Torcon Begins Lancaster Avenue Development at Villanova University
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) May 18, 2016 -- Torcon, Inc., a regional construction leader, has been selected by Villanova University to provide construction management services for a transformative project along Lancaster Avenue. The development will revitalize an expansive parking lot into a vibrant campus hub featuring student housing, University-operated student-centric retail, a parking garage and pedestrian bridge.
Design for the collegiate Gothic-style residence halls is led by the team of Robert A.M. Stern Architects in partnership with Philadelphia-based Voith & Mactavish Architects. The new facilities will accommodate more than 1,100 students, enabling Villanova to provide on-campus housing for nearly 85 percent of the University’s undergraduate student population. In addition, the residential facilities will be complemented by a new Villanova apparel store, bistro and convenience store, mailing facility and state-of-the art fitness center. The project will also help provide more convenient and efficient on-campus parking, with a surface lot and construction of a new parking garage to hold 1,300 vehicles.
“We are honored to have been awarded this project, which will help enhance Villanova University’s beautiful campus and create a dynamic place for students to live, learn and play,” said Michael Armento, senior vice president of Torcon. “Having worked with the University on the construction of its College of Nursing and the three-year Transformation of the Campus Landscape initiative, we value our relationship and appreciate their ongoing trust. This is an exciting and important project that will help improve life for all on campus.”
With 70 percent of classrooms located on the western part of campus, the development on the south side of Lancaster Avenue will include construction of a pedestrian bridge, linking both sides of campus, to provide greater accessibility to students, visitors and parishioners of St. Thomas of Villanova Church. Landscape improvements will add additional community greenspace and new storm water controls. Innovative green measures will be incorporated throughout construction, including LEED certification of the new residential buildings.
“Villanova is pleased to partner with Torcon, Inc. on this transformative initiative,” said Robert Morro, vice president for Facilities Management. “Torcon was selected based upon their overall track record throughout the region, their prior work at Villanova and their competitive and thoughtful approach to this four year, multi-phase project. We are excited to work with them to create an exciting new campus environment for the Villanova community.”
With completion of all components anticipated for the summer of 2019, the multi-phase Lancaster Avenue Development project will visually transform the university’s campus along Lancaster Avenue while enhancing the overall Villanova student experience.
About Torcon, Inc.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary as a family owned company, Torcon, Inc. is one of the most active and respected construction management firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. From Torcon’s office at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the company’s operations encompass the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.
Torcon specializes in technically complex projects with critical quality and operational standards. The company is currently among the nation's largest at-risk construction managers according to ENR, the industry's leading publication, and was also named Contractor of the Year in 2013, by ENR New York. Torcon has successfully completed more than $4 billion of construction over the past decade.
Bill Tierney, Brian Communications, +1 484-385-2985, [email protected]
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