One of the most exciting new developments on the drawing boards in Center City is the 11-story Jefferson University Caroline Kimmel Biomedical Research Center proposed at 214 South 9th Street in Washington Square West. The structure will replace a multi-story garage on the northwest corner of South 9th and Locust streets. Designed by Payette, the structure will feature common areas on the lower levels and research labs on the floors above. No demolition nor construction permits have yet been filed, so it is of little surprise that our site visit has discovered that the garage at the site continues to stay intact, which we documented in the photos below.
214 South 9th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller
214 South 9th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller
214 South 9th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller
214 South 9th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller
214 South 9th Street. Photo by Jamie Meller
According to the Sidney Kimmel Foundation, which pledged $70 million to Thomas Jefferson University for construction, the facility is named in honor of Mr. Kimmel’s and “will anchor the university’s Locust Street research corridor, markedly expand Jefferson’s research capacity, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations within the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and the Jefferson research community at large.” The Foundation also states that the “state-of-the-art labs will accommodate 56 additional principal investigator teams and will be invaluable in recruiting and retaining the brightest scientific minds in cancer and myriad diseases.”
Aside from the obvious benefits to the medical center, the development will significantly improve this street corner situated in a centrally-located, transit-accessible, historically significant neighborhood. We look forward to proximate permit issues and commencement of construction.
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I recall this was proposed November/December 2019. I had assumed they will go to CDR before picking up permits to start construction as this was pre pandemic before Governor Wolf and Mayor Kenny shut down businesses.
It could be pandemic related or politically related. The parking garage could be seen as a valuable revenue generator for both employee or visitor use.
I think they will start on this after completion of the new patient pavilion on Chestnut.
I love this era of parking garage removal in Philly 🙂