Now Open Cira Green Rooftop Park Offers Best Views of Philly

Yeah, we said it. The new, 1.25-acre Cira Green in University City is pretty awesome. The city's first elevated park opened to the public today and sits on top of the parking garage of Cira Centre South, Brandywine Realty's 2.7 million-square-foot mixed-use "vertical neighborhood." We snapped some shots of Cira Green this morning when we had the park to ourselves, save for a few security officers.
The entrance to the park is located right off Chestnut Street on 30th St. A quick elevator ride to the 11th floor brings you to the top of the parking garage and a green-painted walkway leads you up to the park. While Cira Green is open to the public, residents of the 33-story Evo residential building will have direct access to from the eighth floor of their building.

The park features multiple spaces to lounge and stadium seating built into the green space that looks straight toward Center City. Across the way you can look back into University City and sneak a peek of the Art Museum to the east. It was designed by Erdy McHenry Architecture, LLC, Roofmeadow, and AKF Engineers. The roof is both "blue" and "green," with the blue roof areas under the paved walking areas serving to accumulate water that's then directed into the planted "green roof" areas.

Cira Green is open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Summer hours will be from 6 AM to 10 PM.

· Brandywine Realty sitting pretty as it continues Phila. redevelopment [Philly.com]
· Take a peek at Cira Center South's elevated park space [Curbed Philly]