Philadelphia Architectural Style Hike 6 of 7: Best of Art Deco Buildings

2.5-3.5 hours; 4-5 miles; brisk pace between stops; best examples of Art Deco architecture in 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 original WCAU Building. The WCAU Building features all of the hallmarks of great Art Deco: vertical lines to emphasize height, prominent geometric designs, and multiple setbacks at the higher floors. After the WCAU Building we'll swing through Center City to view a mix of Art Deco banks and apartment buildings, including one with a nautical theme that may remind you of a pirate story. Then we'll trek by City Hall to take in Philadelphia's grandest Art Deco tower, and finish by checking out some outstanding Art Deco office buildings in the Spring Garden neighborhood.

If you haven't been on previous architecture style hikes with us, I guarantee you'll see Philadelphia from a new perspective. For those who have joined previous hikes, this hike features mostly new buildings. All are welcome!

As always, we will move quickly between buildings, but we'll also stop for enough time at each one to enjoy and discuss the wonderful craftsmanship. No knowledge of architecture is needed . . . just an interest in seeing beautiful places and a willingness to stay with the group.

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.