Developing situations: Place for parents, patients
by solomon d. leach / metro philadelphia
NOV 12, 2008
UNIVERSITY CITY. Families visiting the University of Pennsylvania or either
of the university’s hospitals could soon be taking solace in a new
extended-stay hotel in University City.
Campus Apartments, a campus-housing developer, and Hersha Hotels plan to
start construction on a 10-story Hilton Homewood Suites at 40th and Pine
Streets
early next year. The project got a $2 million loan last week from the state’s
Building Pennsylvania program, which invests in development that will create
good-paying construction jobs.
The project still needs approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustments as it
seeks to adapt the David Leas Mansion, but has already gotten the thumbs up
from the Planning Commission and conceptual approval from the Philadelphia
Historical Commission.
“With all the extended stay demand generated by the health system, Penn and
[Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania], that’s why we’re developing this
property where we are,” said Tom Lussenhop, a partner in Hersha.
The 115-room hotel, which will feature spacious rooms with kitchens, is
pushing ahead despite the economic downturn because it depends on business from
the hospitals and universities, which is year-round, Lussenhop noted.
Some neighbors complained the hotel would steal scarce parking from
residents, while others feared the owners might turn the building to a rental
property if the hotel failed.
Developers said neither of those would happen, pointing to a deal with three
parking garages in the area for 75 spaces and a long lease with Hilton.
John Farnham, head of the Historical Commission, said the hotel would fix up
the aging building, which was considered an excellent Colonial house.
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