Current Projects
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Drexel Project Updates as of July 2024
Academic Resources Center (ARC): Renovation work continues inside Korman to create the ARC. The ARC provides space for student support services in a central and visible location. The donor-funded project includes 4,500 square feet consisting of a seminar room, study space, tutoring space and office space, and is anticipated to be complete in the fall of 2024.
Building Energy Performance: In keeping with both the University’s goal of reducing energy and citywide mandates on energy reduction, the University is continuing inspections and repairs on buildings scheduled for submission by Sept. 30, 2024. Current work pertains to the Academy of Natural Sciences, Queen Lane, 1427 Vine Street and 219 N. Broad Street.
Electrical Replacements: Construction on projects to replace Stratton Hall switchgear and Disque Hall motor control centers is in progress, with completion expected in August 2024.
Façade Renovations: The sidewalk around the Academic Building remains protected as Drexel prepares to advance façade repairs on the historic building. Work is expected to begin in winter 2024.
Infrastructure Upgrades: The Andover AC256 building automation system (BAS) in several buildings requires a replacement to newer BAS system, which will allow for better control of the buildings, troubleshooting and energy optimization. Main Building Rooms 304 and 305 received a new HVAC system designed for the art collection. The Bentley Hall data center's existing HVAC system will be replaced with a new energy efficient HVAC system beginning in October, with substantial completion in late fall.
IT Data Centers and Closets Renovations: Over the next several years, data closets in 25 buildings are to be renovated to include emergency power, HVAC and/or security; design for the first and second groups of buildings have been completed. Construction is ongoing for the first group of buildings.
Laboratory Renovations: In the Center for Automation Technology, Suite 460, two environmental chambers and associated infrastructure began renovations in May, with substantial completion expected in fall 2024.
Myers Hall Demolition and Development of Green Space: The University completed phase one of the demolition of Myers Residence Hall and the remainder of the building will be demolished by Fall 2024. A small, new switchgear building is now in place. A new campus green space will be constructed and open in the fall of 2024.
Vidas Athletic Complex: Construction has begun for the installation of a new synthetic field and infrastructure to install the Buckley Bubble just north of Freil Fieldhouse at the Vidas Athletic Complex.
Partner Project Updates as of July 2024
3201 Cuthbert Street (Gattuso Development Partners): Structural steel erection is ongoing for Gattuso Development Partners’ 509,000 SF life sciences development at 3201 Cuthbert Street. Cambridge-based Smart Labs, one of the leading lab management firms in the United States, has signed a lease for 117,000 SF of the building. Drexel will have both a ground-floor presence and exclusive use of the 11th floor, occupying around 60,000 SF total to house core research and business outreach operations, as well as much-needed laboratory and office space for appropriate components in the College of Engineering and/or School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems. Gattuso Development expects this project to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Chestnut Street Mid-Block Crosswalk: In summer 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation completed installing a new mid-block crosswalk and traffic light on Chestnut Street between 33rd and 32nd streets.
Spark Therapeutics Development at F Lot: Spark Therapeutics has completed the steel frame for its new Gene Therapy Innovation Center being developed on campus through a 99-year ground lease of Drexel’s former F Lot. The anticipated 500,000-square-foot, multi-story building will serve as a Roche global center of excellence for gene therapy manufacturing and will create opportunities for collaboration with Drexel and Philadelphia’s life sciences community. Spark expects this project to be complete for occupancy with offices and labs in 2026, with full gene therapy manufacturing to come in 2027.
Schuylkill Yards (Brandywine Realty Trust): Brandywine continues to work with potential operators for a food hall on the ground floor of the building. The new SEPTA Headhouse adjacent to Drexel Square is complete and was formally opened in April.
Construction is ongoing, with the superstructure and facade now completed, at 3151 Market Street for the development of a new stand-alone lab building that will accommodate approximately 450,000 square feet of lab and lab-support spaces. Construction is anticipated to be complete in summer 2024.