the state of university city 2016_0
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Of all the data and trends analysis contained in this year’s publication, the number that jumps out most is University City’s realization of the 75,000 jobs milestone.
Why is 75,000 a magic number? It means that from nanofab equipment specialists to neonatologists, from software development engineers to clinical programmers, and from carpenters to electricians, University City institutions and businesses are fueling the growth of the regional economy. University City is not simply producing jobs, we’re producing good jobs, creating opportunity in the neighborhood, city and region. From 2008 to 2013, in fact,we’ve seen a 79% increase in middle- to high-wage positions. In a city whose progress has been constrained by tepid private sector job growth, the magical mix of academic, research and commercial partners in University City is leading the region–and much of the country–in the acceleration of economic activity. As we enter an age of innovation districts, when the cities that succeed are the ones that cluster research and knowledge institutions with talent and start-ups, University City boasts an astonishing 30,000 jobs per square mile.By comparison, Cambridge, MA–always a benchmark for anchor institution-driven development–contains 19,000 jobsper square mile. With job density comes commercial vibrancy. Indeed, eastern University City has seen a 24% increase in food and beverage establishments since 2009 and a recent construction boom resulting in than 10 million new square feet of new development. Remarkably, even as office inventory has grown by 26% in less than a decade, University City has a region-leading 97.4% office occupancy rate. And, as the neighborhood transforms palpably into a dynamic, 24/7 urban center, eight major residential projects have driven an 11% increase in population since 2013. While job growth, construction figures and commercial vibrancy tell a substantial part of the University City story, qualitative measures revealing a neighborhood of choice abound. Institutions, businesses, communities and civic intermediaries like University City District fully understand that booming commercial infrastructure must be accompanied by commensurate investments in beautiful civic infrastructure. The sustained growth in the development, evolution and improvement of parks, public squares, vibrant streets and attractive transit infrastructure heralds a future University City admired as much for its quality of place as it is for its quantity of jobs, institutions and building projects.
Please enjoy The State of University City, and join us to help create a future of growth, innovation and opportunity.
Sincerely,
Matt BergheiserExecutive DirectorUniversity City District
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Spotlight on University City
Real Estate Development and Planning
Employment
Office Market
Retail and Hospitality
Colleges and Universities
Healthcare
Transportation
People
Residential
Events, Arts and Culture
Innovation
Looking Forward
University City District’s Impact in the Neighborhood
Membership
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Contents
PHILADELPHIA
UniversityCity
PENNSYLVANIAPENNSYLVANIA
NEWJERSEY
NEWJERSEY
DELAWARE
Bucks
Chester
Burlington
Salem
NewCastle
Montgomery
GloucesterCamden
Delaware
PhiladelphiaUniversity City
University City
University City
Center City
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Office Occupancy
97%
Retailers
154
Restaurants and Bars
260
Ground Floor CommercialOccupancy Rate
88%
Retail Square FeetUnder Construction
79,000
Hotel Rooms
723
Hotel RoomsUnder Constuction
315
Hotel Room Occupancy
78%
50,608Population
56%Percentage of ResidentsAged 25 or Older with a
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
Colleges and Universities
5
College & UniversityStudents
44,224
Hospitals
4
Hospital InpatientAdmissions
86,253
Annual Amtrak 30th StreetStation Passengers
4,083,704
Percentage of ResidentsWho Walk, Bicycle, or Ride
Public Transit to Work
71%
Median ResidentCommute Time
20-24minutes
Home Sales
113
Median HomeSale Price
$316,000
Median Apartment Rent
$1,450
Residential UnitsJust Completed or
Under Construction
1,420
UniversityCity
BY THENUMBERS
University City is the region’s leader in education, science, and innovation, boasting
world-class universities and medical institutions. The neighborhood is also a
destination for food lovers and culture seekers, with internationally acclaimed dining,
museums, and galleries; a hub for transportation with some of the most pedestrian
and bicyclist-friendly streets in the city; and a leader in employment. A mosaic
of high rises and tree-lined streets, anchor institutions and small businesses,
University City is Philadelphia’s neighborhood of choice for thousands of people and
families from a wide range of backgrounds.
Spotlight on University City
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Innovation SurgedThe number of patents issued is up 75% over 5 years and 110% since 2006, while R&D spending hovered around $1 billion dollars.
An Increase in Visitors Swelled Hotel OccupancyHotel occupancy increased 5% and is up 10% since the recession low in 2009, despite an increase in average daily rates of 9% and a 27% growth in supply.
More Restaurants, Cafes & Bars Opened Their DoorsDriven by growth in the institutional and office core, University City saw an increase of 15% in full service dining establishments and 23% in casual service restaurants since 2009.
Residents Opted to Walk, Bike, or TakePublic Transit Rather Than DriveSEPTA boardings continued their strong recent growth, up 19% since 2009. The percentage of University City residents commuting by foot, transit, or bike increased by 5% since 2000.
Central University City Evolved Towards a 24 HourNeighborhood with New Residents & BusinessesThe number of food and beverage establishments was up by 24% in central University City since 2009. Pedestrian counts in the core have shown continued growth, while counts on Market Street (30th-37th) in particular have shown consistent gains, up 12% since 2012.
A Robust Market for New DevelopmentsUniversity City remains one of the most active markets for new real estate projects in the region, with over 10 million square feet currently under construction or recently completed, representing an estimated value of over 4.6 billion dollars.
Growth at Major Employers Led to More New Jobs We estimate 75,000 total jobs in University City by the end of 2015, and the number surpassing 76,000 in 2016.
The Office Market Remained Among theTightest in the RegionAt 2.6%, University City’s office vacancy rate has hit its lowest level since 2008, prior to the burst of the real estate bubble. University City’s vacancy rate was the lowest among 27 regional submarkets, even as inventory has grown by 26% since the recession.
The Population Continued to ExpandBetween 2013 and 2016, University City will have added roughly 2,500 new units of multifamily housing, increasing the neighborhood’spopulation by roughly 11%.
The Residential Workforce Became Among theMost Educated in the CityAn impressive 56% of University City residents possess bachelor’s degrees or above, compared to 24% in Philadelphia overall.
University Enrollments GrewIn 2015, the number of students enrolled at University City’s colleges and universities surpassed 44,000 for the first time, and has grown approximately 5% over the last 5 years.
Home Values Reached a New HighIn 2014, the median home sale price reached a new record high of $316,000, with recent increases spread across neighborhoods.
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Value of PrivateNon-Institutional Development
Projects in University City
Cumulative Units of New and Anticipated Multi-family Housing
in University City
Source: UCD Source: UCD
The FMC Tower at Cira Centre SouthUnder Construction
When completed, the 49-story building will stand 730 feet and contain 635,000 square feet of office space.
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2016
(in
mill
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s)University City’s real estate growth continues at a breakneck pace. Major residential,
office, hotel, and institutional projects continue to alter and expand our growing
skyline, including recently completed apartment and mixed-use buildings, significant
hospital projects, and the tallest addition to the skyline west of the Schuylkill River,
Brandywine Realty Trust’s FMC Tower at Cira South.
Real Estate Development and Planning
3.0 University Place
SPRING GARDEN ST.
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Korman Center Renovation and Korman Quadrangle - where is quadrangle, is center tall?
Perelman Center for Political Science & Economics - which corner is it on?
X Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish Life - is this shaped like the house that was there before, single lot or multiple lots?
X ampus Commerce Center - which corner is it on?
DrexelInnovation
Neighborhood
MARKET ST.
CHESTNUT ST.
WALNUT ST.
SPRUCE ST.
MARKET ST.
CHESTNUT ST.
WALNUT ST.
SPRUCE ST.
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BALTIMORE AVE.
49TH ST.
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WOODLAND A
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SCHUYLKILL RIVER
SCHUYLKILL RIVER
AMTRAK30th Street
Master Plan9
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The Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care
Center for Advanced Cellular Therapeutics
Henry A. Jordan M’62 Medical Education Center
Pavilion for Advanced Careat Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
3601 Market
HUB 3939
3737 Chestnut Apartments
4224 Baltimore
43rd & Sansom
4619 Woodland
New College House
The Summit at Lancaster Avenue & 34th StreetThe Porch 2.0
Market Street Bridge
Cira Green
Innovation Plaza
Korman Quadrangle
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MEDICAL / BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH RESIDENTIAL
PUBLIC SPACE
All told, 29 new development projects advanced or were completed in the last 12 months, representing nearly
six million square feet of new office, research, academic, and medical space for a projected value of over
2.2 billion dollars. What follows is a summary of the projects continuing to transform University City’s skyline.
