Guild House

Guild House is a six-story residential building with red brick walls, large windows, and a street-level entrance marked by bold lettering. The structure combines classical design elements with modern ideas, creating a distinctive presence on its city block.

Architect Robert Venturi completed this building in 1963, making it the first major postmodern example in Philadelphia's architecture. The work influenced how the city would approach building design in the decades that followed.

The building design incorporates elements from classical architecture, including a prominent Palladian window at the top of the structure.

The complex contains about ninety residential units and shared spaces for seniors in an urban neighborhood. Visitors should know this is an active residential building best viewed from the street.

The original roof design featured a gilded television antenna that playfully referenced both the city's church spires and residents' viewing habits. This tongue-in-cheek touch became a signature element of the building's design approach.

Location: Philadelphia

Inception: 1963

Architects: Robert Venturi

Architectural style: postmodern architecture

Floors above the ground: 6

GPS coordinates: 39.96180,-75.15070

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:23