Portico Row

Portico Row consists of sixteen connected residences with classical facades along Spruce Street in Philadelphia's historic district. Each home features a front building with a covered entrance area and rear structures that form a continuous residential block.

Thomas Ustick Walter designed these houses in the early 1830s before later focusing on the United States Capitol building. The project shows his skill in applying classical principles to residential construction in the rapidly growing city.

The paired houses display matching entrance porticos with Ionic columns, showing the taste of prosperous residents who lived here during the 1800s. These architectural details were a statement of wealth and social position for families in the growing city.

The complex sits on Spruce Street and is easy to reach on foot, allowing visitors to view the houses from the outside. Keep in mind that these are private residences, so respecting the privacy of current inhabitants is important during your visit.

The Historic American Buildings Survey documented these houses in 1975, creating detailed drawings of their classical features. These records preserve important information about the original design and details still visible today.