Neural & Behavioral Sciences Building
3901 Walnut Street
Korman Center Improvements
Perelman Center for Political Science & Economics
Perry World House
Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish Life
Richards Medical Research Laboratories
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ACADEMIC
Current Development
Cira Centre South
3.0 University Place
4614-18 Woodland Avenue
Campus Commerce Center
The Study at University City
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COMMERCIAL / HOTEL / MIXED USE
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Perry World HouseThe Perry World House will create a gathering place where Penn students and faculty engage with eminent international scholars and policymakers on pressing global issues of the 21st century.
Developer: University of PennsylvaniaLocation: 3803 Locust WalkSize: 16,500 square feetCompletion Date: Spring 2016
Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish LifeThe first facility at Drexel dedicated to Jewish student life, the preliminary design calls for an event space, chapel, meeting rooms, student lounges, offices for Drexel Hillel, a kosher kitchen and a large outdoor patio.
Developer: Drexel UniversityLocation: 118 N. 34th StreetSize: 14,000 square feetCompletion Date: Fall 2016
The Perelman Center forPolitical Science & EconomicsThe Perelman Center will merge Penn’s Political Science Department and Department of Economics in a new facility combining a rehab of the existing Philadelphia Trust building with a significant new addition to the north.
Developer: University of PennsylvaniaLocation: 36th & Walnut streetsSize: 110,000 square feetCompletion Date: Summer 2018
Richards Medical Research LaboratoriesUpdates to the Louis I. Kahn-designed Richards Labs included interior renovations to repurpose obsolete lab space, central infrastructure upgrades, and exterior repairs to this National Historic Landmark.
Developer: University of PennsylvaniaLocation: 3700 Hamilton WalkSize: 57,000 square feetCompletion Date: Summer 2015
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Korman Center ImprovementsThis renovation will include an expansion and modernization of the Korman Center, including a new two-story, glass-enclosed “solarium” overlooking the reimagined Korman Quadrangle featuring new walkways, landscaping and seating.
Developer: Drexel UniversityLocation: Between Market & Chestnut streets and between 32nd & 33rd streets Size: 1,000 square feetCompletion Date: Fall 2017
3901 Walnut StreetThis six-story mixed-use office building houses University of Pennsylvania offices and ground floor retail.
Developer: The Hankin GroupLocation: 3901 Walnut StreetSize: 30,000 square feetCompletion Date: April 2015
Neural & Behavioral Sciences BuildingThe Neural & Behavioral Sciences Building will put Penn students and faculty at the forefront of the revolution in brain science by bringing the Psychology and Biology Departments, the Biological Basis of Behavior Program, and the Penn Genomics Institute together under one roof.
Developer: University of PennsylvaniaLocation: Intersection of University Avenue, 38th Street & Baltimore AvenueSize: 76,500 square feetCompletion Date: Spring 2016
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3.0 University PlaceA new five-story office building, 3.0 University Place will be the first LEED Version 4 Platinum new construction project in the world.
Developer: University Place Associates, LLCLocation: 41st & Market streetsSize: 183,195 square feetCompletion Date: Fall 2017
Campus Commerce Center Following the completion of the first phase of Campus Commerce Center in 2012, a 136 room extended-stay hotel, phase two will be a Class-A office building partially occupied by the developer, Campus Apartments.
Developer: Campus ApartmentsLocation: 41st & Walnut streetsSize: 130,000 square feetCompletion Date: Phase 1 - 2012 / Phase 2 - 2017
4614-18 Woodland AvenueThis new three-story commercial building will feature both in-tensive and extensive green roofs where water gathered from rainfall will be collected and stored as grey-water to be reused in toilets to reduce water consumption.
Developer: 4614 Woodland Partners LPLocation: 4614-18 Woodland AvenueSize: 15,000 square feetCompletion Date: Spring 2016
The Study at University CityThis new hotel will feature 212 rooms, approximately 7,000 square feet of banquet/meeting space, a 105-seat corner restaurant and bar and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Developer: Hospitality 3Location: 20-40 South 33rd Street Size: 145,000 square feetCompletion Date: Fall 2016
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Commercial / Hotel / Mixed Use
Cira Centre South Cira Centre South is a transit-oriented mixed-use office, residential, and retail development consisting of two towers located on 30th Street, between Chestnut and Walnut streets. The FMC Tower will consist of 268 luxury apartments and 635,000 square feet of LEED based, Class-A office space. Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, the tower’s unique architecture will be highly recognizable on the Philadelphia skyline and will offer tenants unencumbered views of the Schuylkill River and the Center City skyline. The Chestnut Street Tower, evo, consists of 345 high-end residential units designed for young professionals and university students. Once both projects are complete, Cira Centre South will combine to bring over 20,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant space in the area. Cira Centre South is being developed within a Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone, which affords qualified office and retail tenants an abatement of most city and state taxes.
Developer: Brandywine Realty TrustLocation: 30th Street, between Walnut and Chestnut streetsSize: 464,000 square feet (evo); 900,000 square feet (FMC Tower)Completion date: September 2014 (evo); June 2016 (FMC Tower)
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16Center for AdvancedCellular TherapeuticsThe Center for Advanced Cellular Therapeutics (CACT) will be devoted to the discovery, development and manufacturing of personalized cellular cancer therapies, through a joint research and development program led by scientists and clinicians from Penn and Novartis. The CACT will be constructed as part of the master building plan for the rear of the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine on Penn Medicine’s University City campus, atop the 8-story Jordan Medical Education Center and South Pavilion Extension. The CACT will adjoin the existing cancer therapeutics floor in the Smilow Center for Translational Research, allowing it to be fully integrated with Penn Medicine’s research and clinical operations.
Developer: Penn MedicineLocation: Civic Center BoulevardSize: 30,000 square feetCompletion Date: 2016
Henry A. JordanM’62 Medical Education Center
The Henry A. Jordan M’62 Medical Education Center expands the campus of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania by fully integrating education facilities with active clinical care and research lab space, placing students in the midst of the dynamic practice of medicine.
Developer: Penn MedicineLocation: Civic Center BoulevardSize: 55,000 square feetCompletion Date: January 2015
Pavilion for Advanced Careat Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
The Pavilion for Advanced Care, the new home to Penn Medicine’s Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center, increases Penn Presbyterian’s capacity for patient care and services by combining new features aimed at improving patient and family comfort with modern technologies in order to continue providing the best in critical care.
Developer: Penn MedicineLocation: 38th & Powelton streetsSize: 178,000 square feetCompletion Date: January 2015
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Medical / Biomedical Research
The Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric CareThe Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia expanded its facilities on its South Campus, where the LEED-certified Buerger Center consolidates and expands many of its outpatient services. The public and patient spaces that can benefit the most from daylight and a connection to nature have been designed to face the 2.6 acre landscaped plaza, which will connect the ground floor withthe Colket Translational Research Building. A 12-story outpatient facility on top of a new, five-level parking garage, the project features a 14,000 square foot rooftop garden, as well as a landscaped plaza designed to support a variety of recreational and educational experiences for families, patients, and staff.
Developer: The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaLocation: Civic Center BoulevardSize: 700,000 square foot outpatient facility; 847,000 square foot below grade parking garageCompletion date: Fall 2015
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The Market Street BridgePartnering with Center City District (CCD) and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), University City District (UCD) delivered a major upgrade to the Market Street Bridge, one of the key gateways between University City and Center City. UCD engaged Groundswell Design Group to enhance the walking experience, and to extend the design style of The Porch across the Market Street Bridge. The improvements provide a welcoming connection between the eastern edge of University City, Center City, and the banks of the Schuylkill River.
Developer: University City DistrictLocation: The Market Street BridgeSize: 15,000 square feetCompletion Date: September 2015
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Public Space
The Porch 2.0The Porch at 30th Street Station, first introduced in 2011 by University City District, was Philadelphia’s first “lighter quicker cheaper” public space, and involved simple, cost-effective, and fully removable elements. In 2015 the space received a makeover, including a new landscaping design by Groundswell Design Group featuring tiered wooden platforms intermingled with planters and vine canopies; overhead festoon lighting; and custom-designed, brightly colored swings by Gehl Studio.
