Kirkbride Center

Multi-Phase Renovation Project

Equinox MC is the general contractor for a multi-phase renovation of Kirkbride Center’s facilities as part of a long term re-positioning of the campus.  As of June 2014, Equinox MC has completed over 22,000 sq. ft. of renovations and fit-outs for Kirkbride Center with more projects in the works.

The Kirkbride Center has a fascinating history.  It was formerly known as the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital in the 1800s, Original construction was completed in 1860 and followed the detailed design principles of hospital superintendent and chief physician Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride.  Kirkbride’s architectural pattern for hospital construction centered around providing patients with light and air, to promote optimum healing and comfort. These architectural plans along with his standard of moral mental health treatment greatly contributed to the American psychiatric community of the time. The historic Kirkbride Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, The hospital was brought under new ownership in 1997 and renamed the Kirkbride Center in his honor.

*Historical information was taken from Kirkbride Center’s website.

Today, the Kirkbride Center is a licensed 245-bed, comprehensive behavioral health care facility sitting on an urban campus site of 17 acres of land in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia.  The site is an oasis in its Philadelphia neighborhood, a campus featuring historic buildings, generous green space including mature trees, tranquil lawns, courtyards, and gardens. This green and peaceful setting is an ideal environment within which to provide its therapeutic services.  The Kirkbride Center’s campus is also home to other social service organizations such as Families Forward Philadelphia (formerly known as Travelers Aid Family Services).

Kirkbride Admissions Office

The Kirkbride Admissions Office is housed in a 1970s extension of the original Kirkbride building.  Equinox MC completed a fit-out of a redesigned and remodeled wing to incorporate a consult room, office, two exam rooms, and a bathroom.

Families Forward Philadelphia

Housed in the Kirkbride Center, Families Forward operates the largest non-profit homeless shelter for families in Philadelphia.  Their mission is to help homeless families become healthy, productive, and self-reliant by providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, intensive case management, and enrichment services.  Equinox MC completed a fit-out of Families Forward’s shelter housing which spanned two floors and included the renovation of 9 bathrooms, 17 sleeping quarters, a dining hall, and a laundry facility.

Women’s Shelter by Gaudenzia

Gaudenzia offers drug and alcohol treatment programs including specialty programs for pregnant and parenting mothers, adolescents, and people suffering from co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse.  Equinox MC completed a fit-out of Gaudenzia’s Women’s Shelter which is housed in the Kirkbride Center.  The renovation included 18 bedrooms, 40 sleeping quarters, 5 bathrooms, a laundry facility, and an upgraded sprinkler system.

CRI LifeTree: Philadelphia Research Center

CRI LifeTree is one of the nation’s largest Specialized Research organizations in the nation focusing on the conduct and design of early-stage, patient populations therapeutically focused in CNS, endocrinology, and infectious disease research products and services. CRI LifeTree operates their inpatient and outpatient Philadelphia Research Center of Excellence on the Kirkbride Center campus. Equinox MC renovated CRI’s Nurses’ Station with additional projects in the works.