Transforming the Modern Urban University

Drexel University Campus Master Plan

 From the President

T here is an iterative process involved in creating a great university

campus. The ideas that animate the institution must inform the
design of its physical environment. In turn, that environment will
inspire new ideas, ultimately resulting in a university better able to
fulfill its mission.
I am proud to present Drexel’s Campus Master Plan, developed
alongside our new strategic plan, “Transforming the Modern Urban
University.” Both plans are the fruit of a year-long, University-wide
effort to determine how Drexel could expand our impact on the
world, and what types of spaces will best help us do that.
These are just a few of the ideas about our University that inspired
this plan:
• Drexel is both beneficiary and co-creator of our urban environ-
ment, and we have a responsibility to imagine a campus that
strengthens Philadelphia and the region.
• Drexel’s success depends on collaboration within and outside our
University community, and we will thrive by building spaces that
bring people together.
• Drexel sits at one of the great transportation hubs of the East
Coast, and through our campus design we can welcome people
from all over to take part in our innovation community.
A good plan accounts for both the expected and the unexpected.
I am excited to see how our campus will be changed by projects
already underway, by the ambitious plans outlined in this docu-
ment, and by future opportunities that we cannot yet imagine but
must be ready to embrace.

John A. Fry
Cover:
Projected development of 30th Street and JFK Boulevard, facing west.
This page:
The new LeBow College of Business building, opening Fall 2013, at 32nd and Market Streets.

Drexel University Campus Master Plan 1

Campus Plan Vision
The Campus Master Plan applies
Drexel’s Strategic Plan through the
Principles
lens of the important roles the campus
can play in furthering the University’s
mission. The Strategic Plan’s emphasis
1. Distinguish Drexel’s campus
on Drexel as a modern urban research
as a vibrant modern urban
university highlights the unique
university district.
identity and potential of a campus that
Drexel celebrates the unique ability of urban settings to spur 2. Bring the campus
institutional, local, and global engagement—the key to its anchors an urban district.
growing leadership in education and research. to the street.

3. Draw the community

together around
shared places.

4. Expand the
innovation community.
The Campus Master Plan is framed around partnerships designed Formal and informal gathering places will animate the campus and
to create an urban campus district distinguished by livability, foster collaborative learning.
sustainability, and innovation.

University buildings and public spaces will embrace and enliven The University’s vibrant environment will nurture the personal,
city streets. civic, and academic discovery that inspires Drexel’s mission.

2 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 3
 1
Distinguish Drexel’s Campus
as a Vibrant Urban
University District.
Drexel’s urban setting offers an opportunity to work
in partnership with surrounding neighborhoods to
and convenient transit access to the region and
beyond. From 30th to 36th Streets, from Chestnut
Preserve, intensify, and overlap
college precincts with
collaborative programs. Each
of the three academic precincts contains a
cluster of colleges and departments with strong

height / intensity
collaborative relationships.

greatest (air rights)

greatest (land)
high
transition
traditional neighborhood

create a 21st-century district marked by livability, to Powelton Avenue, streets and blocks should
Emphasize close relationships and short Convey a strong, consistent physical
amenity, and accessibility. This urban campus clearly express the district’s unique character, the
travel times between related programs to identity. Lining streets and sidewalks with interesting
district will offer members of all its communities benefits of Drexel’s presence, and the economic encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration. activities within transparent building facades and complementing
the competitive advantages of a diverse, walkable and qualify-of-life advantages of a vital university / Focus the greatest intensity of activity mix and building scale these with attractive, well-designed sidewalks will build a
within a convenient walk of 30th Street Station on Market, consistent feel for the campus and make walking more appealing.
environment with multiple choices for living, neighborhood partnership. Chestnut and 30th Streets and JFK Boulevard.
working, learning, and playing close to each other

Transit Access
Subway/Surface Trolley
Market-Frankford Subway
Vibrant SEPTA Regional Rail
neighborhoods Amtrak Northeast Corridor
1/4-mile walk to transit
1/2-mile walk to transit

Encourage Private Development and

neighborhood Investment. Student residence, retail, and commercial
Connect people to destinations through
engagement
public transit. Most of campus lies within a convenient development can help fund Drexel’s academic mission.
5-minute walk of one or more transit stations.

