UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEASTERN PA

PHILADELPHIA, PA 1997-PRESENT

Over the past six years, our firm has been part of an ongoing Owner-Architect relationship to comprehensively study United Way’s need for greater visibility within the community and region, and for a more effective use of their building.

We first installed interior-illuminated symbols on the building’s Penthouse, to announce the United Way’s presence on the skyline and to all who are traveling along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Our first Master Plan relocated the United Way’s offices on Floors 2-5 at the extremely economical cost of $22./SF. The efficiencies realized through departmental reorganization, open office stations and seasonal time-sharing of certain spaces allowed them to offer an entire additional floor of rentable space to related non-profit agencies, further offsetting their own operating costs while significantly enhancing the working environment for themselves and their tenants. That renovation has subsequently paid for itself in the additional rent collected to date.

We have subsequently planned the remaining four floors of their 80,000SF building, and have overseen the interior renovation in a total of ten projects, all completed within the United Way’s budgetary constraints while enhancing the building environment for staff and outside volunteers.
The renovations have included renovations of the first floor public lobby and meeting rooms, and the installation of a Donor Hall in an enlarged room at the building’s main entry.