Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published in the Spring 2025 issue of Extant, a publication of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
Photo: Peter Woodall
Name: Francis R. Strawbridge House
Location: 5710 Wissahickon Avenue
Built: 1906
Threat: Vacancy
The Francis R. Strawbridge House in Germantown is a significant example of early 20th century Georgian architecture. Built between 1905 and 1906, the house was designed by the esteemed firm Brockie & Hastings for Francis R. Strawbridge, son of the co-founder of Strawbridge & Clothier, one of Philadelphia’s most prominent department stores.
Recognizing its architectural and historical significance, the Keeping Society of Philadelphia successfully nominated the Strawbridge House for inclusion on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 2015. This designation protects the building from demolition and inappropriate alterations. However, it does not obligate the owner to maintain the structure beyond the basic safety and security standards enforced by the Department of Licenses & Inspections. As a result, the house has remained vacant and is decaying, raising serious concerns about its long-term preservation.
In 1957, Alden Park Apartments purchased the property to expand its holdings, encompassing the neighboring former estate of Justus C. Strawbridge. While the three 1926 Jacobean-style apartment towers of Alden Park have been carefully maintained and restored over the years, the Strawbridge House, the last physical remnant of the Strawbridge family’s presence in the area, has been neglected.
To draw attention to its plight, the Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance have been advocating for the building’s preservation. In February, members decorated the house with Valentine’s Day hearts, symbolizing the community’s love for this historic structure and the need for action.
Photo: Bradley Maule
Name: Wanamaker Building
Location: 1300 Market Street
Built: 1910
Threat: Vacancy
The Wanamaker Building, an iconic Center City landmark, faces significant challenges following Macy’s announcement to close this location in March. The building was designed in 1910 by Daniel H. Burnham, with later renovations and expansions carried out to accommodate its evolving use as a retail space.
Macy’s closure raises concerns about the future of the building, particularly its Grand Court, which houses the renowned Wanamaker Organ and the bronze eagle statue. The Grand Court’s historical importance is safeguarded by its inclusion on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, which the Preservation Alliance nominated in 2017. Notably, it’s one of only five interior spaces in Philadelphia with such protection, including City Hall’s Council Chambers and the Family Court Building. This designation ensures that any alterations to the Grand Court require approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
TF Cornerstone, the current owner of the first through third floors of the building, has expressed a commitment to preserving these historic features. Recognizing the organ’s cultural significance, the company assures that it will remain a central element within the space. TF Cornerstone is also in the process of purchasing floors four through seven, which they plan to convert to residential use. However, the future of the retail areas remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing about their adaptive reuse.
As plans for the building’s future unfold, it is crucial to balance redevelopment with the preservation of its historic elements, ensuring that the Wanamaker Building remains a cherished Center City landmark.
Photo: Michael Bixler
Name: 17 Elliott Avenue
Location: 17 Elliott Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsyvania
Built: 1900
Threat: Demolition
The house at 17 Elliott Avenue in Bryn Mawr was designed in 1900 by renowned architect William Lightfoot Price in the Arts and Crafts style. It embodies Price’s vision for human-scaled, high-quality suburban design and represents a pivotal moment in his career, bridging his early suburban commissions with his later utopian communities like Rose Valley. The original materials of the house retain remarkable integrity, making it a rare surviving middle-class residence by Price. Additionally, the home features the region’s first attached car garage, an architectural innovation reflecting the dawn of the automobile age.
Beyond its architectural value, 17 Elliott Avenue holds deep historical significance related to women’s history and LGBTQ+ history. The original owner, Helen Sleeper Pearson, was a pioneering educator at local girls’ schools and one of Smith College’s earliest graduates. She shared the home with Dr. Helen Dean King, a groundbreaking biologist whose research advanced the field of genetics. Their story highlights the often overlooked contributions of women in science and academia at the turn of the century.
Despite its importance, the home faces an uncertain future as Lower Merion Township commissioners are actively debating its historic designation. With nearby historic homes already lost to commercial expansion, preserving 17 Elliott Avenue is crucial to maintaining the township’s architectural and cultural heritage. Listing the property on Lower Merion’s Historic Resource Inventory as a Class I resource would ensure its survival, protecting an irreplaceable link to the past and honoring the pioneering women who lived there.
I attended Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and lived at the ZBT house on Schoolhouse Lane. It was a grand white painted brick home with wooden paneling throughout the first floor. It had a grand living room, dining room and large kitchen. There was even a servants back staircase that led into the pantry out side the kitchen. I imagine that before the partying began at the ZBT house the house was a grand living space for one of Philadelphia’s grand families.