Pennsylvania Health Proposes Redevelopment of Syms Site in Cherry Hill

A division of the University of Pennsylvania Health System has signed a long-term lease to adaptively reuse and transform the former Syms department store site on Route 70, Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn and Finmarc Management announced. It represents a $50 million investment in the township, officials said.

The plan calls for Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania to redevelop the site, which has been vacant since Syms closed in 2012. It will go before the Planning Board on July 6.

If approved, the project would be completed within 18 months.

The plan calls for the former department store to be transformed into a 150,000-square-foot medical office facility that houses multiple clinical disciplines within the health system, including an urgent care center, oncology, radiology, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, primary care and others.

It also includes changes to the building facade, a new roof, new HVAC and electrical systems, full-building build out, the addition of new windows, upgrades to all interior and exterior lighting, a new structured parking garage and repaving of the existing parking lot.

“I’m delighted to officially welcome the University of Pennsylvania health care system into Cherry Hill on such a grand scale,” Cahn said. “This announcement is a major milestone for the entire region. It reinforces our ongoing efforts to redevelop underutilized properties in Cherry Hill and continues our strong path of continued economic development.”

“This announcement is the culmination of several months of logistical issues that required a good working relationship between the Township, the property owner, Finmarc, Markeim Chalmers and Penn to creatively address all the concerns that had previously made the site difficult to redevelop and market,” Cherry Hill Director of Community Development Paul Stridick said.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System joins Lourdes Health System, Cooper University Health System, Virtua Health System and Kennedy University Health System within the township.

“Situated in a recognizable, and now easy-to-access, location on Route 70, Penn Medicine at Cherry Hill will provide patients in South Jersey another option for first-rate medical care from one of the nation’s premier providers,” Cahn said. “From now on, Cherry Hill will be known not just for our great mall and outstanding restaurants and shopping, but as a healthcare hub for the entire South Jersey region.”