Sky-High Rooftop Garden Debuts at Philadelphia’s AKA University City

AKA University City in Philadelphia recently debuted its seasonal gardening program amongst the clouds. Housed in the building’s Level 28, a 25,000-square-foot, full-floor luxury lifestyle club overlooking the city, the new amenity is Philly’s tallest communal herb garden, more than 400 feet in the sky. Custom garden boxes were installed and are available for guests to help plant and maintain, with the herbs offered for guests to use in personal cooking or cocktails in their guestroom’s full kitchen.

© AKA University City

Level 28 is also home to a.lounge, the hotel’s private cocktail bar. The lounge will also use the herbs, like mint, basil, rosemary, thyme and more, in new cocktails on the menu.

“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 flair to a dish or cocktail, or just want to feel connected to neighbors,” said Larry Korman, president, AKA. “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.”

© AKA University City

AKA University City also supplies gardening tools, like gloves and scissors, and watering cans for those guests who would like to join in the maintenance. Jason Micciche of Stechert and Micciche Custom Woodworking designed the garden beds using cedar woods to match the cedar decking of the outdoor terrace.