Developer: University City DistrictLocation: 30th Street StationSize: 30,000 square feetCompletion Date: September 2015
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Innovation Plaza Innovation Plaza reimagines the 37th Street Walkway between Market and Chestnut streets as an inviting pocket park featuring new landscaping, collaborative spaces, café seating, an entertainment venue, game tables, charging stations, free Wi-Fi, and the Science Center’s new Innovators Walk of Fame, which will celebrate the rich and storied tradition of innovation in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Developer: University City Science Center and Wexford Science + Technology, a Biomed Realty CompanyLocation: 37th Street between Market & Chestnut streetsSize: 27,200 square feet Completion Date: Fall 2015
Korman QuadrangleThis green space adjacent to the improved Korman Center will feature new walkways, landscaping, and seating that will make the area more user-friendly and appealing as a public gathering place. Renamed the Korman Quadrangle, it will unify this section of campus by strengthening its linkage with Chestnut Street, Market Street, and the new Perelman Plaza.
Developer: Drexel UniversityLocation: Between Market & Chestnut streets and between 32nd & 33rd streetsSize: 1 acre Completion Date: Fall 2017
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Cira GreenThis lush natural space blends the best in environmental stewardship with premier landscape design. Visitors and building tenants will have access to this vibrant outdoor venue for catered company events, as well as for social engagementand various art performances.
Developer: Brandywine Realty TrustLocation: 30th Street, between Walnut & Chestnut streetsSize: 1 acre Completion Date: September 2015
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3737 Chestnut ApartmentsThis new 25-story tower provides 276 apartments and 6,300 square feet of prime-corner ground floor retail with amenities including a fitness center, resident lounge, parking, secure bicycle storage and a roof deck.
Developer: Radnor Property Group, LLCLocation: 38th & Chestnut streetsSize: 288,000 square feetCompletion Date: Phased Aug. 2015 - Oct. 2015
4224 Baltimore4224 Baltimore is a proposed 132 unit mixed-use building located adjacent to Clark Park. The project’s design was developed in partnership with the community and features 17,000 square feet of ground floor retail, a public plaza, 60 covered/hidden parking spaces, 50 bicycle parking spaces, and a rooftop amenity space.
Developer: Clarkmore LP/U3 VenturesLocation: 43rd Street & Baltimore AvenueSize: 138,000 square feetCompletion Date: 2016
HUB 3939HUB 3939 is the second phase of the 40th Street Promenade Project, a mixed-use development near the corner of 40th and Chestnut streets, and includes 65 apartment units along with two floorsof retail and office space.
Developer: JNA Capital Inc.Location: 3939-41 Chestnut St.Size: 52,789 square feetCompletion Date: September 2015
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3601 Market This new 28-story, 363 unit apartment building designed with the goal of receiving LEED Silver certification is the first residential project in the Science Center’s 50-year history. It features 14,500 square feet of ground-floor retail, a fitness center, rooftop pool, spaces for bicycles, resident lounge, and parking spaces.
Developer: Southern Land Company Location: 3601 Market StreetSize: 443,000 square feetCompletion Date: Summer 2015
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The Summit at Lancaster Avenue & 34th StreetThe Summit is a mixed-use project that will kickoff a dynamic transformation of the Lancaster Avenue Corridor with 1,300 new student-housing beds, 19,000 square feet of street-level retail space and a dining facility.
Developer: American Campus CommunitiesLocation: 34th Street & Lancaster Avenue Size: 580,000 square feetCompletion Date: September 2015
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New College House This 21st century student residence will be the first to be designed and built specifically as a College House since Penn’s popular College House system began in the late ’90s. With 350 beds, a modern dining commons, and master suites, the new College House will offer undergraduates a premier home in which to live, learn, and grow. Student residents interested in particular fields will be able to live in clusters and the House will have its own student-managed program to present speakers and performers—all on a vibrant green quadrangle.
Developer: University of PennsylvaniaLocation: 34th & Chestnut streets Size: 190,000 square feetCompletion Date: Fall 2016
43rd & SansomThis mixed-use space is a four-story apartment building with two ground floor commercial spaces.
Developer: Apartments at PennLocation: 43rd & Sansom streetsSize: 35,000 square feetCompletion Date: February 2016
4619 Woodland4619 Woodland is a 17-unit new construction luxury apartment building featuring a large ground-floor commercial space.
Developer: HOW PropertiesLocation: 4619 Woodland AvenueSize: 27,660 square feetCompletion Date: August 2015
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2015. OnTheMap Application. Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program
Low
Residents Commuting to University City Jobs
By Zip Code
By County
High
Philadelphia
UniversityCity
19153336
191281,039
19154314
19114273
19136419
191311,023
19124604
19111714
19116287
191451,009 19148
1,079
19115291
19134531
19144716
19119867
191432,742
19140467
19120760
191125
191042,095
19152287
19118373
19137124
19135282
19121398
19151855
19132472
19149599
191391,219
19129348
19141403
191462,123 19147
1,596
19125475
19138482
19142663
19150374
19122190
19123357
19133146
191301,131
19126240
19106569
191031,906 19107
576
19127160
19102285
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
New JerseyNew Jersey
Delaware
Bucks
Chester
Burlington
Salem
New Castle
Montgomery
Gloucester
Camden
Delaware
PhiladelphiaUniversity
CityUniversity
CityUniversity
City
1,895
2,915
2,478
8,737
160
1,125
2,283
4,173
10,555
32,204
Job growth in University City continues to climb in a neighborhood that already boasts
roughly 30,000 jobs per square mile. According to Jones Lang LaSalle Research/U.S.
Census Bureau, University City has seen an 80% increase in middle-to-high-wage
jobs from 2008 to 2013, and University City District projects that by the end of 2015
it will surpass 75,000 jobs. The residential workforce is among the most educated
in the city, with 56% of University City residents possessing bachelor’s degrees or
above, compared to 24% in Philadelphia overall.
Employment
28 29
Emp
loym
ent Em
plo
ymen
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Jobs By Industry University City’s Largest Employers
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2015. OnTheMap Application. Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program
*The total count for Penn Medicine at all locations in 2014 is 24,293. Source: UCD
Education and Health Care: 77%
Office: 6%
Entertainment, Hospitality & Retail: 8%
Public Services: 5%
Transportation, Warehousing& Wholesale Trade: 0.6%
Manufacturing: 0.1%
Other Services: 2%
Real Estate & Construction: 1%
University ofPennsylvania:
17,056
Penn Medicine:13,816*
The Children's Hospitalof Philadelphia:
10,462
Drexel University: 3,469
Veterans Administration: 2,577
IRS: 3,969
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Total Jobs in University City Percentage of Jobs Paying at Least $40,000 per Year
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2015. OnTheMap Application. Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program. Excludes federal civilian employees (prior to 2010), uniformed military, self-employed workers, and informally employed workers.*UCD estimates and projections
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2015. OnTheMap Application. Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program. Excludes federal civilian employees (prior to 2010), uniformed military, self-employed workers, and informally employed workers.
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
2007 2008
2009 2010
2011
2012 2013
2014*
2015*
2016*
Jobs in University City
% of Philadelphia Jobs in University City
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
University City
Remainder of Philadelphia
30 31
Off
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Mar
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ffice Market
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Office Occupancy RatesAmong 27 Regional Submarkets
University City Office Inventory and Vacancy
Source: Newmark Grubb Knight Frank *2015 (Q2)
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
6%
7%
8%
9%
10%
2,000,000
2,100,000
2,200,000
2,300,000
2,400,000
2,500,000
2,600,000
2,700,000
2,800,000
2,900,000
2007(Q1)
2008(Q1)
2009(Q1)
2010(Q1)
2011(Q1)
2012(Q1)
2013(Q1)
2014(Q1)
2015(Q1)
Occupied square feetTotal square feet Vacancy rate
Squa
re F
eet
Vacan
cy Rate
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
University City 97.4%Radnor/Main Line
Southern 202 Corridor
Jenkintown
CBD-Walnut/South Broad
Central/S Delaware County
CBD-East Market
CBD-Independence Square
Bala Cynwyd
Conshohocken
CBD-West Market
Moorestown
Mount Laurel
Marlton
Wilmington West
Wilmington South
Wilmington North
Exton/Malvern
King of Prussia
Horsham/Willow Grove
Blue Bell/Plymouth Meeting
Pennsauken/Camden
Bucks County
Cherry Hill
Wilmington CBD
Fort Washington
Voorhees/Gibbsboro
97.0%
89.2%
88.3%
88.2%
88.1%
88.1%
87.6%
87.4%
87.2%
86.6%
86.6%
86.4%
86.1%
85.2%
83.7%
83.4%
82.6%
82.5%
81.2%
80.0%
78.4%
77.5%
77.5%
76.8%
71.8%
68.4%
SUBMARKET OCCUPANCY RATE*
Note: Inventory and vacancy data exclude CiraCentre (approximately 730,000 total square feet).Source: Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
At a vacancy rate of 2.6%–compared to 12.9% in Center City and 17.2% in suburban
Pennsylvania–University City’s office market is the tightest across 27 regional
submarkets. Vacancy is currently at its lowest rate since 2008, prior to the burst of
the real estate bubble, even as office inventory has exploded by 26% over the same
period. The FMC Tower, currently under construction, will add 635,000 square
feet of space in a landmark new tower when completed in 2016.
