Penn and Children's Hospital Plan 19-Acre, 2M-SF Medical Expansion

Since 1994 when convention activities moved to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City, PAID has been working with the city to redevelop the site in coordination with the two institutions, Longstreth says. "In fall 2004, the city re-zoned the site to C-5 status, the only such status outside Center City's business district, in order to accommodate the development's planned density."

To date, Penn and the hospital have jointly constructed a 1,900-car garage on the southernmost two acres. A central parcel of 7.9 acres is owned by Children's Hospital, and it is flanked by two Penn parcels of 5.8 acres and 3.3 acres. At a cost of more than $32 million, Penn has demolished the two buildings and cleared 12.7 acres.

Penn and Children's Hospital are the two largest physician groups in the city. Their projected doubling of patient volumes and increase in medical research created the need for this expansion. In addition to clinical treatment and R&D facilities, the master plan currently under development calls for related office, parking and retail space, and will also include campus courtyards and gardens. Calls to Penn and Children's Hospital were not returned by deadline.