The Philadelphia Parking Authority celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the former Gallery Mall parking garage’s multi-million makeover yesterday. What was once your average concrete building at 8th and Arch streets is now the flashy, LED-light laden Parkade on 8th.
According to Newsworks, the renovation cost $33 million—that’s 18 percent more than the PPA anticipated. Apparently, there were many more repairs that had to be done to the "superstructure" of the garage than they expected.
The Parkade on 8th was designed by local architecture firm Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) and now features spruced up retail on the ground level, as well as colorful LED-light panels that stretch over the garage’s facade. Meanwhile, little white bulbs light up the ceiling of the tunnel between Arch and Filbert streets, providing a more welcoming walkway toward Center City.
Check out its before-and-after makeover:
The garage has long served as one of the main gateways to Center City, yet was one of the most drab. Its makeover marks one of the first major redevelopments of the city’s massive efforts to revitalize Market East.