One South Broad

One South Broad is an Art Deco office tower in Center City Philadelphia, standing approximately 472 feet tall with roughly 465,000 square feet of commercial space. The building features a three-story gallery lobby that connects to the adjacent Widener Building.

The tower was completed in 1932 and originally housed Wanamaker's Men's Store on its lower floors. Philadelphia National Bank took over the building in 1952 and converted it for banking operations.

The structure displays the architectural vision of John Torrey Windrim with strong vertical lines and geometric patterns that define the Art Deco style. These design elements shape the facade and give the building its distinctive character in the downtown skyline.

The building provides direct access to public transportation, with multiple subway and bus stations within a two-minute walk. Its central location makes it easy to reach and well-connected to the city's transit network.

The building houses a 17-ton bell that rings every hour except Sundays, commemorating John Wanamaker through a specially constructed bell chamber. This audible element is a distinctive feature that visitors often miss while walking past.

Location: Philadelphia

Inception: 1932

Architects: John T. Windrim

Architectural style: Art Deco

Floors above the ground: 28

GPS coordinates: 39.95139,-75.16361

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45