Penn recently obtained full ownership of The Axis, an apartment building located at 36th and Ludlow streets.
The deal follows a nearly 20 year period during which the University held a 50% interest in the property, according to Associate Vice President of Real Estate Services Rachel Siegert. The seven-story building, valued at $9.4 million, also served as Penn student housing during the 2024-25 academic year while Ware College House underwent renovations.
“When the other partners decided to exit their investment, Penn acquired their interests, the partnership was dissolved, and title transferred directly to the University,” Siegert wrote. “The transaction provided Penn with an opportunity to simplify the ownership structure of The Axis.”
Siegert added that the building’s existing management team will continue to operate the property. The Axis is one of around 80 communities operated under Altman Management Company, which manages properties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The 130-unit building was built in 1925 and sold for $7 million in 2010.
During the 2024-25 academic year, students living in The Axis each had their own private bathroom, a refrigerator, televisions, and occasionally a walk-in closet. Just under half of the residents were second-year students, around 7-8% were transfers, and the remaining residents were upperclassmen, according to Residential Services at the time.
While the Quad renovations were underway, the University also leased the Radian — an apartment complex on Walnut Street — from August 2023 to August 2026.
Penn’s acquisition of The Axis comes after a summer of housing developments and two major property purchases in University City.
In June, Penn and real estate company Greystar announced a redevelopment project for Sansom Place West — the University’s last on-campus graduate student housing option — which closed at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. The building is set to reopen by the start of the 2027-28 academic year with 448 apartments.
The two entities previously collaborated on the $94.5 million renovation of Sansom Place East, now known as the Accolade on Chestnut. The project was completed in 2023 after students complained about poor living conditions.
This summer, Penn purchased the property formerly occupied by Hummus Grill near 40th and Walnut streets for $4 million after the Mediterranean restaurant closed in May. New York City-based restaurant 7th Street Burger is set to open a new location there later this year.
The University also acquired Tabernacle United Church for $6.5 million. The church, which has long had a relationship with Penn, will continue holding services and housing Penn Live Arts’ Iron Gate Theatre.
Senior reporter James Wan leads administration reporting and can be reached at wan@thedp.com. At Penn, he studies communication and computer science. Follow him on X @JamesWan__.
