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Mormon church to build 32-story residential building

The complex will feature 258 rental apartments.

Mayor Michael Nutter held a press conference at city hall this morning to announce that the church plans to expand its building plans at 16th and Vine in Philadelphia Wenesday, February 12, 2014. Behind Mayor Nutter, left to right, is Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Director of Commerce, Michael Marcheschi, Real Estate Manager for the Mormon Church, Thomas King, Director of Investment Transactions for the Church, Architect Paul Whalen and City Council President Darrell Clarke. ( Ed Hille / Staff Photographer)
Mayor Michael Nutter held a press conference at city hall this morning to announce that the church plans to expand its building plans at 16th and Vine in Philadelphia Wenesday, February 12, 2014. Behind Mayor Nutter, left to right, is Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Director of Commerce, Michael Marcheschi, Real Estate Manager for the Mormon Church, Thomas King, Director of Investment Transactions for the Church, Architect Paul Whalen and City Council President Darrell Clarke. ( Ed Hille / Staff Photographer)Read more
    by BY SEAN COLLINS WALSH, Daily News Staff Writer <a href="mailto:walshSE@phillynews.com">walshSE@phillynews.com</a>, 215-854-4172
    Published 

THE MORMON church will build a 32-story residential building and a new meetinghouse a block away from its Center City temple, officials announced yesterday.

Mayor Nutter and Council President Darrell Clarke joined members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to announce the project, which will be at 16th and Vine streets and is slated for completion in 2016. The rental units and meetinghouse will be open to anyone, not just members of the church.

The development, which could generate up to 1,800 construction jobs, will have 258 rental apartments, 13 rental townhouses and retail space, according to the city.

It sits near the base of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and a block away from the Mormon temple under construction at 17th and Vine.

The plan must be approved by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and other agencies.

The 32-story tower is one of several recently announced projects that could fill in the Philadelphia skyline. They include: Comcast's 59-story Innovation and Technology Center, at 18th and Arch; developer Carl Dranoff's plan for a 47-story residential tower and hotel, at Broad and Spruce; and a 700-room hotel high-rise, at 15th and Chestnut.