---
title: "South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia – Keast & Hood"
description: "South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia joined with the city to create a new three-story state-of-the-art multi-purpose center, situated at the corner of South Broad and Morris."
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# South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

![South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2025-11-71518808de5b367cfb6f6a4f9a2db526992272a5.jpg)

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia joined with the city to create a new three-story state-of-the-art multi-purpose center, situated at the corner of South Broad and Morris.

The goal of the facility is to provide for both physical wellness and mental wellness. The center includes a primary care practice, a city health clinic, a branch of the Free Library, a recreational facility, an outdoor playground, and enclosed parking for staff.

Design challenges include soft soils, long spans, cantilevers on the upper floors, and vibrations from the adjacent subway station leading to a pile-supported steel frame structure. A portion of the building is designed for overbuild. The site is retained on three sides by 19th century townhouses.

The project is LEED Silver certified.

Principal

Frederick C. Baumert, PE, CCS (retired)

Project Team

Christian J. Kronenwetter, PE | Matthew C. Cornman, PE

Client

VSBA LLC

Location

Philadelphia, PA

Project Type

Health | Laboratory | Landscape | Library | Sustainability

Project Scope

New Construction

Status

Complete: 2016

Cost

$42.5 Million

![South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2025-11-b0b073ec9c4e3b418b49a8deef36ad94e94df702.jpg)

![South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2025-11-296df0d2803d4f191f5345b33f62f1fd48c6c9e9.jpg)

![South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2025-11-bc775c975114b1896926fd366b2c6ec7f42b2f25.jpg)

![South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2025-11-a9f1ee07e976b704175fbfae46f94c7cf13a352c.jpg)

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