Philadelphia Architectural Style Hike #10: Best of Art Deco Buildings

2.5-3 hours, 5.5-6 miles, brisk pace between stops, highlights of Art Deco-style architecture in and around Philadelphia's Center City and Spring Garden neighborhoods, possibility of late lunch afterward if there's interest.

So I asked ChatGPT which cities are most associated with the Art Deco architectural style. Here's the list: Miami, NYC, Chicago, LA, Paris, Mumbai, Shanghai, Havana, Sao Paulo and Napier, New Zealand. Not much love for Philadelphia there. Well, as it says at the bottom of their homepage, "ChatGPT can make mistakes." Dozens of superb Art Deco buildings were constructed in Philadelphia between about 1920 and 1950. In defense of our new AI overlords, Philadelphia probably doesn't have as many Art Deco examples as some of the cities listed above. What Philadelphia may lack in quantity, however, it more than makes up for in quality.

You'll see what I mean right away, as our first stop after we meet will be the US Custom House. The Custom House features all of the hallmarks of great Art Deco: vertical lines to emphasize height, prominent geometric designs, decorative bas-reliefs inspired by nature and antiquity, and multiple setbacks at the higher floors. After the Custom House we'll swing through Center City to view a mix of stately Art Deco towers and low-rise commercial buildings with fun Art Deco flourishes. Then we'll trek to see some outstanding Art Deco office buildings in the Spring Garden neighborhood, including arguably the best one in city, which tends to be overlooked because it's off the beaten path. Finally, it's back to Center City for the grandest Art Deco tower of them all. We will move quickly between locations, while stopping for enough time to enjoy and discuss each one. As always, no knowledge of architecture is needed . . . just an interest in seeing beautiful places and a willingness to stay with the group.

If you're considering this hike, please note that it is a longer time commitment and a longer distance than most of the other hikes in the series.

GENERAL RULES : ••Hike at my pace. ••Hike lengths are approx: allow 30min -1hr extra. ••Donation requested. All monies donated to recreational charities like Natural Lands and the Friends of Wissahickon. •• For ~360 events each year donate $20 (2025), $30 for 2 or family or donate $5 for each event. ••Pay in person or at Zelle (2152474459) or at mrbasketball.net/HIKEpay.html . Thanks.
Yearly donation $15 July-Aug; $10 Sept-Nov; Dec new year.