Academic engagement

city
engagement
Concentrate undergraduate teaching Build a larger, more active University
in the heart of campus, surrounded by City neighborhood. Introducing new housing and
professional programs and research. neighborhood-oriented retail choices on sites like the Hess Engineering
Vibrant city Undergraduate academic units should be within an easy walk Research Laboratories at 34th Street and Lancaster Avenue would
of the campus core and close to student housing. enhance quality of life in Powelton Village and Mantua, while helping
Drexel’s campus core emphasizes portals to academic growth, while its edges offer
varied portals to the neighborhoods and beyond.
attract top faculty, staff, and students to Drexel.

4 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 5
2
Bring the Campus
to the Street.
The streets that pass through Drexel’s urban
campus should be places of connection, not
division. Improving these streets to provide a
welcoming accommodation for people walking,
and local destinations as well as to the city and
beyond. These streets can also become Drexel’s
signature version of the campus quadrangle—
lined with seating, verdant plantings, and lively
Active Public Realm
institutional green space open to public
public park
recreational path
active edge: priority retail
active edge: priority retail and/or other
active uses
prime retail nodes

Improve the convenience and safety of walking. A series of green space, sidewalk, and retail
improvements will make walking Drexel’s urban campus district a more engaging experience.

using transit, biking, and driving can offer university and retail destinations that reinforce
unparalleled access choices that connect the community on campus and knit this community
Drexel community to a full spectrum of campus into the life of Philadelphia.

Implement Drexel’s “Terrace” infill-development strategy. The Northside Dining

Active Edges Terrace inaugurated Drexel’s “Terrace” concept: small-footprint, small-budget development with high positive
implemented impacts on streets and services. Soon, the Tutoring Terrace will enliven the 32nd Street Esplanade while
adding needed space for specialized student instruction.
needed

Street-theme groups
academic engagement
city engagement
neighborhood engagement
vibrant neighborhood

Improve transportation choices—

walking, biking, transit, car share.
Encourage walking as the most convenient, effective,
social, and healthy means of moving about campus. Provide
programs and facilities to help make biking a natural choice for Make streets into great public spaces.
convenient, inexpensive transportation. Integrate transit access Transform Ludlow Street from a service alley into a promenade
Each street around campus plays a unique role, individually and within a group of similar streets, in
supporting the urban campus districts described in Principle 1. Every Drexel building and its ground- into university buildings and activities to make it a safer, more that links to expanded campus spaces east of the High Line.
floor activities will play a critical role in enhancing the character and quality of the streets it faces. appealing option.

6 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 7
3
Draw the Community Together
Around Shared Places.
Seventy percent of learning at Drexel takes place
outside of the classroom. The right teaching
facilities are places where students, faculty,
and staff can meet in various combinations to
the campus to promote frequent dialogue among
diverse faculty, staff, and students. Drexel’s campus
district should consciously provide a variety of
meeting places, formal and informal—from faculty
Promote dialogue among diverse groups
of people. The Library Learning Terrace transformed an
uninviting outdoor space into a hub of student learning and
conversation.
better utilize the historic main building.
Already a major crossroads of a diverse campus community,
the Main Building’s Great Court could foster dramatically
more interaction within the community with more seating and
greater visibility to/from adjacent spaces.

expand conversations that start in classrooms and conference rooms to student recreation spaces,
laboratories, and to carry these extracurricular from campus lawns to neighborhood cafes—that
conversations back to academic spaces. The advance scholarship by building social connections.
growing collaboration among Drexel’s colleges
and departments further underscores a need for

gathering spaces
Provide multiple forms and places of gathering to invite these conversations. Drexel can
campus buildings leverage the success of the Recreation Center by adding outdoor seating and plantings that extend student interaction from the
campus green spaces building interior to Market and 33rd Streets and the Lancaster Green.
along streets

Expand dining, retail, entertainment, and

recreation amenities that bring people
together. Recruiting new tenants to neighborhood retail
locations can create new centers of community for Drexel and turn the armory into a hub for student
its neighbors. activity. Complementing the Armory’s existing recreational
activities with mezzanine-level student gathering spaces can
A variety of on- and off-campus gathering places will strengthen learning opportunities
and social connections within and across communities. intensify student interaction and better link Drexel’s existing
and future student neighborhoods.

