand of luxury serviced residences, today announced its partnership with internationally renowned Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni. This dynamic collaboration comes as a part of Philadelphia's most anticipated new project, AKA University City located at 30th and Walnut.

Rising above the Philadelphia skyline, the residences at AKA University City lie at the heart of Cira Centre South—Brandywine Realty Trust's groundbreaking 830,000 square foot mixed-use building and Philadelphia's first vertical neighborhood. The upper 19 stories of the tower will feature brand new ultra-luxury residential offerings ranging from hotel suites to apartment residences along with Level 28, an entire floor dedicated to wellness, as well as lifestyle-enhancing amenities and services. Piero Lissoni Associati's interior design for AKA University City will seamlessly complement the building's architectural vision, imagined and executed by architectural firms Pelli Clarke Pelli and BLTa.

"Piero Lissoni is undoubtedly the ideal design partner for this world-class project. Lissoni's distinct minimalistic approach and mastery of proportion is harmonious with the AKA brand's architecture and design philosophy that translates throughout all of our accommodations around the globe. Lissoni is celebrated around the world for never designing for a specific function or purpose, but for his ability to design for human beings," said Larry Korman, President of AKA.

In a forward-thinking approach to engaging different tastes and preferences, the furnished residences at AKA University City will maintain a unified style, though each residence will vary slightly – evoking different moods and emotion. With daily, weekly and monthly offerings – the variations allow AKA guests the opportunity for personalization and the experience to choose their own space that feels most like "home." Variations will range from furniture pieces to the small but distinct details of the upholstery and fabrics.

A streamlined sensibility of timeless elegance and sophistication is united by the finest materials in the world. The Lissoni team spent hours with Italy's leading furniture manufacturers to hand-select the highest-quality materials and textiles—from the distinct grains of wood to the fabrics in natural materials including wool, linen and cotton. Sculptural, intimate lighting from Italy's top manufacturers is a key component to Lissoni's distinctive design mood within each space.

"We are honored to be selected as the design partner for such a special space in Philadelphia history. With AKA's unique model of offerings, the exciting challenge is to create an ambience that is homey enough for a person who is staying for a longer period, as opposed to a single day experience in a hotel room; and at the same time you have to create something that is interesting and different,"" said Nicoletta Canesi, Co-founder of Piero Lissoni Associati. "We're able to bring emotion into the residences by mixing different materials and styles with each space, inspired by AKA's world-traveler guests. The bedrock of the design is Italian, of course, but the décor elements are more global."

Located on floors 29 through 46, the residences at AKA University City boast expansive 10-foot ceilings and some of the city's highest and most striking panoramic views. The spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom, and Penthouse residences feature wide-plank Italian white oak flooring accompanied by open living and dining areas ideal for entertaining. Kitchens are clad in custom Italian cabinetry, with premium stainless steel appliances.

An entire club level for resident wellness, relaxation and enjoyment has been designed by Lissoni, which includes an indoor 72-foot aerial pool; AKA's signature amenity, a.lounge, which opens onto a.terrace, a four-season greenscaped oasis with endless sightlines and cozy fire pits soaring 400 feet above street level; a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness center; private dining and conference areas; a.cinema, a private theater with fully automated leather seating, complete surround sound, an extensive film library and curated film screenings; advanced business center services; and a 3-D indoor golf simulator. Best-in-class amenities will also include a soon-to-be-announced nationally-acclaimed indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar, and Cira Green - the city's first elevated park.

AKA University City is expected to open summer 2016. For additional information on AKA University City, visit stayaka.com. To learn more about Brandywine Realty Trust, visit brandywinerealty.com.

ABOUT THE TEAM:

AKA, a division of Korman Communities, comprises a curated portfolio of luxury serviced residences in prestigious metropolitan locations including New York City, Philadelphia, Beverly Hills, Washington, D.C. and London. Designed for long stay comfort and value, AKA balances the style and hospitality of an intimate hotel with the space and comfort of a fully-appointed luxury condominium. To learn more, visit stayaka.com.

Korman Communities carries forward a name synonymous with integrity, market savvy and proven performance in the real estate development and investment arenas. Korman's reputation reflects four generations of dedication and business acumen, resulting in the construction of more than 30,000 single-family homes and 12,000 apartments and townhouses.

Piero Lissoni opened the Lissoni Associati studio together with Nicoletta Canesi in 1986 and since then the 75-person firm has been recognized as one of the world's leading architectural studios, renowned for refined Italian furniture design as well as striking hospitality projects across the globe.

Brandywine Realty Trust has set the standard for innovation in real estate over the past 20 years, creating new solutions and anticipating the future, evolving from initial ownership of four office buildings to now delivering and managing some of the nation's most remarkable properties. The Cira Centre South neighborhood is one such example—a visionary development offering an elevated tenant and resident experience while energizing its surrounding community.

Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has designed many of the world's most recognizable buildings, including the World Financial Center in New York, the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, and the International Finance Centre in Hong Kong. Its award-winning portfolio includes retail and mixed-use projects, academic buildings, libraries, museums, research centers, res¬idences and master plans. Pelli Clarke Pelli has been honored with critical acclaim and hundreds of design awards, including the American Institute of Architects' most prestigious honor for an architectural practice, the Firm Award.

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