Philadelphia Children’s Hospital Continues Expansions
By Fay Harvey
PHILADELPHIA — The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is adding another building to the city’s skyline with the construction of the $2.59 billion New Patient Tower (NPT), continuing its mission to provide cutting-edge care for patients and families.
The more than 20-story, 1.3 million-square-foot hospital will feature 480 state-of-the-art clinics, cutting-edge technology and advanced departments.
A bright, three-story lobby with a grand staircase will greet guests in the main entrance. The upper floors will house hundreds of patient beds in private rooms outfitted with modern digital tools and technology. Guests can also find a centralized third-floor connector with dining options and areas for relaxation and meditation. Cardiac operation and imaging spaces will feature advanced diagnostic and treatment tools, and surgical suites are designed with flexibility in mind to ensure smooth and efficient surgeries. Outdoor spaces are full of greenery, places for shade and plenty of walking space. A new, expanded parking structure will connect to the interior of the CHOP campus.
Philadelphia-based architect Ballinger and Oregon-based ZGF Architects collaborated on design, and local firm Langan is providing geospatial services, land surveying and site and civil management. East-coast based Envision Consultants will manage logistics, scheduling and consultation needs.
The NPT is part of CHOP’s $3.4 billion plan to improve capacity of West Philadelphia’s medical facilities for pediatric care and is set to open in 2028.
This past October, CHOP purchased a 3.2-acre, $24.75 million property in Grays Ferry to continue this expansion. In addition to the NPT, a 17-story, 350,000-square-foot, LEED-targeted research building, the Schuylkill Avenue Research Building, is currently in development. The center, designed by architecture company New York-based Cannon Design, features a primarily glass exterior with an interior devoted to research, collaboration, lectures and laboratories. The research center is expected to open in 2025.