The University of Pennsylvania has confirmed plans to build a new office tower in West Philadelphia that will be dedicated to Penn Medicine corporate functions and childcare for employees of the health system.
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Susan Phillips, a spokeswoman for Penn Medicine, said the first phase of the project will be a 250,000-square-foot non-clinical office building at 3600 Civic Center Boulevard. The eight-story tower, to be called the Center for Healthcare Technology, will be focused on information technology and human resources.
A second phase of the project will include an additional 290,000 square feet, taking the building to 18 stories and a total of 540,000 square feet. The expansion will support future requirements that have yet to be disclosed.
Architecture firm Will + Perkins will lead in the design of the building, which will prioritize sustainability and incorporate bike lanes to connect to surrounding trails and rail systems.
The project's announcement comes after the City Planning Commission's approved of a new hospital building to replace the existing Penn Tower at 300 S. 33rd Street.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2017 next to a parking garage currently at the site.