30th Street Station

30th Street Station is a neoclassical railway hub in University City, Philadelphia, featuring a grand waiting hall with travertine walls and a coffered ceiling painted in gold, red, and cream. The hall opens onto multiple levels with platforms, ticket counters, and passageways that link long-distance and commuter trains.

The Pennsylvania Railroad began construction in 1927 after securing tunnel rights beneath the Schuylkill River to replace the older Broad Street Station. The building opened in 1933 and remained a key hub for East Coast rail traffic.

Travelers often pause beneath the high ceiling to look upward or meet arriving friends near the memorial statue before heading to the platforms. The name refers to 30th Street, which runs parallel to the tracks through University City.

The building sits west of the Schuylkill River and can be entered through several doorways that lead to different levels inside. Travelers should allow time to move between platforms or reach the bus connections outside.

A bronze statue inside honors railroad workers who served in World War II and stands freely in the hall, where travelers often pause briefly. A glass-enclosed skyway links the building to the Cira Centre, an office tower completed in 2005.

Location: Philadelphia

Location: University City

Inception: 1933

Architects: Graham, Anderson, Probst & White

Official opening: 1933

Architectural style: Neoclassicalism

Website: http://deutsch.amtrak.com/amtrak/ende/24/_www_amtrak_com/servlet/ContentServer?c=am2Station&pagename=am%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&p=1237405732508&cid=1229726270614

GPS coordinates: 39.95582,-75.18240

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:02