Facade work is well underway at One uCity Square at 225 North 38th Street in University City, West Philadelphia. Designed by ZGF Architects and developed by Ventas Inc., the structure rises to a height of 250 feet and 13 stories and will be one of the main buildings at uCity Square, a 14-acre megadevelopment. The building is poised to feature office and lab space, and the modern design will add vibrancy to the area.
One uCity Square. Credit: ZGF Architects
One uCity Square from a nearby parking lot. Photo by Thomas Koloski
One uCity Square. Photo by Thomas Koloski
Activity was first spotted at the site in September 2020, and by winter the excavation was underway. In January 2021, the footprint of the tower was noticeable as the soil was getting deeper. In March, concrete work has started as the concrete mat was poured at the base of the foundation. The tower cranes were erected in June, and the building stood halfway up by September. In November, the steel structure of tower has topped out and the facade work underway within the next month.
uCity Square site. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The most noticeable sight when walking close to the site is the cranes now gone from the structures of One uCity Square and the nearby Drexel University Health Sciences Building. The facade of One uCity Square currently rises halfway up the structure, revealing the final shape and look of the building. The east and the south face of the building features vertical metal fins sticking out of the glass, forming jagged patterns, with the ground floor is covered with darker glass and the upper floors clad in a brighter exterior. The structure may be fully clad by summer.
One uCity Square from a nearby parking garage. Photo by Thomas Koloski
The building is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Very, very nice.
what is this with “ZGF’s pinstriped suit” architecture ??