Thomas Jefferson University needed a dramatic plan to address a critical lack of parking that directly affected future growth at the university and the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The result was an eight-story, $35 million mixed-use development that includes 13,000-square-feet of retail and nearly 700 parking spaces.

The seven-level parking structure accommodates all public and valet parking for the university and hospital. A climate-controlled skybridge allows direct access from the structure to the hospital. Because neighborhood stakeholders were concerned about how a large parking structure would blend in aesthetically, it was carefully designed to be convenient, user-friendly, and safe while reflecting the architectural details of the surrounding historic buildings.

This structure won Pennsylvania Parking Association’s Award of Excellence for New Design and the International Parking Institute’s Award of Merit.

Project Highlights:

• Two-bay double helix
• Five pay-on-foot machines
• The facade incorporates enhanced cast stone detailing on all sides, and decorative screens and screening mesh are used above the store fronts
• Large colorful banners designed by the Mural Arts Program cover the facades