Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE: BDN), in partnership with Drexel University, broke ground today on Phase I construction of the mixed-use, master-planned Schuylkill Yards development in University City. 这个耗资35亿美元、为期多年的项目的第一阶段将通过在30街和市场街的拐角处创建一个1.3英亩的社区公园来增强公共领域，该公园被称为德雷克塞尔广场，随后将对前公告大楼进行重新设计，并在JFK大道3003号和JFK大道3025号开发两座塔楼。 This first phase of development will produce 4.6 acres of entrepreneurial space, educational facilities, research laboratories, corporate offices, residential and retail spaces, hospitality venues and open public spaces.
Schuylkill Yards is the next chapter in Brandywine’s longstanding, proven commitment to West Philadelphia, which began more than 15 years ago. Brandywine built West Philadelphia’s first office tower—Cira Centre—in partnership with Amtrak, followed by the historic renovation of the new IRS Philadelphia Campus. Brandywine then began construction of Cira Centre South in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania—a two-tower development comprised of FMC Tower—Philadelphia’s first “vertical neighborhood”—and evo—the nation’s tallest, luxury student apartment tower at the time of completion. Cira Green, Philadelphia’s first “park in the sky” creates a unique bridge between the two towers. The park serves not only as an amenity for tenants, residents and guests of Cira Centre South, but as an open-to-the-public destination for community gathering and relaxation.
“Today we take the first steps in making this large-scale innovation community a reality. As Brandywine continues to expand the West Philadelphia skyline, we do so with a forward-thinking, inclusive approach to the future. We embrace the changing habits of how people are living, creating, working and spending their time. We are proud that our first project in Schuylkill Yards will deliver a green public gathering space where the community can connect, interact and share experiences,” said Jerry Sweeney, president and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust.
As a priority of Brandywine’s curated neighborhood experience, Drexel Square will boast 1.3 acres of public space located directly across from Amtrak’s 30th Street Station. The space was thoughtfully designed in partnership with planning and design firms SHoP Architects and West 8 Landscape Architects, and will serve as a four-season destination with dynamic community programming throughout the year. Drexel Square is just one portion of the 6.5 acres of greenspace and improved streetscape planned for Schuylkill Yards, and is expected to be completed in Q4 2018.
“All great cities have great public spaces. Drexel Square will be Philadelphia’s next signature square – a sixth square adding to the five originally created by William Penn. Drexel Square is the keystone to the larger transformative development project at Schuylkill Yards, conceived by Drexel University and brought to life through a partnership with Brandywine Realty Trust,” said John Fry, president of Drexel University. “Drexel is proud to have chosen Jerry Sweeney and his team at Brandywine for this project that will benefit all of University City and Philadelphia.”
“Thanks to Brandywine’s thoughtful community building, this project will help us expand opportunities to many Philadelphians in need of jobs that pay family-sustaining wages and provide them with the security of affordable, permanent housing,” said Mayor Jim Kenney.
In conjunction with Schuylkill Yards’ groundbreaking, Brandywine will implement an unprecedented $5.6 million neighborhood engagement program focused on small business development, job creation, and affordable housing. This initiative emphasizes Brandywine’s commitment to improving Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, and ensuring Schuylkill Yards serves as a bridge to West Philadelphia communities.
“We are proud to have a Philadelphia-based developer on this project who understands and acknowledges all that goes into creating a forward-thinking, sustainable neighborhood. Brandywine Realty Trust has not only engaged direct stakeholders, but is also engaging local communities and neighborhood groups, encouraging them to take part and voice opinions on what matters most in their neighborhood,” said Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.
“Brandywine Realty Trust takes an inclusive approach to development and invests in surrounding communities – both by maximizing and revitalizing underutilized buildings and spaces and through capital investments that will fuel economic growth,” said Della Clark, president of The Enterprise Center. “Through this development project, Brandywine is building a bigger, innovative table that seats neighborhood organizations, higher education institutions, and corporations together to create more equitable capital solutions for small businesses that are our engines for local job creation in Philadelphia.”
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For real time updates and information surrounding Schuylkill Yards, please visit our Facebook page, or @BrandywineREIT on Twitter and @BrandywineRealty on Instagram. For media interviews, please contact Laura Krebs Miller, Cashman & Associates for Brandywine Realty Trust, at laura@cashmanandassociates.com, 215.627.1060 (office) or 610.715.1096.