Equitable Trust Building, United States historic place
The Equitable Trust Building is a 21-story skyscraper on South Broad Street in Philadelphia, designed by architect Horace Trumbauer and completed in 1925. Its stone exterior features Gothic Revival details with pointed arches and intricate decorative elements, and it originally housed both the trust company offices and commercial spaces.
The building was completed in 1925 for the Equitable Trust Company and later underwent major changes when the company merged with Chase National Bank in 1930, which is now JP Morgan Chase. The Locust Theatre inside operated from 1927 until it closed in 1980 and was demolished in 1982 to make way for a parking garage.
The building's name comes from the Equitable Trust Company, its original owner and an important financial institution in Philadelphia. Its fortress-like design with castle-inspired details reflects how the city wanted to display strength and tradition in its downtown, where the building still stands as a reminder of that era.
The building is located in downtown Philadelphia on South Broad Street near City Hall, surrounded by shops and other offices in an active pedestrian-friendly area. The neighborhood makes it easy to explore the wider historic district on foot while visiting the surrounding downtown streets.
The building's facade originally displayed the letter 'E' in every window, a branding detail installed by the original owner to mark its presence in the city. The old theater marquee still hangs on the exterior today, serving as a visible reminder of the building's past as an entertainment venue.
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