Third Hub complex planned for 39th, Chestnut

With the Hub retail and apartment building completed in 2006, and with plans for a second complex in the works, the developer has announced that a Hub III is also on the way.

The Philadelphia-based development firm Teres Holdings has secured a contract to build the Hub III at 3939 Chestnut Street.

Hub II will also be built near the street from the original Hub, which is located at 40th and Chestnut streets.

Construction on both properties is scheduled to begin in 2009, after construction on Hub II was pushed back this summer due to the developer's decision to expand the project.

As a result, construction on Hub III will begin early next year, said Teres Holdings Chief Operating Officer Bob Hoe, with construction on Hub II starting next summer.

Hub III is slated to be complete in late 2009 or early 2010, Hoe said.

Early projections for Hub III anticipate the building to cost more than $19 million and to contain 60 apartments.

Hoe attributed the University's interest in adding additional Hubs to the success of Hub I.

"It's good that the first Hub has been successful because it allows us to get underway with subsequent phases," Hoe said. He added that he believed offering a variety of types of housing in West Philadelphia would be successful.

"We think there continues to be a strong demand for housing of all types, and the University continues to pursue diversity in housing options," he said.

Hoe said he was not sure which retail options would be considered for Hubs II and III, but he noted a furniture store, media outlet, medical service and restaurant as possible options.

The first Hub houses Distrito - a Jose Garces Mexican restaurant - and a hair salon.

Penn Facilities spokesman Tony Sorrentino sees the future addition of the Hub complexes as a continuing effort to provide luxurious off-campus housing options that are still close to campus.

"When students choose to live in the Hub buildings, they are living off-campus technically, but by being closer to campus, they are choosing to live in the heart of campus, among the vibrant shops, restaurants and cafes," he wrote an e-mail.

Sorrentino added that the second and third Hubs would also generate jobs relating to the construction and management of the buildings.

Apartments in Hubs II and III will be priced similarly to Hub I - from about $600 to $1,900 per month, according to Hoe.

He added that the two buildings, like Hub I, would be a bit more geared toward graduate students and young professionals.

Philippe Pradel, a junior in the College, said he enjoys his apartment in Hub I because the building is clean and convenient, and the residents are nice. Still, he did not rule out a possible switch to one of the newer buildings once they are completed.

"I don't see why not," he said. "I like it here, but if they have something better to offer, I'd consider it."

This article has been updated to correct the address of the Hub III, which will be located at 3939 Chestnut St. The original version said the building would be located at 3939 Walnut St.

Comments (6)

I have to second the comments by the previous alum. I'm all for more development on an around campus but the Hub and the Radian are two of the the ugliest buildings I have seen - ever - anywhere. They make me ashamed of that part of campus. I realize that the university simply grants a long term lease to third party developers who then design these projects but can't we put some restrictions on these deals? After the high rises - perhaps considered modern at the time but now just three giant cement eyesores - you would have thought that the university had learned its lesson.

The one on Walnut needs to have its exterior toned down relative to the existing Hub. Although I think the current Hub is an eyesore, it's not in the heart of campus. The one on Walnut will be right on campus - I don't think we should have a structure that resembles a lego sculpture erected next to the Radian which resembles the death star.

I lived in the Hub last year and I can attest that I enjoyed living there because it was generally clean and nicer than most of the dorms on campus and other off campus housing available. I can also say that despite that, the architecture of the building is hideous and indicates Penn is moving in the wrong direction when it comes to building and campus design. Just look at the garage above fresh grocer and the Radian for more examples. Although I never had any problems, the management in the Hub is really horrible. The leasing process and building maintenance is sloppy and disorganized. I was lucky not to have any leaks or anything in my apartment, some apartments had mold infestation from leaks caused by the improper installation of those ugly wood panels on the building exterior. What a nightmare. Also, adding three more of these ugly buildings to the 40th and Chestnut corner is a mistake. The design might look edgy and different today, but how will the aesthetic age? Look at Van Pelt, Meyerson, Williams Hall, and the high rise dorms for examples. I bet in 30 years, the school is going to be harassing all of us for huge donations to tear down and replace these eyesores.

Glad the online version corrected the paper edition , which headlines the new development at 3939 Walnut - - of which there is no such address. How could the paper make such a big mistake with a headline?

I like the glitzy look of the Hub. I also like the Radian. In my opinion, these slightly crazy designs bring the tradition-bound rest of the campus into the present. Not that I don't really like the main campus, which is fabulous. But one has to have a few side dishes to go along with the main meal.

Which apartments were rented out at $600 a month? If I'm not mistaken, the smallest studios were at least 800, add to that the utilities through middlemen (phillynet/data monitoring) +100/150. I lucked out and got an apartment with mold and leaks, the management was so GREAT, they offered to kick us out and rip up the lease after I complained!

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