Above McDonald's at 40th and Walnut streets is the Career Services, Penn Global, Penn Violence Prevention, Student Intervention Services, and Community Care's new home.
Credit: Abhiram JuvvadiSeveral University Life departments have moved to 3935 Walnut St. in the space above the McDonald’s.
The move — which includes Career Services, Penn Global, Penn Violence Prevention, Student Intervention Services, and Community Care departments — marks a step towards the University’s goal to streamline student support services by housing multiple departments under one roof. The University’s Board of Trustees approved a 10-year lease for the spaces in November 2023.
The lease, which will begin on Jan. 1, 2025, costs $16.29 million for 30,533 square feet of office space.
“We are excited about the community spaces for the student-facing departments in the building which will allow us to host more workshops and training on-site,” Penn Violence Prevention Director Elise Scioscia wrote in a statement to the Daily Pennsylvanian. “We look forward to continuing to work alongside students to create a culture of consent on our campus.”
The previous office on 3609-11 Locust Walk will continue to be occupied by the Division of University Life’s leadership and Strategic Planning and Operations team.
Amy Gadsden, Penn's Associate Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, previously told the DP that Penn Global was thrilled to move to the new space at 40th and Walnut streets, which she said was the “bustling west end of Penn’s campus.”
“I’m really looking forward to checking out the new Career Services office, especially since it’s so much closer to my dorm,” said College sophomore Kaylee Wong. “It’s super cold lately, so I’m glad the walk is shorter.”
The property at 3935 Walnut St. was purchased by Penn in December 2021.
At the time of purchase, Penn Executive Director of Real Estate Ed Datz explained that the location at the intersection of 40th and Walnut streets would be an ideal site for redevelopment due to its close proximity to student housing.
The new McDonald’s opened in October 2024, several months earlier than initially anticipated. Students and community members flocked to the store’s grand reopening and have widely frequented the store in the months since.
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