Office Market
32 33
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159226226133
254
287220
73
361
920974598
616
468
195
325
150
114150
1,205
1,327
1,140
1,0321,287
HourlyPedestrian Counts
Ground FloorRetail Businesses
250
213
714476
621
261
898896
631
207
394
208227
238
1,191 1,141
1,148
279209
368427
Market St
Walnut St
Chestnut St
49th
St
Spruce St
Pine St
Sansom St
50th
St
48th
St
34th
St
33rd St
47th
St
46th
St
45th
St
36th
St
Locust St
40th
St
38th
St
Powelton Ave
44th
St
Baltmore Ave
Woo
dlan
d Av
e
Spring Garden St
Chester A
ve
37th
St
30th
St
Larchwood Ave
Cedar Ave
Race St
Hazel Ave
Lancaster Ave
University Ave
South St
Sprin
gfeld Ave
31st St
Schu
ylki
ll Av
e
43rd St
39th St
Arch St
Kingsessi
ng Ave
Civic center Blvd
Warringto
n Ave
32nd St
39th
St
42nd
St
Osage Ave
Arch St
41st
St
43rd
St
37th St
100
500
1,000
1
5
10
11AM-1PM
6PM-8PM
Busy Sidewalksand Thriving Businesses
Source: UCD
Corner Bakery Cafe (3737 Market Street)
Businesses see University City as a prime opportunity for storefront retail because of
the customer mix of students, large employers, commuters, and full-time residents
who occupy the area. Approximately 79,000 square feet of new retail space was
added or under construction in 2015. Since 2013 alone, the total inventory of
retail space has increased by approximately 7%. In the near future, more than
300 additional hotel rooms and extended stay residences will increase visitor
accomodations in the neighborhood by two thirds.
Retail and Hospitality
United by Blue (3241 Walnut Street)
Food and Beverage: 260
Services: 234
Retail: 152
Casual Dining: 138
Full Service Dining: 61
Bakery and Cafe: 33
Bar and Night Club: 21
Ice Cream: 7
Food: Apparel: Books and Music: Pharmacy: General Merchandise:Home and Garden: Cell Phones and Electronics: Gas Station: Art Galleries and Supplies:Gifts and Flowers:Beauty Supplies: Bicycles: All Other:
45151411
108975552
16
Beauty:Laundromat and Dry Cleaning:Real Estate:Childcare:Health Care:Auto Service:Bank and Financial Institutions:Copy and Print: Tax Preparation and Accounting:Fitness: Arts and Music Instruction: Hotels:Car Rental: Social Services: Religious: Tutoring: All Other:
48231815151610
978877654
2834 35
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ail a
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0
50
100
150
200
250
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Ice Cream & Other
Full Service Dining
Casual Dining
Bar/Nightclub
Bakery/Café
(Q2)
University CityFood and Beverage
Source: UCD
Retail Services
Source: UCD
University City Storefronts Food & Beverage
Hello World (3610 Sansom Street)
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ail a
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0
200
400
600
800
1,000
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016*
Room Supply Room Demand
Average Daily Hotel Room Supply and Demand
*AnticipatedSource: Smith Travel Research and PKF ConsultingProvided by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel (3600 Sansom Street)
Hotel Occupancy and Average Room Rate
$140
$145
$150
$155
$160
$165
$170
$175
$180
$185
62%
64%
66%
68%
70%
72%
74%
76%
78%
80%
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
University City Center CityOCCUPANCY University City Center CityAVERAGE DAILY RATE
Occ
upan
cy R
ate
Averag
e Daily R
ate
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Co
lleg
es a
nd
Un
iver
siti
esC
olleg
es and
Un
iversitiesT
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0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
USciences Grad USciences Undergrad
Drexel Grad Drexel Undergrad
Penn Grad Penn Undergrad
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
2000 2013
Graduate
Undergraduate
Source: U.S. Census Bureau,Decennial Census, 2009-2013American Community SurveySource: University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
STUDENTS
Undergraduate 11,548 16,896 2,339 325 2,270† Graduate 13,258 9,463 409 0 0Total Students 24,806 26,359* 2,748 325 2,270†
STUDENT HOUSING
Undergraduate in campus residences 5,678 4,068 604 127 n/a in fraternity/sorority 480 232 n/a 0 n/a off campus (total) 5,390 12,596 n/a 198 2,270† in University City 3,340 n/a n/a 22 n/a
GRADUATE
on campus 775 200 36 0 0 off campus (total) 12,483 9,263 n/a 0 0 in University City 4,436 n/a n/a 0 0
CommunityCollege of
PhiladelphiaWest Campus
University ofPennsylvania
DrexelUniversity
Universityof the
Sciences
The RestaurantSchool at
Walnut HillCollege
2015 Enrollment
*Includes 2,313 students on co-op and 5,284 distance learning students. Total students on University City campus is 16,345. † includes credit and non-credit students who took classes at the West Regional Center including summer terms.
University Enrollment Student Population Livingin University City
True to its name, University City is home to Drexel University, University of
Pennsylvania, and University of the Sciences. In addition to being excellent institutions
for undergraduates, these schools also excel for graduate and post-graduate
degrees, offering world-renowned programs like the Wharton School of Business
and University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, up-and-coming
programs like Drexel’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, and longstanding standards
of excellence like University of the Sciences’ highly ranked Doctor of Pharmacy
program. And students aren’t just spending a few years in the area—a 2015 Campus
Philly report noted that 64% of college students educated in Greater Philadelphia
colleges and universities stay in the region after graduation.
Colleges and Universities
Hospitals in University City
12,893
1,775
9,995
2,471
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
Source: American Hospital Association
Personnel
Hospital of theUniversity of Pennsylvania3400 SPRUCE STREET
Penn PresbyterianMedical Center51 NORTH 39TH STREET
Children’s Hospitalof Philadelphia3401 CIVIC CENTER BOULEVARD
Philadelphia Veterans AffairsMedical Center3900 WOODLAND AVENUE
Key Admissions36,737
14,634
28,156
6,726
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
789
331
534
280
0
200
400
600
800
Beds
4,219
407
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
Births
1,404,608
191,582
1,191,174
676,412
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
Outpatient Visits
40 41
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Hospitals are a key component of University City’s economy. The neighborhood’s
medical institutions—Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Children’s
Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP), Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and Philadelphia
Veterans Affairs Medical Center—employ over 27,000 personnel, and admitted
over 85,000 patients in 2014. Two University City hospitals—CHOP and HUP/Penn
Presbyterian Medical Center—are ranked in the top ten in the nation, according to
U.S. News & World Report.
Healthcare
89 90 98
77 67 68
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Walk Score Transit Score Bike Score University City Philadelphia
Walked Public Transportation Bicycle Car Worked at Home Other
32%
30% 9%
23%
5% 1% 9%
26%
2%
59%
3% 1% 3% 5% 1%
86%
4% 1%
Walk, Transit and Bike Scores
Commute Mode
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
<15 15-29 30-59 60-89 90+
Travel Time to Work(Minutes)
University City Philadelphia Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
2009-2013 American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Decennial Census, 2009-2013 American Community Survey
Source: walkscore.com
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey
Walk Score measures walkability based on the distance to nearby places and pedestrian friendliness.
Transit Score measures how well a location is served by public transit based on the distance and type of nearby transit lines.
Bike Score measures whether an area is good for biking based on bike lanes and trails, hills, road connectivity, and destinations.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2000 2013 Walk, Bicycle, Public Transportation Private vehicle
University CityResidents
PhiladelphiaResidents
U.S.Residents
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Tran
spo
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spo
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University City boasts excellent public transit options, constantly improving walkability,
and a dedication to bicycle safety. Bicycle traffic between University City and
Center City has risen each year since 2005, and the pedestrian experience has
changed significantly with the addition of the recent Market Street Bridge pedestrian
enhancements. 30th Street Station functions as a major gateway to the region for
riders of regional rail, Amtrak, SEPTA trains, buses, and trolleys. All of the excellent
transit options have reduced the need for private vehicles in the neighborhood,
making it even easier for people to come experience all that University City has to offer.
