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 two towers are collectively entitled JFK Towers and house 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 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 are built out as follows:

• East tower: Approximately 512 feet tall with retail on the ground level, 34 floors of office space and amenity space on the 13^th floor
• West tower: Approximately 360 feet tall with retail on the ground level, amenities on the 9^th floor and residential, office and life sciences space filling out the rest

In planning and designing the towers, Brandywine Realty Trust and HDR saw an opportunity to capitalize on 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.

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