Horsham’s Toll Brothers City Living’s plan to build 80 residential units on Philadelphia’s Jewelers Row is under fire from preservationists, writes Jon Hurdle for The New York Times.

Toll Brothers plan to demolish nine buildings and erect a 16-story condominium tower and has promised to build a new facade to preserve the appearance of the street.

“It is our intention to protect not only the look and feel of Jewelers Row but also its culture and heritage,” said Toll Brothers.

While the plan was cautiously welcomed by some nearby retailers, it has also stirred up passionate protests from local preservationists.

The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia noted that the plan would open a new hole in the under-protected historic fabric of Philadelphia.

“The Jewelers Row situation is definitely a wake-up call that our preservation, planning and zoning apparatus is out of sync with contemporary needs in a historic city that’s undergoing a building boom,” said Paul Steinke, executive director of the alliance.

Read more about the plans at The New York Times by clicking here and check out previous MONTCO Today coverage of Toll Brothers by clicking here.