Three years after Shift Capital and Essence Development acquired a 7-acre property in North Philadelphia for a new mixed-use project, Temple University has now joined as a new institutional partner, writes Paul Schwedelson for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Upon finalizing the acquisition in 2023, the developers tapped their planned North Station mixed-use project as a potentially transformational development.
“Pulling in Temple, such a large name that’s been part of the Philadelphia fabric for such a long time, gives us that cachet to be recognized,” Essence Senior Vice President of Development Niels Theodule said.
While there is not yet any confirmation as to the exact plans for the mixed-use North Station project, they could develop upwards of 1 million square feet with a combination of office, residential, retail, cultural uses, and more.
The site is next to Amtrak’s North Philadelphia train station, and near SEPTA’s North Philadelphia Broad Street Line stop. This is in addition to several regional rail stops.
The developers plan to take advantage of that transit proximity with the goal of benefitting neighbors.
Meanwhile, Temple University President John Fry said the site could also help Temple continue its North Broad Street corridor revitalization efforts.
Read more about the latest chapter of the North Station project in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA.Today in April 2026.
