Philadelphia Architecture Hike 11 of 13: Best of Art Deco Style

2.5-3.5 hours, 4-5 miles, brisk pace between stops, best examples of Art Deco architecture in Philadelphia, 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.

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, and multiple setbacks at the higher floors. After the Custom House, we'll swing through Center City to view a series of Art Deco office and apartment buildings, including one with a nautical theme that was inspired by a historical pirate. Then we'll wrap all of the way around City Hall to take in Philadelphia's grandest Art Deco towers. Finally, we'll end at a stunning former school on Spring Garden Street that most people miss, which features Byzantine mosaics in a piercing shade of blue that you've never seen on a building before.

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.

GENERAL RULES: ••Hike at my pace. ••Hike lengths are approx.: allow 30 min - 1 hour extra. ••Donation requested. All monies donated to recreational charities like Natural Lands and the Friends of Wissahickon. ••For ~360 events each year donate $20 (2026), $30 for 2 or family or donate $5 for each event. ••Pay in person or at Zelle (Sidney Goldstein 215-247-4459). Please text Sidney after you donate so he can properly give you credit. The yearly donation goes down to $15 in July; to $10 in Sept-Nov; Dec new year. Thanks.