On Wednesday, May 15, the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (PRMH), the first Ronald McDonald House in the world, celebrated the completion of its new Jill and Alan B. Miller tower. This 93,000 square foot expansion increases the available rooms for guest families from 45 to 127. Guest families, volunteers, friends, and supporters gathered in the new outdoor spaces at 3925 Chestnut Street to commemorate the historic project and tour the new spaces, which include a commercial kitchen and a family kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a rooftop garden, an orchard, family lounges, and more.

We are humbled and thrilled by the outpouring of support that we received from so many different companies, foundations, and individuals—it truly took the whole community to make this expansion happen,” said PRMH CEO Susan Campbell. “We are incredibly thankful to everyone who provided financial support, expertise, or in-kind resources. Their contributions will help us welcome thousands of more guest families during the most difficult time in their lives.”

The construction project team included Construction Manager P. Agnes, Inc., Architect EwingCole, Civil Engineer Pennoni Associates, Structural Engineer David Chou & Associates, and Owner’s Representative Watchdog.

Other GBCA Members involved in the project included the following:

  • D’Angelo Bros., Inc.
  • EDA Contractors, Inc.
  • Healy Long & Jevin
  • Philadelphia D&M
  • Precision Door Co., Inc.
  • Southern New Jersey Steel Co.
  • Unified Door & Hardware Group, LLC, Tru-Fit Frame and Door
  • United States Roofing Corp.

 

Pat Pasquariello, CEO of P. Agnes, worked closely with the building trades, and thanked them during the grand opening:

  • The Building Trades Council and their trades that donated over $500,000 to the project.
  • Carpenters with Keystone + Mountain + Lakes Regional Council of Carpenters volunteered to assemble and install bedroom furniture.
  • Local 30 Roofers worked weekends to replace the existing roof.
  • District 21 painters volunteered additional hours to complete painting.
  • Local 19 Sheet Metal Workers volunteered additional hours to install kitchen equipment.

 

“We are very proud of our construction team and their leadership,” said Campbell. “They have gone above and beyond to make sure that we overcame the myriad challenges that arose and that we were able to meet our budgets and deadlines.”

 

The next phase of the expansion, which will be completed in the Fall/Winter of 2019, will feature indoor play areas, a theatre, a health and wellness center, and areas for arts, crafts, education, and other activities. “We look forward to the completion of the next phase, but for now, we feel fortunate to be able to welcome an estimated 1,900 families every year and to know that we are helping to ease their burdens as much as we can,” said Campbell.