The Bellwether District

One of the latest frontlines in the fight against cancer will have a home in a revitalized Philadelphia industrial site that Ballard Spahr is helping bring back to life.

In March 2026, nuclear science company TerraPower Isotopes announced plans to lease a 250,000-square-foot, build-to-suit facility in The Bellwether District that it will use to support the development of cutting-edge cancer treatments. The facility is part of the 1,300-acre former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery site, which the vertically integrated, multi-strategy real estate investment company HRP Group is transforming into an industrial and innovation campus. A Ballard Spahr team led by Real Estate Development and Property Rights Group Leader Matthew N. McClure is handling the land use, condominium, construction financing, and real estate development work for the project. Matt is joined on the team by Real Estate Development and Property Rights Partner Ashley E. DeLuca, Tax Practice Group Leader Christopher A. Jones, and Real Estate Development and Property Rights Associate Meredith St. Clair Trego.

The future home of leaders in e-commerce, logistics, and life sciences, The Bellwether District is poised to be a major economic driver for its South and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods—the TerraPower Isotopes project alone is estimated to generate $450 million in private investment and 225 jobs over the next three years, and more tenants have expressed interest in becoming TerraPower Isotopes’ neighbors.

“The Bellwether District is a shining example of what creative and strategic use of real estate can do,” Matt said. “This project brings the site back to its highest and best use, and is making room for mold-breaking companies to change what tomorrow looks like. It’s been an honor for me and my team to be involved.”