Independence Visitor Center

Bittenbender Construction served as the General Contractor for one of the most visited tourist attractions in Philadelphia. The Independence Visitor Center (IVC) underwent a major, multi-year renovation and expansion while remaining open to the public. This was the largest renovation to Independence Mall since the early 2000’s. The renovation was intended to transform the space from a conventional “visitor’s center” into a state-of-the-art, 21^st century entertainment, experience and educational center.

The upgrades improved the facilities amenities, technology and enhanced the overall visitor experience. The first phase of renovations included the expansion of the gift shop and the construction of a new three (3) story, 5,800 square foot steel and masonry addition. The second phase of renovations included two (2) new theaters where visitors could watch the IVC’s Welcome Film of Philadelphia upon admission, as well as state of the art interactive exhibit experiences, and a new National Park Service Ranger desk. The third phase of renovations included construction of a dedicated Visitor Information desk and a new 42-foot-long bank of interactive digital screens that promote regional attractions in the area. The plans also included relocating the cafe, new public restrooms, an enlarged gift shop (50% larger), increased storage space, and an enlarged outdoor rooftop terrace for public gathering and private events. The schedule was critical for Phase 1 of the project, as the owner required that this phase of renovation be complete in time for the busiest season of the year, Summer.