Over the past few weeks, a developmental eyesore has been replaced by the sleek exoskeleton of a new building.
Construction on the Radian, located at 39th and Walnut streets, is progressing on schedule, according to developer Inland American Communities Group.
The Radian will be a 14-story mixed-use student apartment building.
"We are on schedule to open on time and on budget in August 2008, at which time students and their parents will be able to tour the property," IAC Vice President of Marketing Rachel Kihn wrote in an e-mail.
The building's frame has been completed, and the topping out of the building, which is the completion of the top floor, occurred in December, said Penn's director of Real Estate Development Paul Sehnert. The metal panels forming the exterior of the building were also put in place over winter break.
The majority of the current construction taking place is interior work, including the installation of plumbing and electrical systems.
"They are moving rapidly," Sehnert said of Intech Construction, the contractor responsible for construction.
The Radian will also have two floors dedicated to retail, including a separate one-story building along Walnut Street. Construction has not yet begun on this building, which will be connected to the Radian.
Metal frames, marking the beginning of the construction process, will likely be put up within the next month, Sehnert said.
The retail options that will be located in and around the Radian have not yet been decided, but will be determined after market research is conducted, Kihn wrote.
"The retail decisions for the Radian will be based on research into the shopping and dining needs of both the on-campus residents and the larger community and may include a diverse mix of uses such as apparel, banking, restaurants, office supplies/print centers, etc.," she wrote.
Announcements will be made as leases are finalized, she added.
According to Kihn, the Radian's 154 apartments are already 90-percent leased, and the building is expected to be fully leased before it is completed.
She says the majority of the residents of the Radian are expected to be Penn students, due primarily to its location near campus.
The Radian will feature state-of-the-art rooms, each equipped with a washer/dryer, full-sized beds, refrigerator, oven, microwave, dishwasher, high-speed Internet and cable television.
The building will also have an HDTV lounge and fitness room, in addition to various other amenities centered on student entertainment.
College freshman Darren Sinatro said he is looking forward to living in the Radian next semester.
"I'm really excited about everything being new and clean," he said, adding that he is especially "looking forward to clean bathrooms."
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