Though Penn's move eastward dominated much of the conversation about campus expansion over the summer, several projects closer to Penn's core have also been under way. Construction continued through the muggy Philadelphia summer, and students are returning to a newly completed building and a rapidly changing campus.
Construction at Skirkanich Hall finished in June, and classes will be starting in September. The official opening, however, is scheduled for Oct. 28.
After two years of construction and $42.2 million, Skirkanich is an addition to the School of Engineering and Applied Science. This new bioengineering facility houses classrooms, offices and wet lab space and was designed by world-renowned architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.
The Inn at Penn is undergoing the second phase of a $9 million renovation project to repair water damage. Pedestrian traffic is somewhat obstructed along the 3600 block of Walnut Street because of scaffolding.
Domus, a planned eight-story luxury apartment complex at 34th and Chestnut streets, is slated to be complete by the fall of 2007. Along with 290 apartments, a heated outdoor pool, a WiFi Internet cafe and an assortment of retail stores on the street level, the complex will feature an installation of public art created by Dennis Oppenheim.
Domus has an estimated cost of $71 million and is being developed by the Hanover Co., which will lease it for 65 years.
Businesses will begin to vacate the 3900 block of Walnut Street in preparation for construction that will begin in early 2007. The block will eventually house a mixed-use building featuring apartments specifically marketed to undergrads and also contain first-floor real estate.
The Hub, a 10-story building at 40th and Chestnut streets, is currently under construction and will begin hosting some of the relocated businesses from the 3900 block of Walnut Street this fall. With a cost of $23 million, the Hub has both retail space and apartments.
