Inside the Design of Wharton Piers, a 36-Story Waterfront Tower on the Delaware River
Updated: Jul 30
A new landmark for the Central Delaware waterfront
When new renderings for Wharton Piers were revealed, they offered the clearest look yet at a project poised to reshape South Philadelphia's riverfront. Featured by the Philadelphia Business Journal and The Philadelphia Inquirer, the designs show a 36-story tower rising along the Delaware River, delivering 620 market-rate rental residences and a reimagined public waterfront at 1341 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard in the Pennsport neighborhood.
Wharton Piers is more than a single building. It is envisioned as the first residential phase of a larger master-planned waterfront district on an 8.54-acre site anchored by two historic piers, with the long-term capacity to support up to approximately 3,900 homes across future phases.
A tower designed around the water
Phase I centers on Building A, a 36-story residential tower built above a structured parking podium, paired with Building B, a dedicated single-story retail building. Together they bring homes, ground-floor retail, and active public space to a stretch of w
aterfront that has long been underused.
The residences are designed for people who want to live on the water. Unit layouts and building orientation emphasize river views, natural light, and a direct connection to the waterfront. The Phase I unit mix includes 155 studios, 279 one-bedroom residences, 62 one-bedroom-with-den layouts, and 124 two-bedroom homes, offering options for a wide range of residents, from young professionals to downsizers seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle with a view.
An amenity program elevated above the city
Wharton Piers is planned with approximately 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space, positioned roughly 60 feet above street level for sweeping views of Downtown Philadelphia and the Delaware River. The program is designed to feel like a resort in the sky.
A waterfront swimming pool with views of the skyline and river
Indoor and outdoor lounges and a roof deck with cabanas and barbecue stations
A fitness center with dedicated yoga and cycling rooms
A remote-working lounge with a conference room
A cinema room and a game room with a golf simulator
Pet amenities including a dog run and pet wash
Extending the Delaware River Trail for everyone
One of the most meaningful elements of Wharton Piers is what it gives back to the public. The project extends the Delaware River Trail by approximately 1,690 feet of new, publicly accessible waterfront, connecting directly to beloved destinations such as Spruce Street Harbor Park, Blue Cross RiverRink, and Cherry Street Pier.
This new esplanade and trail extension reconnect Philadelphians to their river. The design objective is to create a genuine neighborhood atmosphere inspired by successful waterfront districts such as The Wharf in Washington, D.C., and East Market in Philadelphia, where residents and visitors alike can walk, gather, and enjoy the water's edge.
A location that connects to everything
Wharton Piers sits along the Central Delaware, one of Philadelphia's most significant long-term redevelopment corridors. It combines direct waterfront access with proximity to Center City, major employers, universities, and cultural institutions, and it is located roughly six miles from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Designed by Perkins Eastman, with Greystar Real Estate Partners as property manager, Wharton Piers pairs thoughtful architecture with experienced operations. As the project continues to advance through the approvals needed to begin construction, these renderings offer an inspiring preview of a new Philadelphia landmark. Follow the blog for the latest on design, amenities, and the waterfront trail.
