Revitalizing Urban Space With a Live-Work-Innovate Hub

Two mixed-use towers on one of the most prominent urban revitalization sites in the United States, Philadelphia’s Schuylkill Yards, have been designed along JFK Boulevard adjacent to 30th Street Station. The East and West Towers contain over 1.5 million square feet of office, life science, residential and retail space framing a new one-acre public open space entitled High Line Plaza. Located adjacent to Amtrak’s 30th Street Station and proximate to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University in Philadelphia, the towers create a hub for research and collaboration between professional and educational groups.

The towers’ massing will be a prominent landmark in the skyline of Philadelphia and contain the following program elements:

• East tower: Approximately 500 feet tall with retail on the ground level, 34 floors of office space and amenity space on the 13th floor.
• West tower: Approximately 360 feet tall with retail on the ground level, life science and office space on levels 2 through 8, indoor/outdoor amenity space on the 9th floor and residential on floors 10 through 28. 

In planning and designing the towers, Brandywine Realty Trust recognized the growing demand for life science space in University City and shifted the program of several floors within the mixed-use West Tower to serve life science users. HDR assessed the feasibility of creating life sciences laboratories, which included creating divisibility for different tenants as well as flexibility to accommodate a variety of research needs while also respecting the residential floors above. This study ultimately resulted in a modified program that more successfully addressed current market trends.

The West Tower was completed in 2024, and the East Tower is projected to be completed in 2027. 

HDR was the architect of record, while PAU served as the design architect on this project.