8 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 9
 4
Expand the Innovation
Community.
For close to a century Drexel has demonstrated
the value of an educational process that integrates
academic teaching with applied learning in the
workplace. In the 21st century, Drexel can intensify
stature as a premier center of discovery. This will
harness the power of collaborative thinking to
reach new levels of creative innovation. Drexel’s
urban setting offers a special opportunity to
Intensify the overlap and magnitude
of campus, workplace, residential, and
amenity activities to foster creative
innovation. The 30th Street corridor and other corridors
near 30th Street Station can come to life days, evenings, and
weekends with a mix of people engaged in living, working,
its focus on multiple learning contexts by fostering integrate the activities of the campus, community, learning, and relaxing.
more original research by the campus community and workplace into a coherent, dynamic, and fully
and private-sector partners, and by promoting accessible district that both facilitates innovation,
a greater integration of the spheres of studying, and demonstrates its rewards.
research, working, and living—enhancing its

Use Mix
Institutional major presence
moderate presence

Market office/ major presence

research/hotel moderate presence

Market major presence

housing moderate presence

Prime Connect students with employers and Demonstrate sustainability innovations.

retail node the community beyond campus. Relocating Educate the public about effective sustainability practices—
the Steinbright Career Development Center to a prominent, for example, provide signage explaining new low-impact
welcoming home on Market Street will build stronger campus stormwater infrastructure, such as the plantings at the
connections among students, employers, faculty, and the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building. Execute the Campus
broader community. Master Plan using high-density, mixed-use, and transit-oriented
development approaches that inherently limit resource
consumption and promote public health.

An intensive mix of university, commercial, and residential activity near 30th Street Station and along
Market Street will expand Drexel’s innovation opportunities, while areas emphasizing residential and
neighborhood retail activity will build bonds with Powelton Village and Mantua.

10 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 11
Transform today

L
Drexel smart house Library Learning terrace

A
N
Renovation in progress. In service.

C
A
S
T
E
R
A
V
E
.

TH

RD
34

33
Kline & Specter
SQUASH Center
In service.

URBN CENTER

D
N
Opening Fall 2012.

2
3
LeBow College of Business Building
Opening Fall 2013.

M
AR
KE
T

Papadakis integrated sciences Building

D
In service.

N
J. F

32
.K.
BO
UL
CH EV
ES AR
TN D
UT
H
T
4
3

D
R
3

Chestnut square
3

Student housing/retail at Creese Student Center and MacAlister Hall; opening Fall 2013. tutoring terrace and 32nd Street esplanade
MA
Concept ready to build. RK
ET
stratton Hall renovations
Design in progress. One drexel plaza CLASSROOMS

TH
Phase Two design in progress.

30
LANDSCAPE
IMPROVEMENTS
In progress along CH
ES
Market and TN
UT
Chestnut Streets.

12 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 13
Transform through 2017

L
A
Peck PRoblem VENDING JFK Boulevard student neighborhood

N
Daskalakis

C
Solving & COURTS Develop Phase One.

A
Athletic Center

S
President’s Research Create with needed

T
E
Renovate.

R
community Building legislation.

A
residence Renovate.

V
E
Hess Engineering

.
Develop.

TH

RD
Research LaboratorIES

34
Redevelop site: retail, housing,

33
possible clinic.

D
N
2
3
THE ArMORY
Design student activity center.

M
AR
General Services Building KE
T
Introduce retail.

D
N
J. F

32
.K.
BO
UL
CH EV
ES AR
TN D
UT
H

Marks Intercultural Center

T
4
3

Relocate and redevelop.

