Boasting direct access to the burgeoning Pennsylvania Convention Center and the renowned Reading Terminal (Farmer’s) Market, stands the 279–room Hilton Garden Inn. Utilizing the air-rights of an existing parking garage, the development and construction of this full-service hotel posed enormous urban design and technical engineering challenges. Erected over an existing and continuously-operational 1970’s era, five-story pre-cast concrete municipal parking structure, these challenges involved resolution of complex title, easement and zoning issues, extensive investigation into the condition and suitability of the existing structure and treading complex vertical access (stairs, elevators and structural bracing) through the edifice. This major addition was also subject to securing design approvals from no less that seven public agencies and boards having jurisdiction over this prominent site. Additional challenges were to secure approvals from Hilton for at urban adaptation of their rigorous product standards.
The organization of this hotel was essentially “inverted”, whereby the Hilton Garden Inn’s trademarked “Pavilion” public lobby and dining spaces, more typically on the ground level, were placed at the very top of the building to take advantage of enhanced views and sunlight and facilitate larger clear span spaces, while the typical guest room floors are below. To preserve more precious retail presence at the street level and the many garage access points and ramps, a very modest ground level check-in area greets arriving guests, where patrons ascend to the real lobby spaces above, providing some respite from this otherwise bustling and congested area of the downtown core.
The hotel offers tourists, conventioneers and exhibitors alike with a gourmet three-meal restaurant, various meeting and boardrooms, a business center and an indoor fitness center and pool.
Client / Developer: Switzenbaum Realty Capital Group
