Philadelphia · University City · #ZP-2024-012789
Hospital expansion, 3800 Powelton Ave
3800 Powelton Ave, University City, PA · 49,916 sq ft non-residential, institutional
About this project
A two-story, 49,916 sq ft structure is proposed to extend the existing hospital complex at 3800 Powelton Ave in University City.
Official description: FOR THE ERECTION OF A TWO-STORY STRUCTURE (49,916 SF GFA) FOR THE EXTENSION OF AN EXISTING HOSPITAL COMPLEX WITH EXISTING ONE-THOUSAND FOUR-HUNDREDS EIGHTY-EIGHT (1,488) OFF-STREET ACCESSORY PARKING SPACES, INCLUDING TWENTY-FIVE (25) ADA PARKING SPACES, AND WITH ONE HUNDRED FIFTY (150) BICYCLE SPACES IN AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE ON THE SAME LOT WITH ALL OTHER USES INCLUDING WITH ACCESSORY SIGNAGE AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN IN THE APPLICATION.
- Applicant
- PRESBYTERIAN MEDICAL CENT, PENN PRESBYTERIAN MEDICAL
- Contractor
- LF Driscoll Company LLC
- Plan type
- Building permit (new construction)
- Status
- Permit issued
Filing history
- 2025-03-24 · #ZP-2024-012789 · Building permit (new construction)
- 2024-11-11 · #ZP-2024-010151 · Building permit (new construction)
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
A two-story building of about 49,916 square feet is proposed as an addition to the existing Penn Presbyterian Medical Center hospital complex at 3800 Powelton Ave in University City, West Philadelphia. County records list it as an institutional project. They name the hospital's owner entities and the construction firm LF Driscoll as the firms on the filing.
The records don't say what the new space will be used for. They also don't say which part of the campus it will sit on. It would add to a hospital campus that already has large buildings and recent construction.
No news coverage, meeting records or developer page was found that clearly describes this particular addition. Some coverage of other work on the same campus, such as a parking garage, turned up. It was not matched to this project, so it is not relied on here.
What it could mean nearby
- The addition is on an existing hospital campus, so it is more likely to add clinical space than new homes.
- Added hospital space could bring more patients, staff and deliveries to the Powelton Ave area. The records contain no traffic study.
- Construction activity is likely to be concentrated on the hospital campus while the building is under construction.
Where it stands
The latest county filing is dated 2025-03-24. No public approval decisions were found. Projects like this usually move from plan review to permit issuance and then to construction.
- Mar 24, 2025 Latest county planning filing for the two-story hospital addition
Want to weigh in? The records don't say which public body decides next. Residents can contact the City of Philadelphia's planning and permitting offices or their local community group for information.
Who's behind it
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (with builder LF Driscoll Company LLC) · The hospital is part of the Penn Medicine system in West Philadelphia. LF Driscoll is a construction firm that builds healthcare and institutional projects.
Planning terms explained
- Institutional
- A land-use category for buildings such as hospitals, schools and universities, rather than homes or shops.
- Non-residential square footage
- The total floor area of a project that is not used as housing.
- Filing
- A formal submission of project information to a government office for review.
We searched the web for this project but found nothing beyond the county record, so this explanation is based on the filing alone. Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $17.5M
- ~249 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~124 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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