Transportation
Market St
Walnut St
Chestnut St
Spruce St
Pine St
50th
St
34th
St
Locust St
40
th S
t
38th
St
46
th S
t
36th
St
Baltimore Ave
Woo
dlan
d Av
e
Spring Garden St
Chester A
ve
30th
St
Lancaster Ave
South St
JFK Blvd
7,180
4,211
6,158
5,805
4,760355 935
2,049
1,616
1,336
12,895
3,091
5,594
30th StreetStation
UniversityCity
Station
34th StreetStation
33rd StreetStation
36th StreetStation
37th StreetStation
40th StreetPortal
36th StreetPortal
40th StreetStation
46th StreetStation
1,000
5,000
10,000
Market-Frankford Line
Subway-Surface Trolley Lines
Regional Rail/New Jersey Transit
Amtrak
Indego BikeShare Station
Bicycle Trips Mo
re
Market St
Walnut St
Chestnut St
49th
St
Spruce StPine St
50th
St
48th
St
34th
St
33rd St
47th
St
45th
St
43rd
St
Locust St40th
St
38th
St46
th S
t
36th
St
Powelton Ave
44th
St
42nd
St
Baltmore Ave
41st S
t
Woodl
and
Ave
Spring Garden St
Chester A
ve
30th
St
35th St
Larchwood Ave
32nd
St
Cedar Ave
Lancaster Ave
University A
ve
South St
Springfield A
ve
37th St
31 st St
Schu
ylki
ll A
ve
39th St
Kingsessi
ng Ave
Civic Center
Blvd
Warri
ngton A
ve
Arch St
Florence A
ve
JFK Blvd
39th
St
44 45
Tran
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Average Daily Boardings at University City Rail Stations
Source: SEPTA, Amtrak, New Jersey Transit
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
Market-Frankford
Line
SubwaySurface
(Trolley)
RegionalRail
LUCY
2009 2014
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009 2010
2011
2012
2013 2014
Ave
rag
e h
our
ly b
icyc
lists
at
rush
ho
ur
Average DailySEPTA Boardings
Bicycle Traffic BetweenUniversity City and Center City*
Bicycling in University City
Source: SEPTA
*Includes Schuylkill River bridges except Spring Garden StreetSource: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
*Note: Map represents the relative number of trips recorded by riders using the CyclePhilly smartphone app from May to October, 2014. These users’ trip patterns may not reflect those of all cyclists. Source: DVRPC
46 47
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ple
Peop
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0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
2000 2013
0-4 5-910
-14 15-1920-2
425-2
930-3
435-3
9
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
2000 2013
0-4 5-910
-14 15-1920-2
425-2
930-3
435-3
9
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
University City Age Distribution
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Decennial Census, 2009-2013 American Community Survey
People
University City is home to a diverse cross-section of residents ranging from college
students to young professionals working in the major educational and medical
centers to families and residents who have called this area home for decades.
The neighborhood’s cultural and socioeconomic diversity continues to grow
due to the high quality of life in University City.
People
48 49
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Peop
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University City Educational Attainment
University City Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Philadelphia UCD
Master's/Professional/Doctorate Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Some College/Associate's Degree
High School or Below
53%
23%
14%
10%
22%
22%
25%
31%
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
1990 2000 2010 2014
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census; UCD estimate for 2014
50,608
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census; UCD estimate for 2014
0%1-5
%6-10
%
11-15%
16-2
0%
21-25%
26-30%
31-35%
36-40%
41-45%
46-50%
51-55%
56-60%
61-65%
66-70%
71-75%
76-8
0%
Diversity Index
University City
University City DiversityThis measure reflects the probability that any two residents are of different races.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey
The City Schoolat Spruce Hill
Samuel Powel School
Penn Alexander School
St. Franics de Sales School
West Philadelphia High School
West Philadelphia Catholic High School
HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Paul Robeson High School for Human Services
Henry C. Lea School
WalnutHill
GardenCourt
CedarPark
SpruceHill
Powelton Village
The Workshop School
Market St
50th
St
Spring Garden St
University Ave
33rd St
Walnut St
Chestnut St
49th
St
Spruce St
Pine St
Sansom St
48th
St 34
th S
t
33rd St
47th
St
46th
St
45th
St
36th
St
Locust St 40th
St
42nd
St
38th
St
Baring St
Powelton Ave
44th
St
Baltmore Ave
41st S
t
Woo
dlan
d Av
e
Chester A
ve
Hamilton St
37th
St
30th
St
35th St
Larchwood Ave
32nd St
Cedar Ave
Hazel Ave
Lancaster Ave
South St
Springfield A
ve
31 st St
Schu
ylki
ll A
ve
43 rd St
39th St
Kingsessi
ng Ave
Warri
ngton A
veFlore
nce Ave
John F Kennedy Blvd
Walton Ave
Catharine St
Osage Ave
37th St
43rd
St
39th
St
CentralUniversity City
West Powelton
Neighborhoods and SchoolsSCHOOLS
Primary Secondary Both
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Spruce Hill
Central University City
Powelton Village
Walnut Hill
$0.5
$1.0
$1.5
$2.0
$2.5
$3.0
2013Q3
2013Q4
2014Q1
2014Q2
2014Q3
2014Q4
2015Q1
2015Q2
Source: Kwelia
$75
$100
$125
$150
$175
$200
$225
$250
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Garden Court
Cedar Park
West Powelton
University City
Average Home Sale Price (in thousands)Median Rent
Median Rent Per Square Foot Average Home Sale Price Per Square Foot
Note: Some neighborhoods are excluded due to limited number of sales. Source: TREND
Median Home Price in University City
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
2000 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009 2010
2011
2012
2013 2014
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
2013Q3
2013Q4
2014Q1
2014Q2
2014Q3
2014Q4
2015Q1
2015Q2
Islamic Education School
Jubilee School
The City School at Walnut Street
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The housing options in University City are as varied as its residents. The residential
neighborhoods of University City offer a variety of distinctive living choices,
including large historic homes with wide porches, walk-up apartments, and
condominiums, while the areas closer to the eastern end of the district are
home to dorms for students and larger apartment complexes. Between 2013
and 2016, UCD will have added roughly 2,500 new units of multifamily housing,
increasing the neighborhood’s population by about 11%. In 2014, the median
home sale price reached a new record high of $316,000, with recent increases
spread across neighborhoods.
Residential
Playground Greening at Henry C. Lea School
Playground Greening at Henry C. Lea School
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Started in 2005 as a small group of local parents providing pre-school for their children, West Philadelphia Cooperative School now offers a Toddler, Pre-School and Kindergarten Class at 4625 Baltimore Avenue and is the only co-op school in the neighborhood. The school has created an inclusive community for children and families, reflecting the full diversity of West Philadelphia. West Philadelphia Cooperative School provides a play-based learning environment and gives students the opportunity to learn and explore the natural world, with frequent trips to the local community garden and parks.
The Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania
Partnership School (known as the Penn Alexander School) is
the result of a historic partnership between the University of
Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia
Federation of Teachers to build a model university-assisted,
PreK-8 public school for West Philadelphia children. The Penn
Alexander School is a Title One school that serves approximately
550 neighborhood students and has sparked neighborhood
revitalization since its inception. The fruits of this rich model of
a university-assisted neighborhood public school can be seen in the exceptional accomplishments of the
students and teachers: PAS is ranked among the top performing city schools, with students taking top
honors in citywide competitions and graduates going on to select city high schools.
Exemplary Public Education in a Thriving Community
Families Play an Active Role in theWest Philadelphia Cooperative School
The Workshop School uses innovative projects to spur students’ education, from rehabbing an old food truck and turning it into a mobile education vehicle providing healthy food, to building a Biodiesel car for the first White House “Maker Faire.” Here, President Barack Obama shakes hands with Simon Hauger, the Principal at Workshop School.
Henry C. Lea School
HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Islamic Education School
Jubilee School
Paul Robeson High School for Human Services
Penn Alexander School
Samuel Powel School
St. Francis de Sales School
The City School at Spruce Hill
The City School at Walnut Street
The Workshop School
West Philadelphia Catholic High School
West Philadelphia High School
4700 Locust St. K-8 Public
4400 Baltimore Ave. pre K-12 Private
4431 Walnut St. pre K-8 Private
4211 Chester Ave. pre K-6 Private
4125 Ludlow St. 9-12 Public
4209 Spruce St. K-8 Public
301 N. 36th St. K-4 Public
917 S. 47th St. K-8 Private
4115 Baltimore Ave. K-5 Private
4501 Walnut St. 6-8 Private
221 S. Hanson St 9-12 Public
4501 Chestnut St. 9-12 Private
4901 Chestnut St 9-12 Public
SCHOOL ADDRESS GRADES TYPE
University City boasts several prestigious and innovative schools. The Workshop School is a project-based high school that teaches students through hands-on experiences with the latest technologies. The Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School (typically called Penn Alexander), subsidized by the University of Pennsylvania, is recognized nationwide as a model of university-assisted schools. According to the 2013-14 School Progress Report, the Samuel Powel School in Powelton Village ranked second among Philadelphia’s K-4 elementary schools. Thanks to neighborhood and corporate funding, the Henry C. Lea School has broken ground on its Greening Lea project, which will transform the school’s concrete playground into a community asset.
