Public Spaces Flashcards
How tall is CTC?
1,121 feet (tallest in Philadelphia)
How many floors are in the CTC?
60, top 12 are Four Seasons Hotel
CTC architect?
Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners
Four Seasons dining options?
Jean-Georges’ JG Sky High (Michelin-starred)
Greg Vernick’ Vernick’ Fish & Vernick’ Coffee Bar
What’s the story of the wood floors?
Reclaimed oak from Reading, PA. A nod to the past – in the 1800s this is how streets were paved think it was better for the horses (it wasn’t)
Over 250,000 tiles throughout lobby and elevators
What kind of trees are in the CTC lobby?
Fiscus Benjamin grown in Orlando, FL
What is “Exploded Paradigm”?
65ft sculpture made of cast iron and stainless steel
A modern interpretation of a humble tree rising into the future
What is “For Philadelphia”?
A digital installation featuring 17hrs of continuous content with writing by international architects, visionaries, poets, and even Philly school children
What’s the Concourse?
Easy access to Suburban Station.
Dining outposts like Termini Brothers Bakery (try a cannoli!) or Pizzeria Salvy from Marc Vetri
Jeff Leatham, Floral & Artistic Director for the Four Seasons Philadelphia, has his studio down there
What art lines the Tunnel?
“Connection” and “Shift” by multidisciplinary artist Sarah Zwerling
Dreamlike collages exploring Philly’s landscape, neighborhoods, and architecture
What’s the mural piece near the Concourse?
‘In the Making’ by Serena Saunders
Collab with Mural Arts Philadelphia to commemorate MLK Day 2021.
100 employees took part in this paint by numbers project that were priced into a mural.
How tall is the Comcast Center?
974 feet tall (2nd tallest in Philly)
Who was the architect for Comcast Center
Robert AM Stern
What’s the Comcast Experience Wall?
A state of the art display featuring free programming year round (including content from DreamWorks animation)
Size is 2100 sqft with 27 million pixels
Thanksgiving to New Years features our Holiday Spectacular, a Philly tradition since 2008
What accessibility options are at the Comcast Experience Wall?
Closed caption and audio description devices are available at the reception desk
What art is in the Comcast Center lobby?
“Humanity in Motion” by Jonathan Borofsky
10 angled beams with realistic life size figures walking across them.
Represents how each person has a unique path to follow.
What’s in the Comcast Center outdoor plaza?
Café Clique, a pop up Parisian inspired cafe from Stephen Star restaurants. Seasonal.
Comcast Center Fountain. Open on summer.
Where is the Universal Sphere located?
Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch St
When you arrive in the lobby, look for the escalators next to the trees. Take those up to the second floor and find the Sphere on your left.
What happens in the Universal Sphere?
It’s a cinematic experience where you go inside and watch a short film with mild movement, lights, and sound.
What was the inspiration for the Sphere?
It’s a nod to collaboration between Comcast’s many businesses (and Steven Spielberg!)
They wanted to create an experience that blends art, content, and technology for employees and the public to enjoy
Is the Sphere Family Friendly?
Accessible to guests of all ages, and recommended 5 and older.
Children under 4ft (48inch) must be accompanied by a supervising companion at least 14yrs old.
Children can sit on supervisor’s lap.
Sphere hours?
Open daily 10am-5pm, last show at 4:45pm.
Holiday hours are 10-8pm, last show at 7:45pm
How long is Sphere experience
About 15min
How much does the Sphere cost?
It’s complementary (free)
How can you make a reservation for the Sphere?
Either online at TheUniversalSphere.com or in person during operating hours
How far in advance can I plan my Sphere visit?
30 days. First come, first served
When should I arrive for my Sphere experience?
10min before your reservation time to complete check-in process
Can I modify or cancel my Sphere reservation?
Yes, you can do it online by selecting “Existing Reservations”
What if I miss my slot?
You can reserve another time slot online or in person
Do I need to print my reservation?
No, you can just pull it up on your phone
What if I forget my reservation?
It’s fine, Guides can retrieve it using the phone or email you used to make the reservation
Things to do while waiting for Sphere experience
Explore the Comcast Center Campus or hangout at Vernick Coffee
What if I have lots of items with me when I visit the Sphere?
There’s complimentary coat check available
What languages can you experience the Sphere on?
Full audio translations available in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
There is also Spanish Descriptive audio
Is the Sphere Wheelchair accessible?
Yes, and we can accommodate one standard wheelchair per show.
Electronic wheelchair users must self transfer to a standard wheelchair before entering.
Can blind or visually impaired people experience the Sphere?
Yes! Audio description devices are available in English and Spanish upon request.
Can the deaf or hard of hearing experience the Sphere?
Yes, closed captioning devices are available in English and Spanish upon request
Can I bring my service animal inside the Sphere?
They may enter and remain seated beside you. Or, they can hang back with a non-rider from your party. There’s also a kennel available.
