PHILLY NEEDS A FEW –
June 5, 2024 – The proposal comes from real estate firm CSC, which owns the historic Brutalist student housing complex. The company describes itself as one of the largest landlords in Mexico and has been expanding in the United States in recent years by acquiring large, vacant properties in high-value. ”The largest stand-alone behavioral health company in the U.S.” — mirrors the self-description of Acadia Healthcare.
After initially exploring a life science use or student apartments, CSC decided to go in a radically different direction on the parcel just north of The Mason that fronts on Ludlow Street. Renderings show a 53-story building, although the developer says around 40 stories is more likely.
“We thought that the best possible use is for something that Philadelphia actually needs,” said Sal Smeke, managing partner at CSC. “[There’s] a very, very bad drug problem. No one wants to fix it; everyone is looking the other way.”
Smeke said the site would offer comprehensive services and between 150 and 250 beds, although, as with the height of the building, the exact number hasn’t been locked in. It would provide inpatient and outpatient services and be able to treat complex medical conditions like the wounds associated with xylazine use. Both public and private insurance would be accepted.
