A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has revealed an apparent start of construction, or at least some form of construction prep, at the future site of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia‘s 434-foot-tall, 26-story New Patient Tower (aka Inpatient Tower) at 3501 Civic Center Boulevard (alternately 515 Osler Circle) in the Medical District in University City, West Philadelphia. Designed by Ballinger, with ZGF Architects as the consultant and interiors/clinical architects, the 1.4 million-square-foot facility will provide around 480 patient beds and a variety of medical services. The project’s $1.9 billion cost comprises a major portion of CHOP’s $3.4 billion ongoing development plan.
3501 Civic Center Boulevard. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2022
3501 Civic Center Boulevard. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2022
3501 Civic Center Boulevard. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2022
After a long period of limited news and activity, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia appears to be moving with the New Patient Tower with a surprising speed. An extensive set of renderings and diagrams was unveiled just over a month ago in a Civic Design Review submission.
At this stage of development, we expected the 128,035-square-foot site, which currently houses the mid-rise Richard D. Wood Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center (also known as the Wood Center), vehicle drop-off, and a sparse courtyard plaza, to remain free of actual construction. However, our recent visit to the location revealed that construction fencing blocks access to Osler Circle, at least from the south approach where it connects to Civic Center Boulevard. Beyond the fence we observed that the drive aisle appears to have been enclosed entirely with fencing, with ample construction machinery and material present at the site.
3501 Civic Center Boulevard. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2022
3501 Civic Center Boulevard. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2022
3501 Civic Center Boulevard. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2022
3501 Civic Center Boulevard. Photo by Jamie Meller. August 2022
Although the activity we observed does not directly indicate active demolition work, its relation to the New Patient Tower is evident not only from the location of the work, but also by the massive banner displayed in the windows of an overhead pedestrian skybridge. The banner proclaims: “Arriving 2028. A tower rises. Hope soars.”
While the much-needed medical facility will certainly provide not only hope, but also numerous positive outcomes for scores of patients throughout the greater Philadelphia region, we also hope to see further progress on this promising and highly attractive development that will serve as a sleek new centerpiece for the rapidly growing Medical Center skyline.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia New Inpatient Tower. Credit: Ballinger / ZGF / AEI via the Civic Design Review
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Just driving around the area …so crowded…drivers si hostile…would give anyone a heart attack. Do something to make the traffic flow better before jamming up the area with another traffic making building
A great way to start construction is by blocking off and announcing what is coming in 2028.
Assume CDR approved it and city permits will be issued very soon.
CHOP and Penn have Carte Blanche in philadelphia and do whatever they want. The construction might be the temporary bridge to connect the glass hospital with berger. Whats going on with Schuylkill Avenue research building #2? That was out for GC Bid a couple months ago then nothing happened.