Demolition is nearly complete at a three-story budget motel at 600 South University Avenue (also known as 600 University Avenue) in West Philadelphia. Located directly on the Schuylkill River waterfront near the southernmost point in University City, the hotel was built in the postwar period and was once geared toward University of Pennsylvania visitors, and was later converted into a prison halfway house and was at times described as a “hot sheets” motel. The facility was eventually shuttered and the structure has stood vacant for years. However, Philly YIMBY’s site visit last weekend revealed that the building has almost been reduced to a pile of rubble. Given its generous zoning and location at a major university, medical, and office hub, the site may be slated for a large, and possibly high-rise, development.
View of the demolition. Credit: Colin LeStourgeon.
While the demolition of a dull, three-story building standing over the Schuylkill riverbank may not seem like a notable event, it may be a sign of something major coming in the future. In 2018, the lot was rezoned to CMX-5, which would allow for the construction of a large project, potentially even a high-rise, as-of-right. While no official proposals have come through as of yet, Penn has shown interest in developing on the property for multiple reasons.
First, the adjacent University City hospital cluster is pretty much built out to a point where just about any new tower would require demolition of a large building. However, the hotel site, a triangular-shaped property, is located across the rail line from the main building cluster, and has thus been overlooked by developers until now. At this point it is one of the last remaining undeveloped parcels, so it makes sense that something will be built on the lot eventually.
Additionally, Penn has also jumped to the other side of the Schuylkill River, expanding its campus to Forgotten Bottom, a South Philadelphia neighborhood tucked between I-76 and the Schuylkill River, concealed in a way that lives up to its name. The campus expansion, called Pennovation, is separated from the heart of Penn in West Philadelphia, and the university has been searching for a way to connect the two areas. By having access to the property along the river, Penn could potentially include a new bridge over the Schuylkill in their development, creating a solid link between the two sections. As such, if a high-rise were to be developed at the site, it would likely be affiliated with Penn Medicine due to its proximity to the hospital campus.
View of the demolition. Credit: Colin LeStourgeon.
View of the last remaining in-tact portion of the building. Credit: Colin LeStourgeon.
All of these factors seem as if they could currently be adding up to something. It is quite possible that in the following weeks and months, a major proposal may appear for the lot. The site sits in a prominent spot, right next to the river and visible from many locations.
With all of the potential at the property, a project of virtually any scale could be developed, making the hotel demolition even more important. Whatever happens with the site and its possible future, YIMBY will make sure to keep the readers updated.
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Not sure how tall of a building can be built by the river.
I hope it’s big and tall enough to be noticed for miles.
I love Philadelphia development!!
That hotel was one of the most unusual properties in the city. A hotel built on piers leaning over the edge of the Schuylkill? Strange but fascinating. The eastern edge of the building is/was completely over water. I always wondered if anyone fished directly out of their hotel window. Back in the sixties, they could have advertised “Color television, air conditioning, and fishing.”
I agree that this is likely getting primed for some sort of meaningful development. Pennovation and the Roberts Center complex are examples of the outward pressure coming from the hospital cluster.
It could lead to changes in their existing plan to build a lab near the Palestra by having it built on the above mentioned site. Only time will tell.
I hope they build a mixed used tower here like the Tanjong Pang Center in Singapore with some residential and hospitality capabilities. It would be great to get something that tall on this location
I hope they build something here like the Tanjong Center in Singapore; a mixed used high rise that caters to residential and hospitality with good height like the former. One good thing about this site it that due to its location above ground parking that is multilevel will not be a problem especially on the south side of the site facing the river maybe 10 levels or so when you consider the location size. This sight has promise for a very tall structure.
Good points made by JH. For that ground level parking, they could add a couple kayak/boat ramps and you could slide right into that quiet stretch of the river.
If they build here with height, it could offer a stunning presence as you entered the city up 291 and the Schuylkill. One concern is the proximity to the helipads for the hospitals. There was some chatter that this was an issue that forced the project at 11th & Walnut (the old Wendy’s site) to be downsized. I just don’t know what the rules are and whether this location would be close enough to be impacted. The Schuylkill Yards proposals (and FMC) are tall and they are obviously far enough away to not be limited. But this site is a little closer.
This lot was obtained by PECO via eminent domain, it will be a power substation and not a tower.
Noooo. Even with the spot zoning change? What a shame!
The zoning was never changed, it is still I-2. This article contains a number of inaccuracies.
Are you suggesting that this publication is deceptive, Chris?
If so, what do you plan to do about it?
Not deceptive, just uninformed. I provided a link to the 2019 PlanPhilly article concerning this lot in a prior comment- but that comment was not posted on this site.
What a crime. A motel is exactly what we need. And what a great site for a much bigger motel/hotel.