Accolade on Chestnut

The residential towers known originally as Sansom Place East and West are two apartment-style high rises that are the center of Penn's graduate resident community. Penn had recently begun a tradition of hiring modern architects for campus projects when Richard and Dion Neutra, among the Europeans who brought international modernism to the United States in the 1920s, were hired for this project. Sansom Place East and West are constructed of rugged materials and stand in contrast to their surroundings in their height.

Redevelopment

The $94.5M redevelopment of Sansom Place East into Accolade on Chestnut was substantially completed in summer 2023.  The building's exterior facade was maintained, while its windows were replaced and the interior underwent a full renovation. The interior renovation includes the addition of a fitness center, small group study classrooms, and multipurpose areas. The approximately 473 unit project is comprised of studios and two-bedroom units of moderately priced graduate student housing (588 beds total) and accompanying area amenities, ensuring more affordable housing for Penn graduate students.

 

Accolade on Chestnut

Accolade on Chestnut

Building Code: 380
Gross Area (sq. ft.): 279,313
Year Built: 1970
Floors: 23
Architect: Richard & Dion Neutra & Assoc.
Trustee Date: 1/15/71
Other Name: SANE, Sansom East, Nichols House, Grad East, Grad Tower, Graduate Tower A