Packard Motor Corporation Building

The Packard Motor Corporation Building is a nine-story industrial structure located at 319 North Broad Street featuring a steel frame with reinforced concrete and terra cotta cladding throughout its exterior. The design displays the characteristic grid-like facade typical of Chicago School principles and occupies a prominent corner position in the Callowhill neighborhood.

Constructed between 1910 and 1911 as a showroom for the Packard Motor Car Company, it reflects Philadelphia's boom period in automotive industrial infrastructure. In 1928 it was converted into the headquarters for the Philadelphia Record newspaper and served the local media industry for decades afterward.

The facade displays ornamental terra cotta detailing that reflects early 20th-century craftsmanship and industrial pride in the city's commercial buildings. Walking past, you notice how the exterior decoration emphasizes the skill of builders during this period.

The building is now divided into residential apartments and remains clearly visible from North Broad Street for exterior observation and photography. Its central location in Callowhill makes it easily accessible on foot with good sightlines from the surrounding sidewalks.

Architect Albert Kahn pioneered the use of steel frames and reinforced concrete for industrial buildings, shaping American factory design in the early 20th century. This structure stands as one of the first examples of these structural innovations that were later replicated across the nation.

Location: Pennsylvania

Architects: Albert Kahn

Architectural style: Chicago School

GPS coordinates: 39.95860,-75.16250

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:03