The project is the product of an institutional/private partnership between the multi-pronged institutional entities comprised of: the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Parish of St. Agatha and St. James, and the private developer, EQT Exeter.

The project is a series of contiguous institutionally owned parcels and buildings at the heart of Philadelphia’s University City to create the new Penn/Drexel Newman Center and The Chestnut at University City. The 1.36-acre complex project involved a unity-of-use site redevelopment that redefined the buildings and open spaces.

The institutional development is the Penn/Drexel Newman Center. This state-of-the-art facility integrates two stately buildings through a new glass-enclosed garden. The Center’s program includes a large 200-seat meeting space, large prep kitchen, meeting rooms, offices and a chapel. The buildings are accessed through an entry court off 38th Street, and a green courtyard off Chestnut Street – a contemplative oasis and a vessel for outdoor masses, receptions, and events.

The private development is The Chestnut at University City, a mixed-use residential tower. Extensive amenities include coworking, lounges, and a sky deck pool. At the base is retail and a soaring 2-story lobby atrium that connects the landscaped courtyards that flank the building. Designed as a “tower-in-the-garden”, the indoor-outdoor spaces providing an elegant setting for gracious urban living at the heart of University City.

The positive impact shored up the Newman Center and the Parish, injecting new life to serve its mission. Both serve the Penn and Drexel University Communities through various community and spiritual programs. The project has afforded stability to those activities.

The project site is well tied into public transit network of a bus and trolley. All existing surface parking lots were removed. New planting requires minimal irrigation and achieves a 50% water reduction. Pavers reflection reduce the heat island effect. Trees and plantings enhance open space and provide shade across it.

Bookended by stately churches, this development is unique in the quantity and quality of carefully integrated buildings, courtyards and interconnected outdoor spaces, woven into the adjacent campus and fabric of University City. The project has been praised for the sensitivity to its historic neighbors and its thoughtful engagement of its community.

The development’s highly successful private/institutional sector partnership incorporated three distinct entities and development projects to create a win-win situation for all involved – including the community. Financially and physically, the end results surpassed all expectations. The project has been deemed a success for its urbanely engaging design and near flawless execution.

The Chestnut at University City has been extremely well-received by the market, namely the University of Pennsylvania-affiliated population. The project, which opened during the COVID-19 pandemic, is 100% leased.

The Newman Center has tremendously benefitted from arrangement as it financed construction of the new Center and repairs and accessibility improvements to the Saints Agatha & James church and generated funds to support its mission. The new facilities have attracted new users and generated space lease revenue to fund ongoing activities.

Project Partners:

• Owner/ Developer: The Chestnut at University City – EQT Exeter
• Owner/ Developer: The Penn/ Drexel Newman Center – St. Agatha – St. James Parish
• Architect/ Designer – SITIO architecture + urbanism
• Architect of Record: The Chestnut at University City – NELSON Worldwide
• Structural Engineer – IMEG (The Harman Group)
• MEP Engineer – BALA Consulting Engineers
• Civil Engineer – Urban Engineers
• Landscape Architect – Studio Bryan Hanes
• Envelope Consulting – RWDI
• Interior Designer – Floss Barber