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Drexel Project Updates as of March 2023

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 September 2023. Current work pertains to the Creese Student Center, Disque Hall, Korman Center, MacAlister Hall, Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building, Stratton Hall and W.W. Hagerty Library.

Electrical Replacements: Stratton Hall switchgear and Disque Hall motor control center replacements project is currently in the bidding process for engineering design, with bids due by end of March 2023. Design is tentatively due to be completed by November 2023, with construction to tentatively start in November 2023 and be completed in June 2024.

Façade Renovations: In keeping with both the University’s goal of maintaining its buildings and citywide mandates for façade repairs, the University is undertaking repairs on Main Building and Curtis Hall. Scaffolding has been removed, and some minor work – including additional targeted masonry cleaning and painting and restoration of the Main Building Auditorium’s wood windows – will occur this spring.

Fire Protection/Plumbing Replacements: Korman Center and URBN Center data centers require a dry chemical fire suppression system to replace the existing water system, the design is completed, are currently in the construction bidding process with tentative construction completion by end of June 2023. Caneris Hall stormwater system upgrades are currently in engineering design with tentative completion of May 2023.

HVAC Replacements: Main Building cooling tower construction will be completed by end of March 2023. Ross Commons is currently undergoing several HVAC upgrades to replace air handling units and heat exchangers that have reached the end of their useful life and will be complete by end of June 2023. The Disque Hall Lab 513 renovation construction will be completed by end of March 2023. Disque Hall helium recovery system engineering design is currently in progress and tentatively due to be completed by the end of April 2023. IT Data Closets across the University need to be upgraded to include emergency power and/or HVAC in each room due to existing IT equipment/systems reaching the end of their useful life, engineering design started in mid-March 2023. Nesbitt Hall steam to water heat exchanger upgrades is a joint venture with Vicinity Energy to replace the existing equipment with new, design is currently in process with tentatively construction completion in September 2023. Main Building room 304/305 HVAC upgrades design is completed and construction currently out to bid with a tentative construction completion in April 2024. Randell Hall room B37A and Academic room 505 will have minor ductwork renovations due to processes in each room with tentative completion by end of May 2023.

Kelly Hall Renovation and Expansion: Construction is ongoing for the renovation and expansion of Kelly Hall, addressing the needs of the building and modernizing it throughout to provide an improved living experience, with occupancy in fall 2023. The renovation includes an addition to provide flexible open space, which will be used to create a cohesive living-learning community and a stronger physical presence for the occupants of the building along Spangler Walk. Renovation of the tower is currently underway; at the addition, foundations have been poured and steel erection is in progress.

Laboratory Renovations: Disque Hall Lab 513 renovation construction will be completed by end of March 2023. Disque Hall helium recovery system engineering design is currently in progress and tentatively due to be completed by the end of April 2023. Disque Lab 602/603 renovation design is currently in progress and tentatively due to be completed by the end of April 2023.

Third-Party Project Updates as of March 2023

Drexel University Health Sciences Building (Wexford Science & Technology): Substantial completion of the new, state-of-the-art Health Sciences Building was achieved early this summer. The College of Nursing and Health Professions, which occupies roughly three-fifths of the building, moved into the building in time for fall classes to begin. Equipment installation is ongoing, and various academic and administrative functions of the College of Medicine are scheduled to relocate to the remainder of the building in 2023. The building totals about 460,000 rentable square feet, within which Drexel has a nearly 30-year lease.

3201 Cuthbert Street (Gattuso Development Partners): Gattuso Development Partners have begun demolition and foundations on the former Buckley Recreational Field site for their 509,000 SF life sciences development at 3201 Cuthbert Street. The ceremonial groundbreaking for this project was held on Feb. 8. 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 penthouse 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 School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems. Gattuso Development expects this project to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Spark Therapeutics Development at F Lot: Site excavation and construction mobilization have begun on site for Spark Therapeutics’ new, state-of-the-art gene therapy innovation center being developed on  campus through a 99-year ground lease of Drexel’s 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 booming life sciences community. Spark expects this project to be complete in 2026.

Schuylkill Yards (Brandywine Realty Trust): Brandywine has a letter of intent with an operator of a food hall in the Market Street retail area of Bulletin Building and is renovating the space for them now, with an anticipated occupancy date in fall 2023. Construction continues on SEPTA’s Headhouse adjacent to Drexel Square, with completion anticipated in late 2023.

Construction of Brandywine’s 570,000-square-foot, mixed-use building, dubbed The West Tower at Schuylkill Yards, is on schedule and on budget, with completion anticipated in October 2023. The building will add a mix of residential rental units, life science and innovation office space, retail, and indoor/outdoor amenity spaces. The superstructure for the entire building  is complete, and enclosure of the exterior wall is proceeding and near completion. 

Demolition of the existing garage and bank building at 3151 Market Street is complete for the development of a new stand-alone lab building that will accommodate approximately 450,000 SF of lab and lab-support spaces. Construction is anticipated to be complete in the summer of 2024. Brandywine is actively negotiating with a significant lead tenant from the bio-science field. Drexel is also exploring the possibility of leasing space in the building to accommodate various physical science laboratories.