Society Hill Towers

Society Hill Towers is a residential complex consisting of three 32-story buildings with floor-to-ceiling windows constructed from raw concrete and located in Philadelphia's historic district. The complex houses approximately 600 units served by multiple elevators distributed across all three towers.

Architect I. M. Pei designed these residential towers in 1964 as part of an urban renewal initiative that transformed the Society Hill neighborhood. The project marked a significant shift in the area's development, introducing modernist architecture to a historic district.

The striking concrete structures define the neighborhood's character through their clean geometric forms, creating a strong visual contrast with the colonial buildings surrounding them. Visitors notice immediately how this modern design stands apart from the older architecture in the immediate area.

The complex sits within a historic neighborhood, so walking the surrounding streets allows you to view both the modern buildings and the older structures alongside them. You can observe the architecture from public spaces and see how the buildings appear from different angles throughout the area.

The towers received the American Institute of Architects' Institute Honor Award and Progressive Architecture Award for Design, recognition that highlighted the project's significance in modern residential design. This early acclaim helped establish the complex as a notable example of its architectural approach.

Location: Philadelphia

Inception: 1964

Architects: I. M. Pei

Architectural style: brutalism

Floors above the ground: 32

Elevators: 9

GPS coordinates: 39.94550,-75.14470

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:49