A regular reader here will tell you in my time living in the Philadelphia area for 25 years, and even further back having visited Philly since a wee one, I have a fond connection to the Wanamaker Department Store Building, and going to many times to mention, to hear one of the world's largest pipe organs in concert. It was a sad day when the store folded, but then Macy's moved in. Back in March, everything was in question, when Macy's announced they were shuttering the store, leaving the magnificent building, the organ and all its history dating back to 1911, in limbo. A month later New York developer TF Cornerstone won the complete control of the historic place in an auction, which was good news as they are known for adapting historic structures. And looks like some of my ideas I was hoping for will win out. The main atrium and organ will remain intact, while the surrounding areas will feature art exhibits, and galleries, and many music concerts will also take place, and also many drag shows. One already took place with Philly's own Sapphira Cristal, who brought the house down with an operatic performance. With the building void of racks of merchandise, the acoustics are now phenomenal. After that, there have been a few more concerts, and the last organ concert and Christmas Light Show will take place this holiday season, before the building closes and will undergo a 2-year renovation. But once opened again, there will be the art galleries and exhibitions, the music concert venue, eateries and a restaurant on what were the main floors. I understand there also may be a bit of retail. The upper floors will be become offices and educational spaces, and above those 600 loft style apartments are planned, all the while keeping the infamous Greek and Egyptian Halls, and the Crystal Tea Room, still going forward for event space. A win win you ask me. I understand talks are also in full swing with the symphony and Philly Opera to have a few performances with the organ. When I was down in Philly last, I met my ex-boss for lunch, who is on the board of the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, so he has access to the building. We went over and the building looks even more opulent without everything in it! Though it did seem odd to see it empty.
So kids, it looks like the Eagle, and "Meet me at the Eagle" will rise again!!!!
Glad to hear of this happy outcome!
ReplyDeleteThank heavens right? It was a no brainer to incorporate art and music in the space I though. I also thought I heard there could also be a small museum space as a history of the building and Wanamaker's with news and artifacts from its long-storied history. Don't know where that ended up at.
DeleteFantastic building - so pleased it's been saved. Jx
ReplyDeleteQualifies as a 'Gosh!'.
DeleteYou have no idea the relief you two.
DeleteGreat news! The empty space is magnificent. Let’s meet at the Eagle.
ReplyDeleteFirst time the building has been empty it's since opening.
DeleteDarling Mistress,
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful to know that this magnificent building will, once again, rise from the ashes. It is a most intriguing collection of architectural styles and one can imagine that it will be a perfectly fabulous home to concerts and galleries as well as more commercial enterprises. It would be just the place we can imagine dancing the light fantastic at a tea dance. Yippee.
Over the years it has had some fabulous classical concerts. And when that organ plays it is literally building shaking. I believe there are over 35,000 pipes to the organ. My first visit ever was with my grandmother as a wee tyke. We took in the train, to go shopping. We entered, and I can still recall my jaw dropped. Christmas was especially magical there.
DeleteI saw this in the papers here and was overjoyed!!! The best plan really and tying in music should have been a no brainer your right. But other art and culture is brilliant and a good plan for this magnificent building. I'm sure John Wanamaker would approve. Your picture of the empty space are amazing. The eagle, I dare say, looks at peace.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Amazing looking empty. I think the whole city is happy mostly with the plan. And the Philadelphia Orchestra has had a long history with the organ and space, so we are overjoyed.
ReplyDeleteMy, you have a very large organ!
ReplyDeleteSo great to see such an amazing space reinvented rather than demolished!
ReplyDeleteThere would have been a revolt if the building had been torn down and the organ relocated.
DeleteThe church opposite has just sold it's organ for £3k. It cost the buyer £6k to have it taken apart and placed in a container, ready to be shipped to Sweden where it will be repaired and installed whereever the buyer wants it. New organs cost between £300-£400k each.
ReplyDeleteImagine a price tag for this organ then!!! Disassembling and moving the Wanamaker Organ would be an enormous, years-long undertaking. Because the organ is a designated historical landmark, the process would be complicated and lengthy even before any physical work could begin.
DeleteThank the goddess! And Drag shows, too? Even better.
ReplyDeleteApartments? How much do you think rent would be there? I would imagine it's cheaper than San Diego.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see. A two bedroom in Philly currently is most likely between 1, 800 and 3, 000. And condos and penthouses are well over 1.5 Mil. Ill be interested to see what the loft will go for.
DeleteI'm betting those loft apartments are going to be pricy as hell.
ReplyDeleteFrom what a understand...they are going to be ranging from efficiency sized lofts...all the way up to three and four bedrooms, which would encompass three levels.
DeleteSo glad to read your article and others on the redevelopment of Wanamakers.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a state treasure and proper to be used for culture in Philadelphia.:)
I remember my grandfather taking me to Wanamakers to get my first proper gentleman’s suit for my high school graduation and the elderly tailor that fitted me for the suit. Afterwards going to another Philadelphia landmark, the Horn and Hardart automat for lunch.:)
An old Philadelphian
I am always fascinated by the automats. Never been to one as they were gone before I was around. I would have loved them. They should bring them back!
DeleteNeat building.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that beautiful building won't be demolished! They probably roped off the eagle to discourage you from climbing on it to take a photo: ride 'em cowboy, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'd never!!!!!!!!!
DeleteNo better building to be preserved in Philadelphia like Wanamakers and that beautiful organ. And of course everyone who went to Wanamakers would say meet you at the eagle !
ReplyDeleteFond memories of that time and place when my mother and grandmother took me to buy my school clothes at Wanamakers and then having a delicious lunch at the Crystal Tea Room.
Could always count on my sweet gran spoiling me at Wanamakers :)
I remember getting my first high heels at Wanamakers at age 16 with grans full approval when other girls my age were not allowed to wear them. As well as my first miniskirt in 1967, also with grans approval :)
Easter Sundays were so special with mass at any one of the fine Catholic Churches in Philadelphia, window shopping at Wanamakers and having Sunday brunch at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel.
I wish the young people of today could have had the fine living experiences we took so much for granted back then.
Pan in Wynnewood
I couldn't agree more with your comment. I feel like the newer generation is missing out on so many fun things that we used to have, and they will never now the large emporiums that we used to shopping. It's funny, it seems to be a consistent comment that all of our grandparents are who started us shopping at Wanamaker's when we were little. And we had a beautiful Wanamaker's in Harrisburg, but my grandmother always took the train down to Philly to go to Center City. What's your horse made it all more special, a nice train ride and then shopping in that beautiful store.
DeleteI grew up in Trenton and there were times my friends and I would skip class in High School and take the Reading train from West Trenton down to Philly for the day. We'd walk around downtown and Wanamaker's was a must see along with the market under the Reading station, although the men's room at Reading station gave me the creeps. Good times. Good memories.
ReplyDelete