Steinbright Career Development
Center
Move to 32nd and Market Streets.
D
R
3
3

College of Engineering
MA
Relocate, expand Hess Engineering Research
RK Laboratories.
DRexel Recreation Center ET
Hagerty Library Add planters and seating at Market and
Renew 33rd Street streetscape. 33rd Streets.

TH
30
Nesbitt Hall
Renovate, reoccupy CH
ES
with School of TN
UT
Public Health.

14 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 15
Transform by college

L
A
Westphal College of College of Information Academy of Natural

N
C
Media Arts & Design Science and Technology, Sciences of drexel

A
S
162,000gsf URBN Center. university

T
The iSchool at DrexeL

E
R
Opening Fall 2012. Expansion project pending donor Integrate into Center City Campus

A
identity.

V
identification.

E
.

TH

RD
34

33
School of PUblic Health College of Nursing AND
Relocate to Nesbitt Hall. Design in Health Professions
progress. Expand in 3 Parkway building.
Earle Mack

D
School of Law

N
2
Maintain current location.

3
LeBow College of Business
177,500gsf building under construction. A.J. DREXEL PLAsMA
INSTITUTE, Camden, N.J.
Strengthen operations.
M
AR
KE
T Goodwin college
Relocate by 2017.

College of Medicine
Continue to modernize within the

D
Center City Campus footprint and

N
J. F

32
.K.
HAgErty LIbrary BO acquire real estate when feasible.
UL
Expand in distributed locations until new CH
ES
EV
AR
central library is planned. TN
UT
D

11th street family

health services
Expansion planning in progress.
H
T
4
3

PENNONI HONORS COLLEGE

Relocate to Paul Peck Problem Solving
and Research Building.
Queen Lane Campus
D
R

Completed addition.
3
3

MA
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES RK
ET
Repurpose and reoccupy Stratton Hall.

TH
30
School of biomedical
engineering, Science AND
Health Systems
Identify space to consolidate near
College of Engineering. College of Engineering
Relocate Hess Engineering Research CH
ES
Laboratories with a net increase of TN
65,000gsf. UT

16 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 17
Transform beyond 2017

L
A
N
Daskalakis Athletic Center MYERS Residence HALL DREXEL PARK

C
A
And Lancaster walk 500 new beds. Potential growth site.

S
T
50,000gsf of arena expansion; add

E
R
terrace; enhance Lancaster Green.

A
V
E
.
Railyards

TH

RD
Partner to develop air rights and promote private development.

34

33
32ND AND Race Streets
Potential 500 new beds.

D
N
2
3
PSA Building and Language
and Communication Center
Potential 500 new beds.
36TH and FILBERT Streets
EXPANSION
M
400,000gsf. AR
KE
T

3501 MARKET Street EXPANSION

D
200,000gsf.

N
J. F

32
.K.
BO
UL
CH EV
ES AR
TN D
UT

STEIN AUDITORIUM REPLACEMENT

200,000gsf.
H
T
4

“Superblock”
3

6.5 million gsf.

KORMAN Center REPLACEMENT

D

200,000gsf.
R
3
3

ABbott’s dairy site MA

RK
1.5 million gsf mixed-use. ET

TH
30
CH
ES
TN
UT

18 Transforming the Modern Urban University Drexel University Campus Master Plan 19
ac know l ed g e m e n ts Drex el Universit y Leade rship

