Updated 3.28.13. Most of the renderings below show the potential relationship between Lancaster Square’s dining hall and the retail/residential portion of the development. From the images, it seems that a beautiful exposed steel truss is being considered as part of the dining hall structure. Take a look:
Updated 3.22.13. The Lancaster Square development (34th Street and Lancaster Avenue) will include a dining hall with a variety of culinary options. Below are three possibilities for the future layout:
After completion, the interior of the Lancaster Square dining hall might appear similar to the renderings below:
Updated 3.18.13. Lancaster Square, the future mixed-use (retail and residential) development at 34th Street and Lancaster Avenue, could potentially look like the site simulations below when the project has been completed:
Updated 5.30.2012. A Request For Proposals is being issued to selected developers who have expressed interest in proposing on a new mixed-use student housing and retail development on what is currently the site of the Hess Laboratories at the intersection of 34th Street & Lancaster Avenue:
The purposes of the project are to supply the beds necessary to support the sophomore housing requirement, expand dining options for students, and invigorate retail at the base of the Lancaster Avenue corridor while conforming to the Master Plan principle of the comfortable five-minute walk:
The RFP describes a development with as many as 1200 beds, which would increase Drexel’s University-Owned or Affiliated housing from 4,625 to 5,825 beds. The solution will necessarily be tall, but in proportion which other residence halls on 34th Street:
The greatest number of beds would be massed along 34th Street, where the site slopes significantly from north-west to south-east:
The character of the development would be consistent with the “Main Street” feel of Lancaster Avenue to the north and west, but would reflect the urban nature of Market Street to the south and east.
I think this will be a very exciting development that has the potential to jump start retail along Lancaster Avenue in addition to providing a big boost in on-campus housing for students. I think the massing of the building will be important and if possible be away from the Community Education Center to the West, perhaps the tower could be an “L” shaped building along 34th Street and Warren. Service entrances and parking access can hopefully be from Warren street to the rear.
When might this project begin? Does this development precede the Superblock?
Drexel has an RFP prepared for this site, but is still completing preliminary studies of the superblock, including the role of the Bulletin Building and the character of Philadelphia’s “Sixth Square,” the intersection of 30th & Market Streets. The development of the two sites is decoupled.
Love the angels of this building. When is construction expected to start?
We hope to start this coming summer, but cannot assume City approval, a process which will unfold in the coming months.