Site Prep Progresses at CHOP New Patient Tower in University City, West Philadelphia

Philly YIMBY’s recent site visit has not4eed sustained construction prep work 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 $1.9 billion project makes up a significant portion of CHOP’s $3.4 billion ongoing development plan.

3501 Civic Center Boulevard. Photo by Jamie Meller. January 2023

Our recent visit to 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, revealed 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 road work having become significantly more active since our last visit in August.

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

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5 Comments on "Site Prep Progresses at CHOP New Patient Tower in University City, West Philadelphia"

James | January 28, 2023 at 9:30 am | Reply
It looks like a small demolition involving hand held and crane dismantling of existing building piece by piece in a tight space. Eventually they will go deeper to install new foundation to support the new building.
- C | January 28, 2023 at 2:45 pm | Reply
  It’s hard to see without access, but they’ve actually just about finished digging through the old 2 story garage, so there’s already a 2 story pit. They still have to demo the old building though
Kelvin Beckwith | January 28, 2023 at 1:07 pm | Reply
I love all of the developmen in the area. I thought a nice people mover or monorail would add a beautiful touch all though University City
Leslie Ryan | February 1, 2023 at 1:29 am | Reply
Kelvin your sweet
John L Hemphill III | February 2, 2023 at 4:17 pm | Reply
Great; great; amazing design; very wide with a robust look and great high. I deeply hope to find out more about it

5 Comments on "Site Prep Progresses at CHOP New Patient Tower in University City, West Philadelphia"

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