This plan is a collaborative product of many around Drexel University. We wish to extend special thanks to the following individuals for Administrative Officers David E. Wilson Allen Sabinson Melba Pearlstein
their service on the Facilities and Master Plan Task Force, which was formed as part of the larger strategic planning process. Vice President, Government Dean, Antoinette Westphal Randolph H. Waterfield
John A. Fry and Community Relations College of Media Arts & Design E. Frederick Wheelock
President
John Zabinski George P. Tsetsekos
Facilities and the Master Plan Task Force Thanks to the following groups:
Mark L. Greenberg Vice President, Dean, LeBow College of Business
Provost and Senior Vice Institutional Advancement, ______________________ Trustees of the
Drexel University Faculty Senate College of Medicine
Co-Chairs James R. Tucker President, Academic Affairs College of Medicine
Senior Vice President, Drexel University Alumni Board of Governors ______________________ Danuta Nitecki
Gloria F. Donnelly Student Life and Administrative Services Helen Y. Bowman Dean, University Libraries Atul K. Amin
Dean, Drexel University Board of Visitors Senior Vice President, Janice Biros Elinor H. Cantor
College of Nursing and Health Professions Joan L. Weiner Finance, Treasurer and Chief Senior Vice Provost, Budget, David A. Ruth Joseph M. Capo
Professor, Management, Steinbright Career Development Center
Advisory Board Financial Officer Planning and Administration Dean of Students D. Walter Cohen
Robert A. Francis LeBow College of Business, and
Vice President, Chair, Campus/Community Committee, Katherine J. Erickson
Elizabeth A. Dale Deborah Crawford Eric Zillmer
University Facilities Powelton Village Civic Association Senior Vice President, Senior Vice Provost, Research Athletic Director Brian R. Ford
Thanks also to the Board of Trustees’ Institutional Advancement John A. Fry
Buildings and Properties Committee: N. John DiNardo David Flood Wayne T. Gattinella
Members Ex-Officio Members Lori N. Doyle Senior Vice Provost, Ombuds Donald A. Girard
Robert R. Buckley, Chair Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs Michael P. Halter
Eileen G. Abels John Grady University Communications ______________________ Mary R. “Nina” Henderson
Professor and Associate Dean, Executive Vice President, Kathleen P. Chimicles Trustees of the University Carolyn B. Jackson
College of Information Science and Philadelphia Industrial Development Joel M. Koppelman Michael J. Exler Craig N. Bach
Corporation Caroll H. Neubauer
Technology Senior Vice President, General Vice Provost, Renee J. Amoore
Robert J. Lewis Counsel and Board Secretary Institutional Research Hon. Sandra Schultz Newman
Paul “Mel” Baiada
Janice M. Biros Alan Greenberger Denis P. O’Brien C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni
Carl M. Buchholz
Senior Vice Provost, Deputy Mayor, Brian T. Keech Janet Fleetwood D. Howard Pierce
Planning and Economic Development, D. Howard Pierce Robert R. Buckley
Budget, Planning and Administration Senior Vice President and Vice Provost, Strategic Marlene E. Rackson
City of Philadelphia Executive Director, Development and Initiatives Randall S. Burkert
Charles P. Pizzi Bryan L. Rishforth
Jon P. Coddington Office of the President Barry C. Burkholder Corey K. Ruth
Professor and Department Head, Paul Levy Nicholas S. Schorsch Lucy Kerman Hon. Ida K. Chen Stanley W. Silverman, Chair
Architecture and Interior Design, President and CEO, Jon P. Coddington, Faculty Representative Joan T. McDonald Vice Provost, University and Kathleen P. Chimicles
Center City District Manuel N. Stamatakis
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts Senior Vice President, Community Partnerships Abbie Dean
& Design Omer I. Hashmi, Student Representative Enrollment Management Nicholas A. Vaganos
Nicholas DeBenedictis
Julie Mostov Charles K. Valutas
Lillian M. Hippel, Student Representative Richard J. DePiano
Richardson Dilworth Daniel V. Schidlow Vice Provost, Gerianne Tringali DiPiano
Associate Professor and Director, Interim Senior Vice President, International Programs
Robert J. Drummond
Center for Public Policy, Health Affairs and Dean, Trustees of the