Accolades for Education Extend Beyond theColleges and Universities in the Neighborhood
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University Ave
33rd
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Market St
Walnut St
Chestnut St
49th
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Spruce St
Pine St
Sansom St
50th
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48th
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34th
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Powelton Ave
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Spring Garden St
Chester A
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Hamilton St
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Larchwood Ave
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Cedar Ave
Hazel Ave
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Springfield A
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Performing Arts
Museums, Visual Arts,Historic and Scientific
<10,000
10,000-24,999
25,000-49,999
>50,000 Community Artsand Education
Annual Attendance Organization Type
Annual Attendance at Arts and Cultural Events
PAID ATTENDANCE332,135
FREE ATTENDANCE236,364
TOTAL ATTENDANCE
568,499Source: Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Arts and culture play a vital role in people’s everyday lives and have a positive impact
on a neighborhood. Artists and arts organizations support community building and
educational enrichment while also providing entertainment opportunities for businesses
and tourists. University City attracts more than half a million arts patrons annually to its
unique exhibitions, galleries, and music, dance, and theater performances. UCD is
dedicated to working with partners on the promotion and integration of arts and culture;
together, we present a variety of free events in both educational and public settings.
Annual favorites like the 40th Street Summer Series (pictured above) and the Baltimore
Avenue Dollar Stroll (right) bring thousands of people together and introduce them to
new intellectual and cultural assets.
Events, Arts and Culture
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Research and Development Expendituresat University City’s Universities*
*R&D expenditures in Science and engineering only. Note that recent declines are due in part to expiration of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds awarded in 2010 and 2011.Source: National Science Foundation
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Science CenterPort Incubator Businesses
University City Institutions
Patents Issued toUniversity City
Institutionsand Businesses*
*Includes The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine, Drexel University, Wistar Institute and Science Center Port Incubator residents (2010 -2014 only).Source: UCD
Percentage of StatewideNIH Funding to University City
Institutions and Businesses
40%
41%
42%
43%
44%
45%
46%
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Source: National Institutes of Health
$540
$560
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$660
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Total NIH Funding to University CityInstitutions and Businesses
Source: National Institutes of Health
University City is the area’s leader in science, research and medicine. Discoveries
made in the region bring billions of dollars to the economy and that number is
expected to grow as new initiatives like the Pennovation Center, the Innovation
Neighborhood, and the planned doubling of the Science Center come to fruition.
From small companies working out of shared spaces to major leaders in scientific
breakthroughs, University City is setting the pace for innovation.
Innovation
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Penn continues to grow its partnership with the IP Group, a commercialization engine dedicated to the translation of university intellectual property. The ongoing relationship has already included mentorship and funding for multiple UPstart companies selected by IP Group. Summer 2015 marked the launch of the first Penn I-Corps Startup Accelerator program, which brings together faculty-student teams for a series of workshops designed to further business ideas, aiming to commercialize university technologies. In September 2015, AOL Founder Steve Case visited Penn as part of his “Rise of the Rest” Tour. He met with student entrepreneurs and innovators, learning about their startup companies and inventions.
The Penn Center for Innovation Continues to Foster Entrepreneurs and Innovators in the Penn Community
Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed and scientifically validated the Simulated Driving Assessment (SDA), a novel tool to assess the skills of novice teenage and adult drivers. Drawing on over a decade of research, the simulator’s 35-minute interactive video presents users with 22 high-risk driving scenarios. Many recently licensed drivers have not mastered the complex hazard-avoidance driving skills needed to avert crashes, so the SDA identifies specific driving errors to focus upon in further training or coaching. CHOP’s Open Canvas program, under DreamIt Health’s business accelerator program, aims to bring the SDA into broader use.
CHOP Researchers’ Driving Simulator Assesses Crash-Avoidance Skills
Research conducted by Christopher Janetopoulos, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, is leading to important new understandings in how cells work. One area is in understanding cell division and cell migration, two processes that have been linked to the metastasis of many types of cancers. Janetopoulos was also part of a published study focused on a new type of microscope that allows researchers to image live cells and small organisms at high speed and resolution, while also notdamaging the specimen. Dr. Janetopoulos says there is nothing else that allows scientists to obtain3D images with this type of spatial and temporal resolution.
University of the Sciences Professor’sCell Research Could Provide FutureCancer Therapies
In an international first, a team of Penn Medicine surgeons specializing in orthopaedics, transplant, and plastic surgery performed a double-hand transplant on eight-year-old Zion Harvey, who lost both his hands and feet following a life-threatening infection at age two. The 10-hour procedure at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia– the first time the delicate surgery had ever been performed on a child–was nearly two years in the making, under the direction of L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS, Penn Medicine’s chair of Orthopaedics and director of Penn and CHOP’s Hand Transplant Program. Zion said his new hands are a dream come true. “I just want to say this, never give up on your dreams. It will come true,” he told CBS Evening News.
World’s First Pediatric Double-Hand Transplant Performed by Penn Medicine
Swarms of microscopic, magnetic, robotic beads could be scrubbing in next to the world’s top vascular surgeons—all taking aim at blocked arteries. Mechanical engineers at Drexel University are creating these microrobots, which look and move like corkscrew-shaped bacteria, as a part of a surgical toolkit being assembled by the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in South Korea. Drexel professor MinJun Kim, PhD, is contributing his team’s extensive work in bio-inspired microrobotics to the $18-million, 11-institution international research initiative, in which Drexel is the only US representative.Kim’s robotic “microswimmer” technology is small enough to navigate in the bloodstream like a tiny boat,and one day the team hopes that it will be used to clear blocked arteries and save lives.
Drexel’s Microscale ‘Transformer’Robots Are Joining Forces to Break Through Blocked Arteries
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Drexel University City Development, LLC, a joint venture between Drexel University and Wexford Science and Technology, a BioMed Realty company, purchased the 14-acre site of the former University City High School, Charles Drew Elementary School, and Walnut Center in June 2014. The remediation and demolition of the site are expected to be complete by November 2015, with the construction of new infrastructure (such as streets, sidewalks and utilities) starting shortly thereafter.
The $1 billion development plan for the site totals more than 2.8 million square feet and includes plans for new academic, laboratory and research space surrounded by residential, retail, open space and a potential K-8 school, creating a dynamic new neighborhood hub.
As part of the redevelopment, Wexford and the University City Science Center have joined forces to expand the Science Center campus into a thriving mixed-use environment known as uCity Square. This expansion will enhance its appeal as a destination for innovative national and international companies, residents and visitors, and re-imagine University City as a vibrant Knowledge Community. uCity Square will serve as a world-class innovation hub where Philadelphia can grow, retain and recruit new companies that create high-skilled, high-wage jobs for the community.
Location: 36th - 38th streets, Filbert Street-Lancaster Avenue • Size: 14 acres
Drexel and Wexford Reveal Plans for $1 Billion Dollar uCity Square
The expansion in University City shows no signs of slowing. Offices and retail
spaces are filling quickly with distinguished tenants; civic infrastructure continues
to attract people to our walkable streets, bike paths, public spaces, and transit;
and the eastern edge of the district is poised to continue its transformation into
a 24/7 neighborhood. In 2016 Philadelphia welcomes the Democratic National
Convention, and University City will once again function as a major entrance point
into the region for visitors. In the section that follows, we highlight some of the
major developments on the horizon.
Looking Forward
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Drexel’s Innovation Neighborhood, a 10.11-acre project situated next to Amtrak’s 30th Street Station will create a new gateway to Drexel’s campus and University City. Drexel is moving into the final stages of its RFP process to select a master developer
for Innovation Neighborhood that will house technology partnerships, industrial joint ventures, interdisciplinary academic and research programs, business incubators and more. Offices and laboratories, classroom space and residential and retail property will develop in tandem to create a dense, mixed-use neighborhood. It is the centerpiece of Drexel University’s strategic focus on research, technology transfer and economic development. Innovation Neighborhood will be the first phase of development surrounding 30th Street, creating the momentum needed to fulfill the vision of the final Station District Plan.
