They call it Philadelphia’s “Ghost Station.” A transit train station beneath the city that opened nearly 100 years ago, was seldom used, and has been abandoned since 1979.
Now reopening, it’s fitting the design of the new Main Headhouse will be nearly “invisible.” Thanks to glass.
The Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) — which manages the rail line running from Philly to Camden County, New Jersey — is investing $30 million in the new Franklin Square station at Race and Seventh streets. Given evolving demographics, PATCO said bringing the station back on line makes sense as it will improve access to Independence Mall and the Old City.
G+MC has been involved with a good many glass architectural systems, but I have to say this is a beauty. Architect Sowinski Sullivan’s design is stunningly transparent, an artful dome of canted glass walls supported by glass fins. It’s almost like it’s not there.
Glazier National Glass & Metal Co., Inc. asked us to fabricate the 5,500 sq. ft. of glass, along with a range of engineering services and custom metal hardware, and we jumped at the opportunity to put our thumbprint on what will prove to be a city landmark.
The building’s steel bones are nearly complete and the first of the glass fins are in place. We’ll continue to ship installation kits to optimize flow in time for the targeted April opening. When it does, we’ll show you the final design, here, along with the rest of the story.