In its March 12 edition, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported that the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania was contemplating demolition of the former Marine Corps Depot (700-734 Schuylkill Avenue), a 700,000 square-foot behemoth on the banks of the Schuylkill River.  Designed by noted architect Eugene Stopper (Bell Telephone Building), the Moderne warehouse was placed on the National Register in 2004.  In its place would rise a 400,000 square-foot office building.

Preservationists question the necessity to demolish the structure, which could easily accommodate any number of new uses.  Built to store heavy military equipment, demolition of the structure would be a lengthy, costly, and environmentally destructive process, sending untold tons of waste to the landfill.  The hospital expects to announce plans for the site by June, and the Preservation Alliance strongly encourages hospital officials to explore adaptive reuse options for the building.

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