College of Arts and Sciences Thanks also go to many external friends College of Medicine Peter J. Franks Brian R. Ford Academy of Natural Sciences
Senior Associate Vice Provost, John A. Fry
and colleagues including: of Drexel University
Jeffrey A. Eberly James R. Tucker Career Education Sean J. Gallagher
Associate Dean and CFO, Jason Alexander Senior Vice President, Student Richard A. Greenawalt, Chair
College of Medicine Life and Administrative Services Sandra Kirschenmann Peter A. Austen
Roy Carriker Richard A. Hayne
______________________ Associate Vice Provost and Helen Y. Bowman
Cynthia P. Heckscher
Janet E. Fleetwood Andrea Jarrell Director, Center for Graduate Byron T. Clark
Mary R. “Nina” Henderson
Vice Provost, George W. Gephart, Jr. Studies, Sacramento Carl S. Cutler
Strategic Development and Initiatives Powelton Village Civic Association President and Chief Executive ______________________ Patricia H. Imbesi Abbie Dean
Officer, Academy of Natural Joseph H. Jacovini Harvey I. Forman
Mark L. Greenberg Sciences of Drexel University Roger J. Dennis Alan C. Kessler John A. Fry
Provost and Senior Vice President, Thanks to the following firms for their Dean, Earle Mack School of Law Joel M. Koppelman George W. Gephart, Jr.
Academic Affairs contributions to the process: Kenneth E. Hartman J. Michael Lawrie
President, Dexel e-Learning, Inc. Gloria F. Donnelly Mark L. Greenberg
Raphael C. Lee
Brian T. Keech Goody Clancy ______________________ Dean, College of Nursing and Cynthia P. Heckscher, Chair
Robert J. Lewis
Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Andropogon Associates Health Professions David P. Lazar, Sr.
Hugh C. Long II
Office of the President John A. Bielec R. James Macaleer
Kittelson & Associates Vice President, Information David E. Fenske Jeffrey T. Macaluso Sandra L. McLean
Lucy E. Kerman Resources and Technology Dean, College of Information Robert J. Mongeluzzi
Meliora Environmental Design Allen J. Model
Vice Provost, Science and Technology John A. Nyheim Anthony K. Moore
University and Community Partnerships MJB Consulting Amy A. Bosio Denis P. O’Brien I. Wistar Morris III
OLIN Vice President, Financial Marla Gold C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni
Kimberly I. Miller Planning and Student Dean, School of Public Health John A. Nyheim
D. Howard Pierce
Director, Rickes Associates Financial Services Patrick M. Oates
Charles P. Pizzi
Planning, Design and Construction Joseph Hughes Seymour S. Preston III
Studley William T. Schleyer
Robert A. Francis Dean, College of Engineering Ann L. Reed
Margaret E. O’Neill The Lighting Practice Vice President, Nicholas S. Schorsch Michael H. Reed
Associate Professor, University Facilities D.B. Jones Stephen A. Sheller
W-ZHA Gerald B. Rorer
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Dean, Pennoni Honors College Stanley W. Silverman Judith E. Soltz
College of Nursing and Health Professions Peter Frisko Manuel N. Stamatakis John J. Soroko
Vice President, William F. Lynch Charles K. Valutas
Giuseppe R. Palmese Institutional Advancement Dean, Goodwin College of Kenneth J. Warren
Professor and Department Head, Professional Studies Trustees Emeriti
Chemical and Biological Engineering, Deborah Eskridge Glenn Trustees Emeriti
College of Engineering Vice President, Human Resources Donna Murasko Ervin F. Bickley, Jr.
Dean, College of Arts John F. Bales III
Sylvia Merkel Brasler
George Poulin Eric J. Olson and Sciences Edward A. Montgomery, Jr.
Wilbur C. Henderson, Jr.
President, Vice President, Finance and Minturn T. Wright III
John G. Johnson, Jr.
Powelton Village Civic Association Associate Treasurer Banu Onaral
Director, School of Biomedical George F. Krall, Jr. Honorary Trustees
James K. Seaman Engineering, Science and James E. Marks
Vice President, Internal Audit and Health Systems Robert McClements, Jr. Andrew Lewis
Management Consulting Services Ruth Patrick
20 Transforming the Modern Urban University
The URBN Center, future home of the Antoinette
Westphal College of Media Arts and Design.
Opening Fall 2012.

Office of the President

Drexel University
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
215.895.2100 / drexel.edu