Opened in 1927, the former Provident Life Insurance Company at 4601 Market Street is in the design phase to become the City of Philadelphia’s Public Safety Services Campus. At the heart of a 15 acre campus, the 325,000 square foot PSSC is designed to be LEED Silver and will house state of the art facilities for Police Headquarters, the Medical Examiner’s Office and Morgue, and Department of Public Health Laboratories. The project is scheduled to open in 2018.
Drexel’s Innovation Neighborhood
City of Philadelphia’sPublic Safety Services Campus
Launched in the summer of 2014, the Philadelphia 30th Street Station District Plan is a long-range joint master planning effort led by Amtrak, Brandywine Realty Trust, Drexel University, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The effort envisions 30th Street Station at the epicenter of a dynamic, urban neighborhood full of opportunities for community development, economic growth and improved transportation connections.
The focal point of the study is a 175 acre area surrounding 30th Street Station, including Drexel’s Innovation Neighborhood campus and approximately 88 acres of rail yards owned by SEPTA and Amtrak. Through the two year planning process, the project team will address current conditions within the existing station, identify commercial development opportunities and the potential development of air rights above the rail yards, and enhance the long-term capacity for trains, passengers and connecting modes to accommodate the anticipated growth in demand and services.
Now approximately halfway through the planning process, the Project Team has developed and publically presented three alternative District Plan visions, demonstrating the breadth of design elements available for inclusion in a comprehensive, single vision for the 30th Street Station District Plan. The alternatives looked to enhance the public realm, expand the transit network and usher in bold development to create Philadelphia’s next great neighborhood. The three options were evaluated by the public and other stakeholders and will be further refined to create a single vision for the 30th Street Station District that will be revealed in the summer of 2016.
Philadelphia 30th Street StationDistrict Plan
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The 23-acre Pennovation Works site, (3401 Grays Ferry Avenue), sits adjacent to Penn’s campus and Health System on the Grays Ferry Crescent of the Schuylkill River. This new development is devoted to advancing research and innovation, and the commercialization of research into new products, services and entrepreneurial ventures. It aligns with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation’s (PIDC) master plan for revitalizing the Lower Schuylkill River. This strategic location has the potential for creating a new keystone that secures University City, Center City, and the lower river PIDC Innovation District as the three engines of Philadelphia’s economy. Pennovation Works will be anchored by the Pennovation Center, a 58,000 square foot facility opening in August 2016 that will be a hub for innovators from all disciplines to collaborate and exchange ideas. Upon completion, the three-story Pennovation Center will house a mix of tenants in a combination of private office suites, basic wet and dry labs, meeting and conference rooms, special event spaces, and a coworking space with over 200 desks supporting individual entrepreneurs and startups seeking an affordable and flexible office. The facility will feature five “Startup Garages”—spaces that evoke the concept that some of the world’s most famous inventions and businesses began in garages. Since 2010 an innovative tenant mix has steadily emerged at the Pennovation Works. The $37.5 million project phase will also include utility infrastructure and site work, as well as aesthetic enhancements and signage.
Pennovation Works
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Schuylkill Avenue expansion will feature a clinical research/office tower with extensive new public spaces and connectivity to the expanding recreational and transportation infrastructure along the Schuylkill River waterfront. The master-planned site will include a 480,000 square feet building with 190,000 square feet of parking. Following a philosophy of civic engagement, a major component of this expansion is neighborhood integration in which the facility and space will interact positively with the local community in terms of connectivity and ambience. The CHOP project is consistent with Philadelphia’s “Philadelphia 2035” master plan and the “Tidal Schuylkill River Master Plan.” A series of connected plazas will adjoin to a bridge over the CSX freight railroad tracks to connect with the expanding Schuylkill Banks trail project. Schuylkill Avenue will provide safe, well-lit public access to the Schuylkill Banks river trail extension and will increase the connectivity of the bikeway and walking networks.
CHOP South Street Campus
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Transforming Public SpacesUniversity City District strives to be at the forefront of placemaking and urban design initiatives in Philadelphia. UCD improves and enhances existing areas through placemaking efforts such as The Porch at 30th Street Station and the Market Street Bridge, and has made major strides with The 40th Street Trolley Portal, our next signature space set to break ground in 2016.
The Porch At 30th Street StationSince its introduction in late 2011, The Porch at 30th Street Station has become one of Philadelphia’s most vibrant public spaces. The Porch is located next to the third busiest Amtrak station in America, with 16,000 people passing through the site daily and 18,000 employees within a five-minute walk. Four years after its development, UCD introduced the first major set of upgrades to The Porch. A local firm, Groundswell Design Group, developed and implemented a plan that added tiered wooden platforms intermingled with planters and vine canopies. The space offers a variety of comfortable and intimate spaces for people to lounge and linger. In addition, building on UCD’s momentum as a leader in innovative social seating, San Francisco-based Gehl Studio created custom-made, brightly-painted wooden swings. Overhead festoon lighting was added for additional charm. Creative programming from pop up concerts to theater and dance performances all add to the vibrancy of this celebrated space. Improvements to The Porch are made possible by generous grantsfrom the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as part of their Knight Arts Challenge grant and ArtPlace.
Market Street BridgeUCD, Center City District (CCD), and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC) partnered to refresh the MarketStreet Bridge, one of the key gateways between University City and Center City. The improvements, which include planters and bleachers for sitting and relaxing, enhance the pedestrian experience and provide a welcoming connection between the eastern edge of University City, Center City, and the banks of the Schuylkill River.
University City District (UCD) is a partnership of world-renowned anchor
institutions, small businesses and residents that creates opportunity, and
improves economic vitality and quality of life in the University City area
of West Philadelphia. Our primary mission is community revitalization.
We work within a place-based, data-driven framework to invest in
world-class public spaces, address crime and public safety, bring life to
commercial corridors, connect low-income residents to careers, and
promote job growth and innovation.
UCD’s Impact on the Neighborhood
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Cedar Park Pedestrian PlazaUniversity City District, working in close collaboration with Cedar Park Neighbors, the City of Philadelphia, and the adjacent stakeholders, plans to enhance Cedar Park with the creation of a new pedestrian plaza. The plans involve an extension of Cedar Park through a connection to an existing adjacent landscaped plaza. A poorly utilized and dangerous vehicle cut-through between Baltimore Avenue and Catharine Street will be converted into a lovely new pedestrianized space with planters, bike racks, and temporary play equipment for the community to enjoy.
Connecting Employersto Local TalentIn 2015, University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) continued its successful run of connecting employers seeking talent with unemployed residents seeking opportunity. WPSI worked with notable companies such as Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), AlliedBarton Security Services, SodexoMAGIC, Impark, and more. Before joining the WPSI program, the average 2015 participant was unemployed for over a year, some as long as 17 months. 91% of program graduates were placed in employment after graduation and earned an average wage at placement of $13.58 per hour (87% higher than Philadelphia’s minimum wage).
40th Street Trolley PortalIn partnership with SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, and a committee of neighborhood leaders and stakeholders, UCD continued work in 2015 toward its goal of transforming the 40th Street Trolley Portal from a blighted and unsafe place into a new hub of activity at the heart of University City. When completed, the Portal will be a vibrant and social space, featuring a bosque of trees, lush wildflower mounds, movable tables and chairs, native horticulture, artful lighting, and boulders for creative play. In addition, the Portal will feature a new restaurant with a green roof that will serve as a community asset for neighbors and the thousands of people riding the trolleys. UCD will soon share information about the restaurant operator, selected through an RFP process. Once complete, the Portal will demonstrate the powerful combination of great urban design, infrastructure renewal, neighborhood support, and innovative responses to economic growth. This green demonstration project will increase transit ridership, serve University City’s critical jobs base, and elevate University City’s status as one of the most desirable and profitable places to live, work, and do business. UCD has raised more than $1.7 million from community residents, foundations, private supporters, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia, and the effort is a remarkable testament to the generosity of our community.
Parklet ProgramUniversity City District introduced Parklets — temporary seating platforms that replace one or two parking spaces with a small vibrant park — to Philadelphia in 2011. In 2015, UCD created and maintained 6 Parklets, including its largest yet: a 60-foot-long, 6-foot-wide wooden platform landscaped with lush plantings and furnished with nine café tables located at 40th Street between Sansom and Walnut streets. UCD research has found that Parklets are often highly social spaces that contribute substantially to sidewalk vitality and increase sales at adjacent businesses by 20%.
