The stretch of Chestnut Street on Drexel’s campus has been drastically changed with the new, state-of-the-art Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building. Now, it’s Market Street’s turn.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at it, but the site that is currently home to the shell that was once Matheson Hall will eventually become a 12-story, 177,500 square-foot business center that will house the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business at 33rd and Market Streets. It’s a massive project; students and passersby should get used to the construction-zone look for at least the next two years.
This week, workers are scheduled to take down the pedestrian bridge that connects the Pearlstein Business Learning Center and Matheson. Once the bridge is down, a covered, ground-level walkway will be installed in the area between Pearlstein and the construction site to allow easy walking access into the heart of campus. The new building is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013 and occupied in the spring of 2014.
On Wednesday, October 5 at 11 a.m., a ceremonial launch to the demolition will be held, with Dean George Tsetsekos presiding. By November, Matheson Hall should be stripped down to its foundation and groundbreaking for construction of the new building will be held in the spring.
You can follow this exciting building project as it happens at www.buildinglebow.com. The site features regular construction updates, videos, floor plans and renderings and a form to share favorite Matheson memories.
The project moved from planning to reality thanks to a $45 million commitment from the College’s namesake, Bennett S. LeBow. His gift is the largest in Drexel’s history.