University of Pennsylvania is entering a new, $600 million stage of its decades-long campus construction plan, writes Ryan Wolff for The Daily Pennsylvanian.

In 2006, Penn unveiled a new “land use and urban design strategy with a 30-year horizon to advance Penn as a premier urban research university;” a strategy dubbed Penn Connects.

Since then, the strategy has developed into a series of phases.

Some of the highlights include renovations of the high rises, the construction of Lauder College House and Gutmann College House, and the recently completed expansion of the Graduate School of Education. 

The next stage of campus development includes five major projects.

The projects are a new Student Performing Arts Center, expanded studio space in Stuart Weitzman Hall, a new Weitzman Theatre at the Annenberg Center Plaza, a comprehensive renovation of the David Rittenhouse Laboratory Building, and the Ott Center for Track and Field. 

“[These projects are] a reflection on what the schools’ and centers’ programming needs are,” University Architect Mark Kocent said.

Altogether, the projects will cost about $600 million with the first project — the Ott Center — estimated to be fully in use by September 2024, while the other four are scheduled for completion in the next four to five years.

Read more about Penn’s new $600 million renovations at The Daily Pennsylvanian.

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