Editing Cira Centre (section)

== Design ==

César Pelli's design for Cira Centre creates a tower whose curved facades give the building different profiles from different viewpoints, in contrast to the rectangular forms that characterize most office buildings. The curving glass curtain wall, with its subtle gradations of blue tint, creates a skin that appears to change with weather and light conditions. The building's form tapers as it rises, reducing its mass at the top and creating a profile that reads as distinctive on Philadelphia's skyline. Pelli, known for towers including the World Financial Center in New York and the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, brought international practice to a Philadelphia project that announced the city's willingness to invest in architectural distinction.<ref name="hine">{{cite book |last=Hine |first=Thomas |title=A Guide to Contemporary Architecture in Philadelphia |year=2009 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |location=Philadelphia}}</ref>

The building's position adjacent to 30th Street Station creates dialogue between contemporary architecture and the Beaux-Arts landmark. Rather than competing with the station's classical grandeur, Cira Centre's curving glass provides contrast that allows both buildings their distinct character. The tower rises from a site that was formerly railyard, transforming industrial infrastructure into premium commercial space. This transformation exemplifies broader trends in American cities, where former industrial sites near downtown cores have become attractive development opportunities.<ref name="gallery"/>