Riverview Wellness Village
Healing through restorative and dignified site design.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Client: City of Philadelphia
Size: 19 acres
Project status: Phase 1 construction complete, Phase 2 construction documents complete.
Project team: Ground Reconsidered, Ballinger (Project Prime), KS Engineers, Beam LTD, Arora Engineers, Ramla Benaissa Architects, Sustainable Design Consulting LLC, Corsi Associates.
Press: “A whole new life at Riverview” Philadelphia Inquirer.
The 19-acre Riverview Wellness Village is a City of Philadelphia-operated treatment and recovery facility located on a bucolic parcel of land adjacent to Philadelphia’s Delaware River. Ground Reconsidered has been working on the planning and implementation of a phased redesign and restoration of this award-winning mid-century building and landscape. The first phase which included upgrades to existing residential cottages and associated exterior spaces was completed in January 2026. The second phase includes the construction of a new building and comprehensive site-wide improvements.
Once complete, the restored site will advance the health, healing, and well-being of residents who are recovering from substance use disorder. The site will act as an accelerator for recovery by facilitating easy visual and physical access to green space, opportunities for social interaction, and moments for individual reflection and repose. Proposed amidst a mature canopy of oaks and planetrees are spaces to support contemplation, exploration, therapy, conversation, art, and interaction with a restored natural environment that will also provide shade, habitat, and increased biodiversity on site.
Lushly planted healing gardens are located close to the buildings for ease of access by residents. Recreational uses including a flexible lawn, basketball courts, pavilions, fitness area, and a community garden proposed and connected by a central path and new walks throughout the site. Restored meadows and woodlands at the site’s edges will blend the site with the surrounding natural landscape.
Site residents will have direct to therapeutic gardens for repose and contemplation.
The first phases of the project included renovation of entryways, courtyards, and paths around the site.