The joint venture of Skanska USA and Shoemaker Construction Co. announced the grand opening of Fashion District Philadelphia, a premier entertainment and retail destination spanning three city blocks in Center City, Philadelphia. The celebration on September 19 kicked off a weekend of events for area-residents and visitors alike to experience all that Fashion District Philadelphia has to offer.
Located at the site of the former Gallery Mall, Fashion District Philadelphia is the largest retail repositioning project in the Greater Philadelphia Region. The project is owned and operated by a joint venture of Macerich and PREIT and is a critical piece of the revitalization of East Market Street.
The approximately 1.4 million-square-foot interior and exterior renovation included selective structural demolition; new structural and architectural construction; modifications and additions to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems; replacement of all common area floor finishes, ceilings and lighting, neutral columns and storefront bulkheads and related core and shell work.
The project also included extensive transformation of the façade, sidewalks, and streetscapes, including the dramatic all-glass entrance designed by JPRA Architects. Known as The Cube, the new entryway located at 9th and Market Streets features 170 panels of glass and reaches nearly 70 feet high.
“We are proud to partner with Shoemaker on delivering Fashion District Philadelphia, which breathes new life into the East Market corridor,” said Todd Lofgren, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Skanska’s greater Philadelphia Metro, New Jersey and Delaware building operations. “Skanska’s global experience renovating major transportation hubs and retail centers, coupled with Shoemaker’s local site knowledge, allowed our teams to help Macerich and PREIT deliver a world-class retail and entertainment destination that will help spur economic development in the region for years to come.”
“Shoemaker has been part of the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley community for more than 75 years. We are honored to be part of creating this important lifestyle and retail hub for the Center City residents,” said Maura Hesdon, General Manager of Shoemaker Construction Co. “We are also extremely pleased to have had significant diversity participation from labor and the local minority and women owned business community. This project demonstrates our continued commitment to providing equal opportunity in all phases of construction projects.”
“Over 40 years after the opening of The Gallery in 1977, PREIT, Skanska and Shoemaker have come together again to build a reimagined destination with The District,” said Joseph F. Coradino, CEO of PREIT. “We have all worked hard throughout the process to ensure we could deliver our vision of offering the newest critical mass of retail, dining and entertainment in Philadelphia – and we’re so thrilled to welcome the community into The District starting today and for years to come.”
Currently, more than 80 percent of the available space in Fashion District Philadelphia is leased or in active negotiations. The project focuses on four key areas: style, dining, entertainment, and arts and culture. Recent additions include dining options such as first-to-market City Winery, Chickie’s & Pete’s and Burger Fi; retail offerings including H&M, Forever 21, Asics and ULTA Beauty; a third-floor entertainment zone with an AMC Theatre; and art installations fostering positive change and civic engagement.
Skanska’s building experience in the Philadelphia/New Jersey/Delaware region includes such projects as the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion Addition at the Franklin Institute, University of Delaware East Campus Residence Hall, SugarHouse Casino, Inspira Health Mullica Hill Hospital and Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health Systems Women and Children’s Health Building, Swarthmore College Biology, Engineering & Psychology Building, American Airlines Terminal F expansion and baggage claim at Philadelphia International Airport, and the Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children.
Shoemaker’s recent Philadelphia area projects include Amtrak’s 30th Street Station West Plaza Replacement, Villanova University’s SAC Garage Overbuild Expansion, Temple University Hospital’s Ontario Garage Replacement, Hope Partnership for Education’s Quint Learning Center, 801 Market St. Masonry Preservation, Chestnut Hill College’s Clement Hall Window Replacement, Philadelphia Housing Authority Headquarters at Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia Housing Authority North Central Phase Two featuring 89 new homes.
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