Thomas Sully Residence

The Thomas Sully Residence is a three-story brick rowhouse located on Spruce Street in Philadelphia's center, featuring a gabled roof, a single dormer window, and a pilaster-framed entrance in the rightmost bay. The structure demonstrates the typical characteristics of Philadelphia rowhouse design and sits between 5th and 6th Streets.

The building was constructed in 1820 and later received additions during the 1860s, reflecting the evolving needs and styles of the era. A prominent painter lived here from 1828 to 1829, during his extensive stay in Philadelphia spanning much of his career.

The house carries the name of one of early America's most prolific portrait painters and stands as a reminder of the artistic community that thrived in Philadelphia during the 1800s. Walking past it today, you can sense the connection between domestic life and creative work in that era.

The property remains privately owned and is visible only from the street, where historical markers identify its significance. Visitors can view it while walking through the neighborhood, but access to the interior is not available.

The rowhouse exemplifies a construction method common among Philadelphia's middle and upper classes, where families expanded their homes with additions as needs changed. The visual difference between the original 1820 structure and the 1860s extensions reveals how residents adapted their spaces over decades.