The ornamental plaster coffered ceiling in the banking hall of the former Fidelity-Philadelphia Trust Company Building at 123 S. Broad Street. | Photo: Michael Bixler

Meetings of the Philadelphia Historical Commission are often dominated by frequent and predictable matters, like the review of proposed windows on a historic building or alleviating an owner’s concerns about a nomination to the historic register. At its meeting on March 13, 2026, however, the Historical Commission included a rare item on its agenda: the nomination of a building interior to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.

While the local register includes over 10,000 building exteriors, the Main Banking Room of the former Fidelity-Philadelphia Trust Company Building at 123 S. Broad Street has become only the 6th interior designation in the register’s 70-year history.

Built in 1928, the exterior was added to the Philadelphia Register in 1973, followed by the National Register in 1978. It currently houses a branch of Wells Fargo Bank. The architects, Simon & Simon, specialized in public and commercial buildings, but also designed the Rodeph Shalom synagogue on North Broad Street.

The Main Banking Room is a significant example of the Classical Revival style typical of banking institutions in the early 20th century. It features stained glass windows by the studio of Nicola D’Ascenzo, including the large piece, History of Philadelphia, which depicts historical figures and events, and sculptural elements by the noted New York City firm Piccirilli Brothers, including a female and a male figure, representing night and day, framing a large clock on the east wall.

The marble knee walls and teller stations were listed as “non-contributing” to give the owner future flexibility in adapting the space. | Photo: Michael Bixler

The owner did not object to the designation, but requested that the marble knee walls and bronze registers along the north and east wall, and the marble teller stations along the south wall, be classified as non-contributing. The nominator, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, was amenable to the request.

Historical Commission members, however, expressed concern about the “non-contributing” label, and struggled to find language that would allow flexibility for the use of the space, while still providing some protection to the elements in question, acknowledging that they are in fact part of the design of the interior. It was also pointed out that, owing to the designation, their removal would require repairs that would need to be reviewed by the Historical Commission.

The nomination was approved, with the exclusion of the knee walls, bronze registers, and marble teller stations, but with the caveat that their removal would require documentation that would include photographs and measurements, and salvage, if possible.

The remainder of the meeting was taken up with requested changes to three historic properties.

The National Liberty Museum at 321-23 Chestnut Street sought approval to install five murals on several infilled window openings on its east facade, which would “highlight the museum’s mission and values.” The 1905 building was designed by architect Theophilus P. Chandler Jr. for the E. W. Clark Bank. It was individually designated in 1970 and listed as contributing to the Old City Historic District in 2003.

The museum’s proposed method was to paint the murals on parachute cloth and attach them with a gel adhesive. The Architectural Committee had raised concerns that, because the removal method would be mechanical, it could risk damaging the historic facade. It recommended painting the murals on panels that could be attached to the infill. The Historical Commission approved the latter method, although public comment expressed concern that it opened up the possibility of other historic buildings asking to use their walls for promotion.

St. John’s Baptist Church at 1601 S. 13th Street. | Photo: Michael Bixler

The owners of the former St. John’s Baptist Church at 1601 S. 13th Street returned with a revised request to convert the 1892 building into residential units. At issue had been the choice of roofing material and the size, number, and style of dormers to be added, with the Historical Commission concerned about their compatibility with the building’s architecture and the owner seeking increased interior space and financial viability. After the applicant presented another revision addressing the concerns, the Commission gave an in-concept approval.

In Chestnut Hill, the owners of 8226 Germantown Avenue proposed the construction of a four-story mixed-use building and parking spaces on an open portion of the quarter-acre lot. The proposal does not alter a 1760 stone house on the parcel, known as the Detwiler House. Designated in 1957, it is thought to be one of the oldest extant buildings in the Chestnut Hill historic corridor.

The plans require a change in zoning, from the current RSA-3 (Residential Single Family) to CMX-2 (Neighborhood Commercial Mixed-Use) to allow for three residential units above a ground floor commercial space. A hearing at the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and a meeting with the Chestnut Hill Community Association, the Registered Community Organization, are both scheduled for this month. After addressing Architectural Committee concerns about the building’s size and materials, the applicant received in-concept approval from the Historical Commission.