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Maintaining a Safeand Beautiful NeighborhoodUniversity City District is dedicated to improving the neighborhood. Our public space maintenance crews work seven days a week to clean and enhance more than 160 University City commercial and residential blocks. Our safety ambassadors patrol University City streets each day from 10am-3am, and provide walking escorts, vehicle assistance, and transports to homeless shelters.
UCD’s Landscaping VentureIn 2015, UCD launched this new program, designed to leverage the accomplishments of the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative with our in-depth experience of maintaining the physical vibrancy of University City. Participants in this landscape program received hundreds of hours of job-readiness andtechnical skill training, as well as exposure and connections to marquee landscaping employers. UCD hired three graduates full time as part of our landscape crew and is focused on providing horticulture services within the community. The Landscaping program was funded with support from the Job Opportunity Investment Network (JOIN) Win-Win challenge.
Investing in Neighborhood Assets
Project RehabLike nearly all thriving urban neighborhoods, University City has parcels and properties that are derelict, abandoned, underutilized, or otherwise not fulfilling their potential. These properties can have a devastating impact on their surrounding communities and they represent safety hazards, uncollected taxes, and costly demolition fees to the City.
In 2011, UCD established Project Rehab to transform problem properties into neighborhood assets. Working through a partnership of neighborhood groups and City agencies, Project Rehab works creatively and comprehensively to unlock the economic potential of vacant and underutilized properties and leverage private investment for their redevelopment. Since the program’s inception, Project Rehab has unlocked over $7 million dollars of real estate value in formerly problem properties, creating an additional $13 million dollars in value for adjacent properties.
The Dirt FactoryIn 2012, University City District transformed a vacant property on Market Street into a free community composting facility and education center. Since then, The Dirt Factory has made a significant difference in the community through organic waste collection and community education. The compost created from fallen leaves and food scraps has been used in community gardens and landscaping projects all around University City. The Dirt Factory has generated approximately 23 tons of finished compost that has been distributed to the community and used in UCD’s landscapting projects.
Building CommunityUniversity City District executes many community events to help bring neighbors and businesses together, from farmers’ markets and festivals, to movie screenings, to concerts, and other free events.
Baltimore Avenue Dollar StrollOne of the most popular and successful of these initiatives is the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll. Thousands of people flock to the area to sample $1 specials from local businesses and enjoy free entertainment.
University City Dining DaysIn 2015, University City Dining Days celebrated its eleventh anniversary. The promotion was designed to bring additional business and exposure to area restaurants during the typically slower summer season. Tens of thousands of diners take advantage of special menus and three-course dinners at dozens of delicious local restaurants.
Programming Outdoor SpacesThroughout The DistrictWhether it’s The Porch, Clark Park or a campus greenspace, UCD has activated many public spaces throughout the district. Through creative programming and partnerships, some of Philadelphia’s most-talented and diverse dance, musical, theater, and arts groups have been presented to the University City community and beyond.
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Networking Opportunities
Marketing and Promotion
Priority Business Services
Exclusive Access to Custom Market Research and Development Trends
SAMPLE DATA
Membership ProgramUniversity City District’s Membership Program connects leading businesses in and around University City with exclusive networking opportunities, custom research, and other members-only benefits while fueling UCD’s collective economic impact.
Networking and Information• Priority invitations to annual tours of University City development projects
• Priority access to custom market research, data runs and GIS analysis for project-planning purposes
• The opportunity to guide original research and analysis and shape ideas to improve the business climate and quality of life in University City
• Quarterly newsletter on University City development trends and market data, emailed exclusively to members.
• 100 copies of State of University City annual report for distribution to partners, stakeholders and tenants
Marketing and Promotion• Table/tent presence at one consumer-oriented UCD event each year (for example, Baltimore Avenue Stroll, 40th Street Summer Series, and Movies in Clark Park)
• Banner ads in up to three UCD e-newsletters per year; each is sent to a distribution list of 5,500 residents, students, partners and civic leaders
• Priority presence in UCD’s emerging residential marketing campaigns
Business Services• One day of free special event ambassador and/or public safety coverage at your University City property(ies)
• Priority access to graffiti removal services, special UCD trash pickups, move-in/move-out services and public space maintenance services
Collective Economic GrowthYour membership also supports core UCD services, including:
• 120,000 public safety patrol hours/year
• More than 4,400 nighttime walking escorts of University City students and residents to their homes
• 44,000 hours of public maintenance services/per year, including 90,000 bags of trash removed and 3,000 graffiti tags erased
• Major investments in University City public spaces and gateways, including The Porch at 30th Street Station, Market Street Bridge, the 40th Street Trolley Portal, pedestrian plazas and parklets
• Special events that attract more than 50,000 annual attendees from across the city and region
• Advertising and press partnerships that result in more than 1.3 million dollars of annual media value in selling University City
• Intensive, ongoing efforts to recruit retail prospects and support commercial corridors
For more information about UCD’s Membership Program, contact the development office at 215.243.0555.
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A very special thanks to ourState of University City sponsors:
ABM
Andropogon
Archer & Greiner P.C.
Homewood Suites by Hilton University City
Kleinbard, LLC
The Lighting Practice, Inc.
The Inn at Penn, A Hilton Hotel
Narducci Electric
Shechtman Marks Devor PC
Swirling Silks
Your Part-Time Controller
UCD Board
UCD StaffMatt Bergheiser Executive Director
Queen Aniatang Program Coordinator, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
Lori Klein Brennan Director, Marketing & Communications
Seth Budick Senior Manager, Policy and Research
Sarah Davis Director of Development
Nick Edelman Finance Director
Alan Garry Director, Public Safety and Community Services
Nate Hommel Director of Planning and Design
Sheila Ireland Vice President, Workforce Solutions West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
Maggie Langdon Office Manager / Program Assistant
Lt. Brian McBride Commanding Officer, UCD Philadelphia Police Substation
Joshua Park Center Manager, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
Tom Patterson Operations Manager, Public Space Maintenance Program
Chris Richman Writer & Social Media Manager
Shawn Ryan Graphic Design and Web Development Manager
Ryan Spak Manager, Project Rehab
Sharon Thompsonowak Program Manager, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
Alissa Weiss Strategic Initiatives Manager
Daniel Wolf Planner / Project Manager
UCD Staff
Craig Carnaroli, ChairmanExecutive Vice PresidentUniversity of Pennsylvania
James Tucker, Vice ChairmanSenior Vice President for Student Lifeand Administrative ServicesDrexel University
David Adelman, Vice ChairmanPresident and CEO, Campus Apartments
Joseph Trainor, TreasurerChief Financial Officer, Wistar Institute
Maureen Rush, SecretaryVice President for Public SafetyUniversity of Pennsylvania
Madeline BellPresident and Chief Operating OfficerThe Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Della ClarkPresident, The Enterprise Center
Jamie GauthierCommunity RepresentativeGarden Court Community Association
Julian GoreskoCommunity RepresentativeWalnut Hill Community Association
Barry GrossbachCommunity RepresentativeSpruce Hill Community Association
Curt HessSenior Vice President of Real EstateUniversity City Science Center
Lindsay JohnstonPresident, Common Ground Realtors
Michael JonesCommunity RepresentativePowelton Village Civic Association
Thomas KlaritchExecutive Vice PresidentHCP Medical Office Properties
Daniel LiberatoscioliPresidentThe Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
Donald MelnickPresident, National Board of Medical Examiners
Mark MillsOwner, Metropolis Group / 40th Street Live
Brad PaulCo-Owner and General ManagerCentral City & Ardmore Toyota
Susan PhillipsSenior Vice President for Public AffairsUniversity of Pennsylvania Health System
Joe Reagan, Jr.Vice President, DevelopmentWexford Science and Technology
Joe RitchieVice President of DevelopmentBrandywine Realty Trust
William SchwartzCo-Founder, INTECH Construction
Nelson ShafferChief Administrative OfficerPennoni Associates, Inc.
Douglas SmithVice President, External AffairsVerizon Pennsylvania
Tanya SteinbergPresident & Chief Executive OfficerInternational House
John VitaliVice President for Finance & AdministrationUniversity of the Sciences
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Conrad Erb: pages 1, 3, 4, 26, 46, 50
Ben Tran: pages: 9, 18, 19, 34, 48, 49, 54, 55, 67, 68, 70, 71
Ryan Collerd: pages 28, 29, 56, 66, 67, 69
Jeff Fusco: pages 39, 45, 47
The Sheward Partnership, LLC: pages 8, 15
Ballinger: page 63
3940 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.243.0555
To make a secure, online donation to UCD, please visit:
www.universitycity.org/donate
facebook.com/universitycity
twitter.com/ucdphl
instagram.com/universitycity
universitycity.org
Photographs by:
