LIFE SCIENCE ADVANCEMENT IN PHILADELPHIA

PETER D’ANTONIO | HUNTER ROBERTS CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC

It’s an exciting time for the life sciences sector in Philadelphia, and Hunter Roberts is proud to play a part in growing this sector. As seasoned builders within the city, we have seen a major shift in recent years from commercial office development to the life sciences sector, which can be heavily attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have been able to successfully enter the life science market through research, forging new relationships, and educating our professional staff.

Hunter Roberts is currently constructing the life science development at 2300 Market Street. Developed by Breakthrough Properties, this project will consolidate three existing sites on the block between 23rd and 24th, Market and Ludlow Streets to create an 8-story, 225,000 SF, state-of-the-art life science and laboratory facility.

To make way for the planned development, two existing buildings that were beyond their useful life were demolished. The terracotta façade from one of the demolished buildings was disassembled and stored offsite. The façade will be reconditioned and reinstalled on part of the new structure to maintain an authentic streetscape that blends the old with the new. The third building, located on the corner of 23rd and Market, will have its façade restored and structure strengthened to support the addition and overbuild.

Situated at the intersection of Center City and University City, 2300 Market Street offers a prime location for future tenants with access to world-leading institutions and vibrant lifestyle amenities alike. To take advantage of the prime location, and create a prominent structure, the project was designed with the building on the lot line. This presented a few unique construction challenges which the project team was able to overcome through extensive planning, coordination with neighboring properties, and constant communication. For example, the tower crane had to be placed in the center of the building, requiring an infill sequence of work once the crane is removed.

The hoist will be placed on the sidewalk which requires one lane of Market Street to be closed and the smaller-than-normal exterior dock will expand inside the new second floor to facilitate deliveries.

The latest major milestone for this project was the placement of the final steel beam. On May 31st, a topping off ceremony was held to celebrate the progress that has already been made, and to watch the final steel beam get raised into place. During the ceremony, Hunter Roberts Superintendent, Sean Baron, put into words why this life science project is so significant. “This is a life science building. This could change the life of somebody down the line. It could change our community” he says. Sean then went on to remind the entire team how the work they are putting in to construct this significant project is incredibly important. This understanding of how important this life science project is to the community, and future lives, serves as a motivator to the team to continue with construction progress.

Construction for the project is expected to finish in February 2025. Once complete, the new steel structure will rise over and around the existing structure forming an intricate conglomerate of steel and concrete. The facility will be equipped with N+1 redundancy in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure to support wet lab research. The facility will feature flexible lab zones that can accommodate various research uses, as well as a café and lounge, open air terrace, fitness center, and other amenities tailored to biotechnology companies. The building aims to receive LEED Gold Certification.

The 2300 Market Street project will tremendously advance the life science market in Philadelphia.