Wexford Science & Technology, LLC and its development partners, Ventas, Inc. and the University City Science Center, today celebrated the official opening of its newest building, One uCity Square, with a ribbon cutting and community block party. The 400,000 square foot building, located at 37th & Cuthbert Streets, is the latest addition to the vibrant and growing uCity Square Knowledge Community; a hub of research, academics, innovation, commercial activity, and community inclusion. Governor Josh Shapiro, Mayor Jim Kenney, and many of uCity Square’s tenants, community members, and business leaders were in attendance.
“My Administration is all in on growing the life sciences industry in Pennsylvania – because I know it’s a crucial part to fostering economic growth in Pennsylvania,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “I want to thank Wexford and all our community partners for their commitment to growing and investing in Pennsylvania.
University City is truly an innovation powerhouse – and today’s grand opening of One uCity Square is a prime example of the kinds of investments we want to keep making in Pennsylvania. This is only the beginning and I’m looking forward to working with you to support the next innovator, the next investment, and the next opportunity in bioscience research.”
Construction began in 2020 on the $300 million building, which is now over 90% leased with anchor tenants including Penn Medicine’s Institute for RNA Innovation and Penn Engineering’s Center for Precision Engineering in Health. Commercial tenants include Century Therapeutics (NASDAQ: IPSC), Integral Molecular, Exponent (NASDAQ: EXPO), and Charles River Laboratories (NYSE: CRL); all of whom are pursuing groundbreaking healthcare discoveries
and innovative technologies at One uCity.
“The University of Pennsylvania’s decision to position key research labs in One uCity Square paired with the momentum with which high growth companies choose to locate in the building is further validation of the importance of the uCity Square Knowledge Community as an inclusive hub of university research, corporate engagement, start-up activity, community programming, and quality-of-life amenities,” said John Grady, Senior Vice President and Northeast Region Executive for Wexford Science & Technology.
One uCity Square is a 13-story natural light-filled lab and office building with ground floor retail and convening space, complete with private outdoor terraces and onsite parking for vehicles and bicycles. The building is anticipated to achieve a LEED Silver® certification. One uCity Square overlooks a new, central public space called The Square that hosted a community block party following the ribbon cutting. The Square will be activated with community events including yoga, movies, concerts, food trucks, and more – and later this year, will welcome a new public art canopy in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia. Additionally, 37th Street between Market Street and Warren Street, and Cuthbert and Warren Streets between 37th and 38th Streets, were reintroduced back into the city’s street grid, further enhancing the neighborhood’s accessibility and walkability.
“The continued growth of uCity Square and its ability to attract and retain leading talent and companies make it a powerful focal point for the sustained growth and international leadership in life sciences that Philadelphia has achieved over the past decade,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
Over the next decade, Wexford Science & Technology, University City Science Center, and Ventas, Inc. will continue to develop uCity Square to include an additional 4 million square feet of laboratory, office, retail, residential, and shared public space—growing the innovation district to a total of 8 million square feet and spanning 11 city blocks.
“Twenty years ago, Integral Molecular embarked on a journey of scientific innovation. Proudly rooted in Philadelphia, we’re thrilled for this next chapter to unfold,” said Sharon Willis, PhD, Co-Founder of Integral Molecular. “uCity Square is more than just lab and office space; it also represents a dynamic cluster of talent, innovation, collaboration, and opportunity that helps our recruiting, research, partnerships, and productivity.”
One uCity Square was designed by ZGF Architects. Turner Construction and McKissak (MBE) were the general contractors with MEP and structural engineering provided by AKF and Keast & Hood (WBE) respectively. Andropogon Associates, Ltd. (MBE) delivered landscape architecture for uCity Square. Wexford is proud that One uCity Square achieved all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, including for employment, procurement, and apprenticeships.
