Demolition begins on 3900 block

While most late-night Philly Diner recollections may be a little hazy, memories of the former location are bound to fade as construction on the 3900 block of Walnut Street progresses this spring. Interior demolition began last week at the former homes of Philly Diner, College Pizza and other campus establishments, marking the official start to construction of housing and retail space that officials say could alleviate many of the housing problems students face today. The project - which is set to be completed by August 2008 - will be a 14-story off-campus apartment complex with 161 units, Facilities and Real Estate Services spokesman Tony Sorrentino said. It will also include 4,400 square feet of retail space comprised of eateries, boutiques and large retail stores, though the specific businesses that will fill the space are yet to be determined, he said. Designed for undergraduates, the complex will be a "mix-use building with a retail component," Sorrentino said. "Cities are all about mixing things together." Though retail space is a focus for facilities officials, the main goal of the construction is to offer more housing options for undergraduates. "We believe the product is what a student wants," Executive Director of Real Estate Edwin Datz said. "It's a beautiful location with two, three and four bedrooms." Datz said a 2003 study commissioned by former University President Judith Rodin identified a need for new student housing, which officials hope will be addressed by this project as well as new apartments on 40th and Chestnut streets. "If you combine the improvements we're doing to the high rises" - millions of dollars of renovations worth - "with the added housing on the 3900 block, there will be an absolute transformation in the availability of extremely attractive housing for our students," University President Amy Gutmann said. The apartments will range in price from "middle to moderate," Datz said, but rent is promised to be competitive with other off-campus properties. A lack of housing has long been a thorn in the side of Penn students, many of whom have been extremely receptive to the new plans. "I think Penn has a pretty good direction in future building projects," College freshman Nathan Portlock said. "It's a great location, and it'll be nice and new." Officials said that construction may start as early as 8 a.m., and students will be forced to walk on the opposite side of the street once exterior construction begins. Penn has contracted University Partners, a FirstWorthing development company that specializes in college housing, to head the project.

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