PHILADELPHIA—AKA University City recently launched a new “gardening program amongst the clouds.” Set atop the building’s exclusive Level 28 overlooking the Philadelphia skyline, this new amenity will be the city’s tallest communal herb garden, rising over 400 feet in the sky. Custom-made garden boxes have been installed and will be available for residents to help plant, maintain, and use for personal cooking or cocktails in their full kitchens—giving residents and guests yet another sense of home during their stay at AKA, the world’s most livable hotels. Herbs such as mint, basil, rosemary, thyme, and more will also be harvested and used by a.lounge, the private cocktail bar also located on Level 28—the 25,000 square foot full-floor luxury lifestyle club for AKA University City residents and guests.
“We’re excited to offer residents of AKA University City a space to come together as a community and have access to fresh ingredients, whether they’re looking to flex their green thumbs, add some flare to a dish or cocktail, or just want to feel connected to neighbors,” said AKA President Larry Korman. “We are also always looking to expand our sustainability efforts at AKA, and this program offers a sustainable way for residents to have access to fresh ingredients.”
The rooftop gardens will feature an assortment of fresh seasonal herbs including mint, rosemary, parsley, thyme, basil, dill, sage, oregano, and chives; all available for AKA residents to pick and use for cooking or fresh cocktails. Gardening tools such as gloves, scissors, and watering cans will be available onsite for those who would like to help in the maintenance and upkeep of the gardens. To celebrate the new gardens, AKA University City will be adding new specialty cocktails using some of the herbs grown on the terrace, such as mint, basil, and rosemary, to the drink menu at a.lounge. AKA residents and guests are invited to come see the gardens, enjoy fresh summertime herb-infused cocktails, and even plant herb seeds themselves to be harvested in the future.
The custom-made herb garden beds were designed by Jason Micciche of Stechert and Micciche Custom Woodworking, who picked cedar wood to match the existing cedar decking of the outdoor terrace, ensuring the gardens seamlessly integrate with the surrounding landscaping and design. In partnership with Patino Landscape Group, AKA University City prepped the outdoor a. terrace, a sprawling, 5,000 square foot, four-season outdoor greenscaped terrace 400 feet above street level outfitted with lush garden enclaves, cozy fire pit and sweeping views of the city.
